• 90 per cent of dog owners take more pictures of their pet than their partners
  • 86 per cent of dog owners prefer to have their pet as their screen saver
  • 45 per cent always use a picture of their pet as their social media profile

Dog owners are constantly catching their ‘dogs on film’ with nearly a third (31 per cent) taking daily pictures, according to new research* from Direct Line Pet Insurance and K9 Media. An incredible one in five dog owners admit that their phone gallery is 75 per cent full with pet pictures as 90 per cent of dog owners reveal they take more pictures of their pet than their partners.

Edd Barclay, head of Direct Line Pet Insurance, comments: “When it comes to your phone or social media profile, pets win over partners. The majority (86 per cent) admitted they would prefer their pet as their screensaver and 45 per cent always use a picture of their pet as their social media profile.

“Dog owners are passionate about their hounds, as they are very much part of the family and owners are more than happy to share and show off their canine friends.”

The research commissioned by Direct Line and K9 Media revealed that out of the respondents that do not take daily pictures of their pet, 72 per cent take weekly pictures. Dog owners mostly do this to capture special moments (45 per cent) and to capture something funny to share with friends and family (29 per cent). Keen to catch them in the act, 15 per cent of pet owners try to capture their dog doing something naughty.

Dog owners up and down the country have been uploading videos of their dogs dancing to www.dothepetstep.com but do hurry to register your vote, as the competition closes at 10am 17th September 2013. The 15 pets with the most votes will star in Direct Line’s next wave of TV adverts on Animal Planet channel in October and voters can win a holiday to South Africa, an HD TV and many other prizes.

Notes to editors

* Research conducted by specialist pet research firm petbuzz/K9 Media Ltd, on behalf of Direct Line Pet Insurance speaking with 1,407 dog owners

For further information, please contact:

Claire Foster
PR Manager
Direct Line
Tel: 020 8285 8682
Mob: 0208 313 5741
Email: claire.foster@directlinegroup.co.uk

Direct Line

Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides car, home, travel and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on‐line.

Direct Line general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Direct Line and UK Insurance limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc. Customers can find out more about Direct Line products or get a quote by calling 0345 878 5587 or visiting www.directline.com