Chihuahuas are not accessories warns pet insurer

Mon, 02 Feb 2009

The release of the film Beverley Hills Chihuahua in cinemas across the UK is expected to spark a surge in sales of the handbag -sized dog .

Sales of chihuahuas in the US soared after the release of the movie there, and Sainsburys Pet Insurance believes that the trend will escalate in Britain with owners such as Cheryl Cole, Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Katie Price, Jonathan Ross and Paris Hilton strengthening the breed's popularity.

However, Sainsbury's is warning prospective buyers not to base their choice of pet purely on celebrity fashions . The cost of looking after a pedigree dog, such as a chihuahua, is typically far higher than that of a crossbreed. The most frequent claim for a small pedigree dog is for cardiac disease, which can run into thousands of pounds to treat. This can be very expensive for owners without pet insurance .

Neal Devine, pet insurance manager for Sainsbury's, said: "It is essential people understand the physical, mental and financial needs of a particular breed before it is purchased."
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