The Rise of Dog Boutiques
The concept of the pampered pet is hardly new.
The Roman Emperor Caligula kept his horse Incitatus in a marble stable, giving it purple robes and its own slaves, while Lord Byron's dog Boatswain was even made the subject of one of Byron's poems.
However, as the American pet care industry has grown to generate tens of billions of dollars in revenue in recent decades, wealthy pet owners (especially those who own dogs) have begun to search for more and more lavish ways to cosset their pooches.
It was in such an environment that a new genre of pet store, dog boutiques, was born.
Dog boutiques, within the pet care industry, can be described as any store catering specifically to opulent or expensive dog merchandise and services.
Most offer a wide array of typical dog products, jazzed up to suit a choosier consumer base: organic or hand-baked dog treats, designer collars and clothing (including tuxedos, ballroom gowns and eveningwear), jewelry and beds.
Some boutiques might also feature specialty grooming, anesthesia-free teeth cleaning, or dog-boarding services, all at a premium price.
While most dog boutiques may be expensive, a select few offer services in the range of only the most exclusive clientele.
Pendants and tags, crafted from diamond and white gold, can run into the tens-of-thousands of dollars.
Other in-house amenities can also command high prices: an hour-long massage at New York City dog boutique Ritzy Canine Carriage House costs $60, while a night in the Presidential Suite at the same establishment will run an owner $175.
Some boutiques, such as Far Fetched Acres of New York, will even pick lucky pooches up and transport them to a country ranch for the duration of their boarding time.
Considering the high prices charged by many such businesses, and the money spent annually on products have often been argued to be extraneous, the rising popularity of dog boutiques has come under criticism by some who claim such stores to be unnecessary and excessive luxuries.
In contrast, proponents claim that dogs are no less deserving of pampering as humans are, and that owners have every right to indulge their pets if they are financial capable, with dog boutiques providing a primary means.
Regardless of the opposing arguments however, there is no trend in the pet industry that suggests that owners are growing any less willing to treat their dogs to exclusive goods and services, indicating that dog boutiques, at least for the time being, are here to stay.
The Roman Emperor Caligula kept his horse Incitatus in a marble stable, giving it purple robes and its own slaves, while Lord Byron's dog Boatswain was even made the subject of one of Byron's poems.
However, as the American pet care industry has grown to generate tens of billions of dollars in revenue in recent decades, wealthy pet owners (especially those who own dogs) have begun to search for more and more lavish ways to cosset their pooches.
It was in such an environment that a new genre of pet store, dog boutiques, was born.
Dog boutiques, within the pet care industry, can be described as any store catering specifically to opulent or expensive dog merchandise and services.
Most offer a wide array of typical dog products, jazzed up to suit a choosier consumer base: organic or hand-baked dog treats, designer collars and clothing (including tuxedos, ballroom gowns and eveningwear), jewelry and beds.
Some boutiques might also feature specialty grooming, anesthesia-free teeth cleaning, or dog-boarding services, all at a premium price.
While most dog boutiques may be expensive, a select few offer services in the range of only the most exclusive clientele.
Pendants and tags, crafted from diamond and white gold, can run into the tens-of-thousands of dollars.
Other in-house amenities can also command high prices: an hour-long massage at New York City dog boutique Ritzy Canine Carriage House costs $60, while a night in the Presidential Suite at the same establishment will run an owner $175.
Some boutiques, such as Far Fetched Acres of New York, will even pick lucky pooches up and transport them to a country ranch for the duration of their boarding time.
Considering the high prices charged by many such businesses, and the money spent annually on products have often been argued to be extraneous, the rising popularity of dog boutiques has come under criticism by some who claim such stores to be unnecessary and excessive luxuries.
In contrast, proponents claim that dogs are no less deserving of pampering as humans are, and that owners have every right to indulge their pets if they are financial capable, with dog boutiques providing a primary means.
Regardless of the opposing arguments however, there is no trend in the pet industry that suggests that owners are growing any less willing to treat their dogs to exclusive goods and services, indicating that dog boutiques, at least for the time being, are here to stay.
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