Why do Americans love watching movies with their dogs?

This story version has been formatted as an on-air script for broadcast outlets. See the original research story here.

DOGS MAY BE MAN’S BEST FRIEND, BUT ARE THEY THE BEST MOVIE COMPANION?

A NEW STUDY REVEALS 43 PERCENT OF AMERICANS WOULD RATHER WATCH A MOVIE WITH THEIR DOG THAN THEIR PARTNER.

THE POLL OF 2,000 U-S DOG OWNERS SAID THAT’S BECAUSE THEIR DOGS DON’T INTERRUPT (44%), DON’T ASK QUESTIONS (42%) AND ARE BETTER CUDDLERS (35%).

CONDUCTED BY TALKER RESEARCH ON BEHALF OF ACANA PET FOOD, THE STUDY FOUND THAT MOST (93%) SAID THEIR DOGS ARE ABLE TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE SCREEN AND A THIRD (30%) SAY THEY PREFER CLASSIC TV SHOWS AND CLASSIC MOVIES. 

SO EVEN OUR FURRY BEST FRIENDS CAN’T GET ENOUGH OF THE CLASSICS. 

OTHER GENRES PEOPLE BELIEVE THEIR DOGS PREFER INCLUDE NATURE (29%), CARTOONS (25%), ADVENTURES (18%), COMEDIES (16%) AND DRAMAS (10%).

WHAT MAKES DOGS THE PERFECT MOVIE COMPANION?

• They don’t interrupt - 44%
• They don’t ask questions - 42%
• They are better cuddlers - 35%
• They fall asleep - 33%
• They sit still - 32%
• They don’t spoil anything - 29%
• They aren’t as loud - 23%

Survey methodology:

This random double-opt-in survey of 2,000 American dog owners was commissioned by ACANA between June 3 and June 6, 2024. It was conducted by market research company Talker Research, whose team members are members of the Market Research Society (MRS) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).