This is how Hungarians go shopping with their dogs – online survey

According to data from the Central Statistical Office, nearly 900 thousand dogs were officially registered in Hungary in 2024. In addition to mixed-breed dogs, the most popular breeds in Hungary include dachshunds, German shepherds, Yorkshire terriers, Labrador retrievers, French bulldogs and puli. Etele Plaza, officially certified as a Dog-Friendly Place, conducted an online survey with more than 600 Hungarian dog owners on the occasion of the acquired trademark. According to the results of the research, four out of ten respondents often shop with their pets in the malls, two-thirds of those surveyed arrive at the shopping center with their four-legged friend by car, and far fewer choose to walk (14%) or take public transportation (18%). The limited number of dog-friendly stores, parking, and the reactions of other customers make the shared experience more difficult for owners.

The majority of respondents (63%) usually shop with their pets within an hour, with only a fraction (6%) spending more than two hours in a shopping center. After the pet store, dogs most often follow their owners to cafes and clothing stores. Most buyers (40%) spend between 10,000 and 25,000 forints per month on their dogs, but a similar proportion (35%) spend between 25,000 and 50,000 forints on their four-legged friends. More than two-thirds (68%) spend the most on food, while for many (13%) the vet and vitamins (5%) represent the biggest expenses. A third of buyers say they would buy more if there were an even greater proportion of dog-friendly stores in shopping malls.

According to the research, drinking bowls placed in the common areas of malls are the greatest help for pet owners, but it is important for them to have as many dog-friendly stores as possible and to have dog waste collectors available. Dog boarding is in fourth place on the wish list. Owners would be most pleased if shopping centers hosted dog shows and training, as well as photography and dog community meetings as often as possible.

“Based on our survey, the customers surveyed basically have small or medium-sized dogs, only 15 percent have larger pets. The vast majority of dog owners shopping at Etele Plaza have already visited or are planning to visit the shopping center with their four-legged friend, and a similar proportion are interested in pet programs. There is a huge demand from our customers to be able to spend time with their dogs in as many locations as possible, and this was another step towards fully complying with the rating system developed by Kutyabarathelyek.hu®”

– emphasized Dóra Vámosi, asset manager of Etele Plaza. The evaluation of Kutyabarathelyek.hu® is in line with the relevant regulations of the Hungarian National Agency for the Protection of Dogs and Pets, and has been used by numerous accommodation and catering establishments, shops and department store chains since 2016, the number of which is constantly growing.