Britney Spears, Paris Hiton Blamed For 'Handbag Dogs' Trend

Britney Spears and Paris Hilton have been blamed for the sharp rise in the demand for miniature "handbag dogs", according to new figures.

The number of chihuahuas insured by British supermarket chain Sainsbury's has leapt 417 per cent since 2006, apparently spurred on by celebrities who carry their small dogs "like fashion accessories".

In the same period the overall number of small pedigree breeds Sainsbury's insures has risen by 41.3 per cent.

Hilton, 27, is regularly photographed with her chihuahua, Tinkerbell, while Britney Spears has owned three of the small-breed pets.

However, Sainsbury's has warned against choosing a pet on the basis of fashion and said that carrying a pet in a handbag -- as popularized by some celebrities -- could become distressing for the animal.

Neal Devine, Sainsbury's pet insurance manager, said, "The publicity around celebrities like Paris Hilton and Britney Spears and their small pedigree pets has fuelled the demand for handbag dogs.

"A pet should never be seen as an accessory and people should not be guided by fashion trends when purchasing a pet.

"It's important that you understand the physical and mental needs of a particular breed, such as how much exercise it needs, when you purchase it, and that your lifestyle enables you to accommodate this.

"Generally speaking, the cost of looking after a pedigree animal is more expensive than for a cross breed. Indeed, the most frequent claim for a small pedigree dog is for cardiac disease, which can run into thousands of pounds."