If you aren’t planning for dogs, you aren’t planning for the modern market. What used to be a niche subculture has become the dominant demographic shifting the economy of our city. This isn’t just about ‘allowing’ pets; it’s about capturing a high-intent, fiercely loyal customer base that plans their entire life around their dog. At Best Bark, we call it The Paw Pound.
What exactly is the Paw Pound?
It’s the collective spending power of owners who refuse to leave their dogs behind. Like the “Grey Pound” or the “Pink Pound,” it describes a group with high disposable income and even higher loyalty.
These aren’t passive customers. They don’t just “stumble” into a cafe; they research, they plan, and they spend their money where they know their dog is a guest, not a nuisance.
The Data Behind the Shift
This isn’t just a feeling; the numbers are impossible to ignore.
Recent reports (as seen in the Daily Mail) show a major demographic pivot: in many UK urban areas, dogs now outnumber children. For a new generation of households, the “plus one” has four legs, and their lifestyle spending follows suit.
OpenTable data confirms this, showing that “dog-friendly” has skyrocketed as a top search filter. For many customers, knowing the dog can come along is now more important than the price of the steak or the wine list.
Here in Northern Ireland, the stakes are even higher. We have the highest rate of dog ownership in the UK. The Paw Pound isn’t just a slice of the market here – it is the market.
Evidence on the Ground
At Best Bark, we see this demand every single day. Last year, our platform recorded over 76,000 page views from more than 32,000 unique users.
These are local people and tourists intentionally bypassing generic directories to find verified, reliable information. They are looking for places to spend their money, and they are using Best Bark – the dog-friendly business directory to find them.
Tolerance vs. Hospitality
The biggest barrier for the Paw Pound is the “Technical Yes.” You’ve seen it before, a business that claims to be dog-friendly, but what they really mean is:
- “You can sit on the pavement in the rain.”
- “We’ll let you stay as long as we aren’t busy.”
- “We won’t kick you out, but don’t expect a water bowl.”
That isn’t hospitality; it’s tolerance. Modern owners are research-heavy. They study social media and look for clear signals like the Best Bark Dog-Friendly Verified Badge. When they encounter “tolerance,” they don’t just leave… they don’t come back. But when a business genuinely welcomes them? They stay longer, buy that extra coffee, and become vocal advocates for your brand, at Best Bark we’ve seen this advocacy first-hand.
Why Belfast?
Belfast has the potential to be the UK’s premier dog-friendly destination. We are a compact, walkable city with incredible independent spots and world-class green spaces.
This is why Best Bark is proud to be the Official Dog-Friendly Partner of Visit Belfast. We are working to replace the “guesswork” with clear, verified standards. We categorise venues honestly “Inside Friendly” vs. “Outside Only” so owners can arrive with confidence instead of anxiety.
The Missing Link: The Journey
Of course, the Paw Pound needs to be able to get to your front door. Currently, transport in NI is a mixed bag. NI Railways leads the way with clear, off-peak guidelines. However, bus travel remains a grey area, often left to the discretion of individual drivers.
This uncertainty is a friction point that discourages spending. We believe the journey should be as welcoming as the destination, which is why we’ve formally reached out to Translink to advocate for clearer, more consistent rules for dog owners.
The Bottom Line
The Paw Pound isn’t a passing trend. It’s a reflection of how we live, travel, and value companionship in 2026.
For businesses, the question is no longer “should we allow dogs?”
The question is: “Are we ready to welcome the Paw Pound?”
Read the full report
This article is a summary of The State of the Paw Pound 2026, a deeper market report on how dog ownership is reshaping hospitality, travel and local spending in Northern Ireland.
The full report includes
• detailed behavioural insights
• platform data
• infrastructure challenges
• and what clarity driven businesses are doing differently
👉 Download The State of the Paw Pound 2026 report
For businesses, councils and partners shaping dog friendly policy and experiences
