Halloween Dog Costume Sales Explode! The Top 10 Most Popular of 2013

Halloween Gift Basket for Small Dogs

Fall’s nip is in the air and the leaves are turning beautiful colors. And that means Halloween’s just around the corner! For some dog moms and dads, Halloween is one of the most fun days of the year. Think about it. Matching costumes; a ridiculously adorable and funny dog costume for your pup; a chance to show how creative you are and how darn cute your dog is. And parades! If your city doesn’t currently have a Halloween Dog Parade, start a movement to create one!  Here in New York, we do and I have to tell you they are serious fun. I think the dogs know they’re onstage. They strut!

Here at Bark and Swagger, it’s about fashion and what’s hot. So, of course, we’re going to look at what the trending Halloween costumes are for dogs this year.

The Top 10:

1. Princess 2. Minion 3. Dinosaur 4. Gangster 5. Ewok 6. Clown 7. Hippo 8. Ghost Buster 9. Lobster 10. Yoda

Flower Fairy Costume

The top spot of Princess reflects the nation’s fascination with the royals, and you can include costumes for kings, queens and princes here. Kate and William’s fairytale marriage and, now, baby George…it’s been a big year for Royal Family news! The #2 spot shows just how popular the film “Despicable Me” has been and how much dog lovers have connected with the cute, iconic little minions in the film.

Monsters, dinosaurs and superheroes are still hot this year (Green Lantern and Despicable Me’s minion are two of the more popular), but the BIG news is “Star Wars” characters are available in dog costumes for the first time.  Which are the most popular? Yoda Dog, Darth Vadar Dog, Princess Leia Dog and the Ewok. Check out this little munchkin in his Yoda duds:

Yoda Dog Costume

Perennial favorites include the clown, wedding dresses, fairy princesses and Ghostbuster, but I think the gangster addition in the Top 10 reflects the popularity of tv shows like “Boardwalk Empire.” The lobster at #9 may be channeling the love affair America has with “The Little Mermaid,” which was fully restored and released in 3D this year, with a bonus video on the Blu Ray version of pop star Carly Rae Jepsen singing “Part of Your World.”

Halloween Has Gone to the Dogs: It’s Big Business!

We know how much we love our dogs and now, when it comes to Halloween, the National Retail Federation (NRF) knows it too. They just reported that a whopping  $330 million will be spent this year on pet costumes. Wow! The American Kennel Club conducted a survey that found that one in 10 owners now buy costumes for their pets. According to Google, searches for dog costume are up 50% and even cat costume inquiries are up 35%. So if you haven’t gone out or on line to find that perfect costume for your dog, don’t delay! There are still great options out there in every price range.

Happy Trick or “Give Me A” Treating!  And send us photos! 

Until next time…