Dogs in Drag? Canine Frankenstein? Dog Owners Keen on Canine Costumes

Dressing a dog in a costume may seem over-the-top to some, but with Halloween just around the corner, the American Kennel Club (AKC ®) surveyed dog owners to learn first-hand just how many plan to turn their Fido into a Frankenstein for the evening. It turns out that one in 10 dog owners can't imagine not dressing up their pup for the holiday and nearly half (49 percent ) admitted liking the idea.

The poll also found that women are six percent more likely than men to dress their pups up for all holidays, while men are 12 percent more likely than women to wonder why anyone would ever consider dressing their dog in the first place.

The American Kennel Club study about dog ownership habits, which was conducted by Kelton Research in August 2005, surveyed a national probability sample of 1,000 adults (500 dog owners and 500 non-dog owners) in the U.S., 18 years of age and older. The margin of error is approximately +/- 3.2 percent.

But, the trick is not to treat Halloween as just another day for your dog. Whether your dog dons a frightening frock or not, the AKC reminds owners to follow certain guidelines for keeping your pet safe during Halloween: