>Dog Tired: Almost half Of Britain's dog owners have sleep disturbed by pets every night

Over half of dog owners let their pet sleep on their bed

It seems it really is a dog's life, as a new study* from Churchill Pet Insurance shows that over half of dog owners (57 per cent) let their pet sleep with them, either on or in their bed, at night.

If that wasn't proof enough of Britain being a nation of dog lovers, nearly half of those people (48 per cent) say that their own sleep is interrupted as a result of their dog sleeping with them. Given that approximately 6.5 million UK households own at least one dog**, it is safe to say that many of us are not getting enough sleep each night.

Peter Bishenden, pet insurance expert at Churchill, comments, "This study shows that dog owners really do go the extra mile when it comes to their pet, putting their own comfort second to that of their dog."

The most popular reason given by dog owners for letting their dog sleep with them is the feeling of companionship (68 per cent), while 22 per cent cite the feeling of security that a dog brings at night.

Just over a third (34 per cent) of dog owners also admitted to taking their dog into account when buying a new bed.

K9 Magazine editor Ryan O'Meara comments, "It's no surprise to me that Britain's dog owners are taking their dogs needs into account when buying a new bed. Having seen first hand just how much dogs like to wriggle, stretch and take up as much space as they think they can get away with, factoring them in to a bed purchasing decision seems like a sensible plan."

Churchill the dog can currently be seen in his first ever pet insurance television advertising campaign. Entitled 'Bones', starring 'Churchie' and Martin Clunes, the commercial sees dogs coming from far and wide, overcoming obstacles along the way, to thank Churchill for his pet insurance as only a dog would; with bones.

• * Churchill Car Insurance commissioned Opinium Research to interview a random sample of 2,010 adults aged 18+ via online omnibus 9th - 12th December 2011. Surveys were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults. 6% of adults polled have forgotten to renew their car insurance and have been uninsured for 24 hours or longer. 6% of 49,924,000 UK adults (ONS, 2011) = 3,204,078 adults.
• * Survey conducted by specialist pet research firm petbuzz/K9 Media Ltd, on behalf of Churchill Pet Insurance speaking with 1,037 recipients.

For further information, please contact:
Matt Owen
Churchill Press Office
020 8285 8795 / 07717 360 444
matthew.j.owen@rbs.co.uk

Founded in 1989, Churchill is now one of the UK’s leading providers of general insurance, offering car, home, travel and pet insurance cover over the phone or on-line.

Churchill general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Churchill and U K Insurance Limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.

Customers can find out more about Churchill products or get a quote by calling 0300 200300 or visiting www.churchill.com