Royal Watch News

Duchess Catherine blamed for cocker spaniel thefts

Feb 7, 2013, 16:02 GMT

Duchess Catherine, Prince William and Lupo

Britain's Duchess of Cambridge has been blamed for cocker spaniel dogs being stolen across Britain.

The former Kate Middleton - who is currently expecting her first child with husband Prince William - has her own dog of the same breed called Lupo and since getting him in 2011 there has been a significant rise in spaniel thefts as pet shops are unable to meet the demand for the canines.

Lyn Randall - field trial secretary at the Cocker Spaniel Club - also agrees with the theory, explaining: 'The fact that Wills and Kate have a cocker did make a difference. Last year there was a surge in numbers, possibly for the wrong reasons.

'A lot more are being stolen now too and partly that is due to their rise in popularity, they do seem to be stolen to order.'

People are also buying the pets - which, when puppies, cost around £500 each - without realising how much care and work is need to look after them, including over an hour's exercise every day.

She added: 'A lot of people wanted them just as pets and didn't really have any idea what training a working dog entails. That was quite significant.'

Simon Barnes, 45, was shocked when his elderly parents had their cocker spaniel Kizzy stolen from their home in East Sussex last month and believes the culprit took her because of the resemblance to Duchess Catherine's pooch.

He said: 'It would make sense to me that she was stolen because she looks like Kate's dog. People just think, 'She's got one, I want one too'.'