The 9 Biggest Moments for Dogs In 2025

By: January 02, 2026 By Gareth Olyott By: Styled By:

From new animal welfare laws to high fashion embracing dogs, these were the nine moments that most shaped how dogs are treated, protected, and valued this year.

1. Spain Legally Reclassified Dogs as Family Members

1. Spain Legally Reclassified Dogs as Family Members

Spain formally removed dogs from property law, recognising them as sentient beings within the family unit.The change affects custody decisions, inheritance, welfare responsibility, and veterinary consent.Why it matters: this is one of the strongest legal acknowledgements yet that dogs are dependants, not possessions.

2. Abandoning a Dog in Germany Can Now Mean Prison Time

2. Abandoning a Dog in Germany Can Now Mean Prison Time

Germany strengthened its animal welfare laws so that serious abandonment cases can result in prison sentences rather than fines alone.Abandonment is now treated as criminal harm, not neglect.Why it matters: it sets a new legal benchmark for accountability and responsibility.

3. A Dog Became Part of the Oscar Conversation

3. A Dog Became Part of the Oscar Conversation

A canine performance entered serious awards discourse this year, prompting widespread discussion about recognition for animal actors.Dogs are not Oscar-eligible, but the cultural response to standout performances made the conversation unavoidable.Why it matters: it reflects a growing recognition of animal performance, training, and emotional labour in film.

4. Dogs Gained Stronger Protection in Rental Housing

4. Dogs Gained Stronger Protection in Rental Housing

Across parts of Europe, updated rental guidance and housing reforms made it harder for landlords to impose blanket bans on dogs, particularly in long-term tenancies.The emphasis shifted toward behaviour and impact rather than default exclusion.Why it matters: access to housing remains one of the biggest barriers to responsible dog guardianship.

5. Italy Approved Large Dogs in Aircraft Cabins

5. Italy Approved Large Dogs in Aircraft Cabins

Italy approved new aviation rules allowing medium and large dogs to travel in aircraft cabins rather than cargo holds, subject to safety requirements.This marked one of the most progressive airline policy shifts in Europe.Why it matters: it acknowledges that cargo transport is often unsuitable and risky for dogs.

6. Breed-Specific Bans Faced Renewed Scrutiny

6. Breed-Specific Bans Faced Renewed Scrutiny

Rather than expanding breed-specific legislation, several governments and authorities commissioned reviews questioning its effectiveness.Veterinary and animal welfare organisations continued to push for behaviour-based regulation over appearance-based bans.Why it matters: policy is slowly beginning to align with behavioural science.

7. Dogs Entered High Fashion Properly

7. Dogs Entered High Fashion Properly

High fashion houses treated dogs as part of their core lifestyle worlds, not novelty extensions.Notable examples included:
•Loewe, continuing to set the benchmark in leathercraft and object design
•Prada, aligning pet products with its utilitarian luxury language
•Gucci, elevating pets into a fully merchandised category
•Celine, quietly integrating dogs into its broader home and accessories universeWhy it matters: dogs are now designed for with the same seriousness as handbags or footwear. This signals permanence, not trend.

8. The “Owner” vs “Guardian” Debate Became More Visible

8. The “Owner” vs “Guardian” Debate Became More Visible

The language used to describe human–dog relationships was more openly debated across welfare groups, veterinary bodies, and brands.There is no universal standard, but the conversation gained visibility.Where Penne & Co stands: we use “guardian” deliberately. It reflects the relationship we believe people have with their dogs.Why it matters: language shapes expectations, responsibility, and care.

9. Dogs Became Central to How People Define Home

9. Dogs Became Central to How People Define Home

Decisions about where people live, how they work, and how they travel were increasingly made with dogs as a primary consideration.Moves out of cities, flexible work patterns, and lifestyle changes consistently placed dogs at the centre.Why it matters: dogs are no longer fitted into life. Life is built around them.