These days, almost everybody is on Instagram. Jobs like Influencer and Instagram content Creator are fast emerging, but now it’s not just people. Animals, especially pet dogs are on the road to stardom, to become popular dog influencers. Over the past few years, we’ve seen social media grow to heights that no one could have imagined. Kids as young as 8 and 10 have Instagram accounts and make content for people to watch and enjoy. People are able to earn an income similar to those in company jobs, by being a Social Media Influencer.
But now, pet parents have realized that their furry babies can be used similarly. Most of the human population finds cats and dogs cute. Seeing this potential, people started making Instagram accounts for their pets. They post pictures of them in clothes and costumes, upload videos of them being silly and goofing around, and advertise pet products for their followers to buy. We’ve seen a massive trend in the number of pet accounts that have been made in the last few years.
Dogs and cats get brand deals from pet food and pet toy companies, promote merchandise of their faces on it, and make money out of it. Pet parents work hard as their managers, making sure they upload content consistently on Instagram of their pet and maintain its grooming. Popular dog influencers may even “collab” with each other by meeting up and uploading content together. Pet trends have also become quite popular. The current trend that has taken dog influencers by storm is Dua Lipa’s Levitating. It features a verse from the song where pet parents make their dogs do actions coinciding with the song’s lyrics.
That said, here’s a look at some of the most popular dog influencers across the world.
1. Jiffpom (@jiffpom, 9.4M)
The most popular dog on Instagram, Jiff, fondly called Jiffpom is a Pomeranian known for his small structure and fluffy appearance. He rose to fame on social media by showcasing his exceptional talents in dancing, high fiving and even skateboarding. Other than winning people’s hearts with his adorable looks, he also held a spot in the Guinness World Records of 2017 for being the fastest dog on two paws. Monetizing on Jiffpom’s success as a dog influencers , its owner has launched a business selling Jiffpom merchandise like soft toys, accessories and even clothing. On Instagram, Jiffpom’s content includes wearing cute outfits and posing in photos to woo its fans.
2. Doug The Pug (@itsdougthepug, 3.6M)
No. 2 on our list of dog influencers is Doug. Doug is not only a popular social Media Influencer, but also an actor and recipient of the People’s Choice Award 2 times! He has garnered fans through his charming personality and video content on Instagram by being in cute costumes and making silly facial expressions. Combining his signature tongue-out expression with immaculate fashion, he has been featured on a number of media outlets. He even has his own merchandise line. His owners use his fame for good and have a non-profit organization called Doug the Pug Foundation. They aim to “bring joy and support to children battling cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.”
3. Marutaro (@marutaro, 2.4M)
Marutaro, an adorable Shiba Inu breed, is Japan’s most popular dog! His owner, Shinjiro Ono shared photos and videos of his antics online and grew a following. Maru became popular for his head tilt, expressions and poses. He is quite the business mogul, having an online store that features a number of products. Some of them are clothing, accessories and even home items like calendars and such. His Instagram content is mostly just him going on walks and acting cute, winning hearts with his precious smile.
4. Karamelka – Bulldog Blogger (@tecuaniventura, 2.1M)
Russia’s most popular and favourite dog influencer, Karamelka, is a Bulldog. She takes dog outfit pictures to another level by dressing up as characters and professionals. Her facial expressions make the outfits look even funnier! While Karamelka has 6 other dog siblings, she’s always been the most popular. Often her owners post photos of the other dogs as well. Photos of her dressed up as characters also include lengthy captions making up stories with her as the main character. She wouldn’t be Russia’s biggest dog celebrity without doing brand deals now, would she? She’s collaborated with Sony, Olympus, Puma and more.
5. Tuna (@tunameltsmyheart, 2M)
Ever heard of a Chiweenie before? It is a dog breed that’s a crossbreed between a chihuahua and a dachshund. Tuna rose to popularity because of his recessed jawline, massive overbite and wrinkled skin. When his owners first started posting his pictures in 2011, people were instantly captivated by his sweet smile and personality. Now he has an account with millions of followers, making light-hearted and fun content on Instagram for them to enjoy. He has collaborated with numerous brands and has even been featured in media outlets, TV shows, online publications and magazines. Tuna has created a loving and inclusive community where people have learnt to celebrate their pets the way they come.
6. Maya The Samoyed (@mayapolarbear, 1.8M)
Samoyeds are large, fluffy dogs, known for their sociable and friendly nature. Maya embodies these characteristics and won hearts through videos of her in cute outfits and playful interactions with other animals. Her Instagram account features content of her having fun, flaunting her bright smile and expressive eyes. By collaborating with various brands, she helps showcase the finest pet products and services to her audience. Some of her endorsements include grooming products, dog toys and treats, and accessories. Maya’s immense popularity has brought her meet-and-greets, sponsorships and guest appearances. Her content influences people to adopt pets as she shows how much of a positive influence it has on life.
7. Harlow And Sage (@harlowandsage, 1.6M)
While Harlow and Sage have both, unfortunately, passed away now, their account still remains popular and lively through the photos and videos of their friends. Harlow was a Weimaraner (gun dog breed with an athletic build and short coat) and Sage was a Miniature Dachshund. They met in 2013 and became best friends as their owner documented their lifestyle. They don’t do anything special; they win hearts with just how adorable they are! The content they put out on Instagram showcases how beautiful the bond between dogs and humans can be. Theirs was a journey full of love and friendship and will be kept alive through their best friends Indiana, Reese, Ezra, Mae & Wren.
8. Kler (@ppteamkler, 1.5M)
This little girl might just be the world’s most popular dachshund! Kler is a wiener dog whose owners post content of her with her dog and human friends on Instagram. Other than her account sharing cute photos of her, she has a Twitter handle on which she shares her day-to-day adventures. She is also a part of Platicapolinesi, a Los Polinesios group of people in Spain that own a clothing brand.
9. Maddie (@thiswildidea, 1.3M)
Maddie and Theron Humphrey are best friends. Theron’s a photographer and Maddie is his model! In 2011, Theron embarked on a journey to travel across the United States to capture photographs of people and stories. He called it “This Wild Idea”. Along the way, he posted pictures of his coonhound breed, Maddie, against beautiful landscapes, showing her love for travel. Her adventurous personality, paired with Theron’s vibrant, nature highlighting photography has gained them an avid following. His work has been featured in TIME Magazine, The Huffington Post and even National Geographic.
10. Manny (@manny_the_frenchie, 1M)
Manny is quite the sophisticated bulldog. Not only is he a popular dog influencer, but he also has a book called “Manny the Frenchie’s Art of Happiness”. Earlier, his owners would post pictures of him in cool outfits and engaging in fun activities, but now as he’s growing old, they focus more on him just going about his life and lazing around. He’s used his account to promote pet products, collaborate with brands and raise awareness about animal welfare causes. His lovable nature and charitable actions have him gaining popularity.
While it may seem exciting to make your pet a popular dog influencer, it’s important to remember that they are animals and not toys. Treating them with love and care as you normally would with any pet is what will keep them most happy. A lot of these dog influencers got famous through their cute looks and the tricks they perform. Learning to master pet training can help you teach them some cool tricks, and who knows, maybe your dog could be the next top dog influencer!