Have you ever danced with your dog? Rumba with your retriever, polka with your poodle, or samba with your Scottish terrier in Japan, where dog dancing is the latest must-do activity in this canine-crazy nation.
Dancing lessons for pets joins a long list of things to do with your animal companion in a country where the pet industry is worth one trillion yen (nearly $9.5 billion) and where dog hotels, cafes and even dog-friendly cars are the norm.
At dance class “Wan Nyan World,” which literally means “Woof Meow” in Japanese, dog-lovers and their reluctant partners do a little waltz and a little dog-trot to ABBA’s “Dancing Queen.”
“Whether it’s a Chihuahua or a big St. Bernard, if you have the right music and moves, any dog can dance. Even age doesn’t matter,” said 51-year-old Mayumi Ozuma, who teaches the class.
“Dog dancing allows owners and their dogs to show their individuality.”