The Wedding Dog—5 Things to Know About The Latest Celeb Craze

Liz Brody


Have you noticed how many stars are walking their dogs...right down the aisle? All I can say is, Hollywood must be selling a lot of four-legged tuxedos.

As we speak, wedding plans are in full swing for two American Idol-spawned phenoms, Carrie Uderwood and Jennifer Hudson, both of whom have announced they'll be hitched with their Best Dogs in tow. (Underwood's rat terrier, Ace, will be ring bearer while Hudson's three Pomeranians-Oscar, Dreamgirl, and Grammy-await orders.) True Blood actress Anna Paquin, too, has said there'll be no "I do" without her "alpha" border collie, Slash. (Could the fact that fiancé/costar Stephen Moyer calls him "a grumpy little sod" have something to do with why they haven't set a date?)

The trend was started, "no doubt," by Gwen Stefani in 2002, when her groom, Gavin Rossdale, proceeded to the altar with his Hungarian sheepdog, Winston. The following year, Adam Sandler doubled the doggage-his mutt, Meatball, wearing a yarmulke as the ring bearer, accompanied by a new puppy, Matzo Ball, a wedding gift from bride Jackie. More recently, the idea seems to picked up steam: Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz exchanged rings fetched by his English bulldog, while Tori Spelling, Ellen DeGeneres, and Rebecca Romijn all had paws on hand when they took their vows.



But hey, before we all get carried away dreaming about wedding biscuits and black tie for tails, there are a few hurdles to get over when mixing men and dogs-and sometimes, unfortunately, trying to tell them apart.


5 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT DATING (and) DOGS:

1) BARKING UP THE RIGHT TREE? Dogs can sniff out cancer. They can detect drugs, locate dead bodies. But Mr. Right? "Oh Absolutely," says Michael Dougherty, a judge at dog shows like Westminster and owner of a high-end pet spa in San Diego, Windsong Resort. "Dogs are really good barometers. Of course, some will guard you against everyone. But generally, they can sense a person who doesn't like dogs, or who isn't what you're looking for. If the dog is giving you bad signs about a guy, there are probably some reasons."


2) MAKING INTRODUCTIONS: Hard as it may be to believe, not everyone loves to be greeted by an animal (even your adorable creature) jumping all over him. Until you learn about your date's dog-style, when he first walks in, you should have the pup well behaved, preferably sitting, to show you're willing to take control. You might give your baby a treat-or better yet, have the guy do it-so she associates good times with your (potential) new friend, suggests Diana Kirschner, PhD, author of Love in 90 Days (check out her quickie dating quiz). "Even a little dog can be territorial and interfere with a relationship," she says.

3) THREE'S A CROWD: So now that you've decided you like each other, the date wants to go off, just the two of you. But you feel torn about leaving your furry love behind, and wish you could do something pet-friendly. Kirschner says it's reasonable to feel guilty-you and the dog probably both have a bit of separation anxiety. "The thing is, you'll never date successfully until you make room for the other person," she says. Try leaving a long-lasting treat like a hollow bone filled with peanut butter, or find a sitter.


4) SLEEPING IN THE BED: What? He says, No way? Should that be a deal breaker? Well, personally I have kissed a few men good-bye when they refused to share bed space with my Australian Shepherd. But the experts say: No, no, no. "This isn't about whether he loves dogs," stresses therapist Alice Domar, PhD, coauthor of Live a Little! "It's how he grew up. In some families dogs sleep with people; in others, they are put outside. You have to respect his feelings and try to negotiate from there."


5) WHO'S ALPHA? At the beginning, your pet, naturally, says Domar. ("Wouldn't you worry about a guy who had a dog and, on the second date, put you first?") But eventually he should come first, and if he doesn't, you may want ask whether it's because you fear commitment. "When the order does switch," Domar says, "It's a very important step in a relationship." Anyone hear wedding bow-wows?

What's your experience mixing doggie love with man romance?

For more to think about...

What's your dog's sign? Astrology for pets.
When he's got the pooch, and it's making you jealous
Adopting a pup together

[Photo credit: Adam Sandler/Getty Images Entertainment]
[Photo credit: Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O'Connell http://www.jerryoconnellfansite.com]