New Research Suggests That Your Dog Might Have a Favorite Christmas Song

After Thanksgiving, songs about presents, stockings, Christmas trees, and snow fill the radio waves. If you're someone who celebrates a winter holiday, chances are you have a favorite themed tune—but does your dog have one, too? New research conducted by the charity Guide Dogs has revealed which festive tracks your furry friends like best and it turns out the canines prefer upbeat jams, like "Last Christmas" by ​​Wham! The 1984 British pop song came in as the most popular holiday song among dogs.

To obtain their findings, researchers surveyed 1,000 dog owners across the United Kingdom and found that pups enjoy cheerful hits over traditional carols. While "Last Christmas" received 10 percent of the votes, "Jingle Bells" came in second receiving nine percent of the votes. Next was "All I Want for Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey (six percent), which was part of a four-way-tie with "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday" by Wizzard, "Merry Xmas Everybody" by Slade, and "Silent Night'. Other favorites include "Fairytale of New York" by The Pogues (5%), I"t's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" by Michael Bublé (6%), and "Wonderful Christmastime" by Paul McCartney (5%).

Pet parents are happy to play what they believe to be their canine's favorite tunes—33 percent of dog owners say they're more likely to prioritize their pet's taste in music over their parents, and 23 percent report that they'd pick their dog's choice over their friend's. Of those asked, 90 percent believe their dog likes music and a quarter said that playing Christmas classics makes their dogs feel calm or comfortable. "Music is often used to calm dogs in times of change and stress, so it is unsurprising that it will play a key role for dogs this Christmas," says Chief Scientific Officer at Guide Dogs, Dr. Helen Whiteside.

While it's a nice sentiment to play your pet's favorite holiday hits, a new study conducted by speaker manufacturer Sonos warns against listening to them more than 104 times. That's the threshold for when you'll get sick of them. The company examined the music habits of the French during the lead up to Christmas Eve, and found that most people start listening to festive songs 18 days before the holiday. However, a third of the participants get into the Christmas spirit by listening to themed tunes a month early. So, while you may be inclined to hit the repeat button on your furry friends' most beloved holiday songs, be sure to play a few of your favorites as well!