Doggyspace: the canine network

Humans do it, so why can't dogs? Well now there is a specially dedicated website for dogs, or dog owners, to meet online and aptly enough it's called Doggyspace.

The new online canine network, a crossbreed of MySpace and YouTube, lets owners from all over the world meet, create a profile and share photos and videos of their four-legged friends.

Since launching in July, Doggyspace has attracted over 700 active members, 73 per cent of whom are female, according to the site founder Levi Thornton.

Thornton projects that Doggyspace will have more than two million members by the end of 2008.

"There's a lot of people out there with their dogs and we're busy and we're all working in the office all day long and this is a way for us to bring our pets with us," said Thornton, who has a Yorkie named Nokie and a pit bull named Ein.

Doggyspace is based in Virginia and is part of growing trend of niche social-networking sites.

"It's not so much social networking, it's having a social experience around things that we care about, so pets are just such a great example of that," said Fred Stutzman, an internet researcher at the University of North Carolina.

The website is alarmingly similar to other social networks; dogs (owners) upload photos and a profile, and a picture or video and then make friends with other dogs from around the world.

Kirin Ichiban, a pug (pictured), who "misses his girlfriend" writes on his: "I love eating and sleeping. My family means the world to me and I wouldn't trade them for a new family. I am a proud father of two, a black and a fawn son and daughter. Sadly they got sold but to loving homes so I am happy for them."

Earlier this year Honda launched a dog-friendly website where surfers and dog lovers could find dog-friendly cafes, hotels and other amenities.

And last year, another site for dog owners to post pictures of their pooches called Doggy Snaps was launched.

www.doggyspace.com