Dog ownership in the UK 2022

According to the most recent pet population survey in 2021/22, approximately 34 percent of responding households in the United Kingdom (UK) own at least one dog. Between 2010 and 2020, the percentage of households who own at least one dog remained between 22 and 26 percent. In 2021, the survey changed its format from face-to-face to online, meaning that data should not be directly compared with previous years.

Pet dogs in the United Kingdom

An upward trend is reflected in the number of pet dogs owned by UK households, which was approximately 12 million in 2021. This constitutes an increase of 3.5 million compared to 2020. This particularly large increase is perhaps correlated to the lack of social contacts during the COVID-19 pandemic. The majority of British dog owners get their pets from a breeder of one specific breed. Approximately 14 percent get their dog from a rescue or rehoming center/shelter based in the UK.

Most popular dog breeds in the United Kingdom

The most frequently registered dog breeds in the UK are Labrador Retrievers and French Bulldogs. Since 2011, the number of registered French Bulldogs has increased from approximately 2,700 to over 54,000. The number of Labrador Retrievers remained relatively stable between 2011 and 2020. Both breeds saw a notable increase in registrations during the pandemic year of 2021. For example, the number of Labrador Retrievers increased from around 39,000 in 2020 to over 61,000 in 2021.

Share of households owning dogs in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2010/11 to 2021/22*

Characteristic	Share of households
-	-
-	-
-	-
-	-
-	-
-	-
-	-
-	-
-	-
-	-
-	-
-	-

Download

Source

Show detailed source information?

Already a member?

Sources

Use Ask Statista Research Service

Release date

2022

More information

Region

United Kingdom

Survey time period

2011/12 to 2021/22

Number of respondents

8,983 respondents

Age group

18 years and older

Method of interview

Online survey

Supplementary notes

*Figures are based on estimates. The survey changed from face-to-face to online in 2021, which means 2021 and 2022 data cannot be compared with earlier years but the percentage of households owning pets can be compared between 2022 and 2021 with some caution required as the sample size changed from 5,093 in 2021 to 8,983 in 2022.
Sample sizes vary as follows: n (2019/20) = 8,000; n (2018/19) = 8,000; n (2017/18) = 8,000; n (2016/17) = 8,000; n (2015/16) = 8000; n (2014/15) = 8353; n (2013/14) = 6,192; n (2012/13) = 4,223; n (2011/12) = 4,205; n (2010/11) = 4,156.

Citation formats