Dog ownership in the United Kingdom (UK) 2010-2024
According to the most recent pet population survey in 2024, approximately 36 percent of responding households in the United Kingdom (UK) owned 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
A downward trend is also reflected in the number of pet dogs owned in the UK, which was approximately 12 million in 2023. This constitutes a decrease of one million compared to 2022. 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.