Number of dogs in Belgium 2010-2021

"Man’s best friend" has long found its place in our homes. Dogs hold this title for being able to understand and communicate with us. Indeed, dog behavior has been shaped by thousands of years of human contact. In 2021, Europe counted more than 92 million pet dogs. From a quantitative perspective, however, there were officially 113.6 million pet cats. So are dogs still “man's best friend”?

Who is man’s best friend in Belgium?

In 2021, over 1.3 million pet dogs were registered in Belgium, whilst over two million pet cats were registered that same year. In 2016, 29 percent of the people were dog owners, however, 33 percent were cat owners. 27 percent of households had a cat whereas only 24 percent had a dog. Nonetheless, most Belgians did not own any pets.

Where to purchase a dog?

The average price of purchasing a dog in Belgium ranged from 218 euros to 712 euros. Such price differences are, among other criteria, related to where the dog is bought. For instance, places like shelters can be much more affordable than breeders. In Belgium, shelters help lost pets but also mistreated and abandoned animals. However, these animal shelters are often overpopulated. Beyond making a dog’s life better, getting a dog from such a place can free space for another pet to be cared for.