The Nation’s Favourite Dog Breeds Revealed

• French Bulldogs are close to overtaking Labradors as the UK’s most popular dog breed.

• Smaller breeds like Pugs and Bulldogs are on the rise.

• Larger breeds including German Shepherds and English Springer Spaniels are declining.

• A total of 31 vulnerable breeds are at risk of disappearing from our streets and parks.

The UK is a nation of dog lovers with more than one in four (26%) of households owning a dog.

Outdoor specialists Millets have studied official pedigree registration statistics to find out what our favourite dog breeds are and how this has changed over the past 10 years. The results show the popularity of the 221 recognised pedigree breeds within the UK and might take you by surprise.

Total pedigree puppies registered

The overall number of pedigree puppies registered* has perhaps unexpectedly been declining over the past decade. The figure peaked in 2008 with 271,719 puppy registrations, falling sharply to 219,965 in 2015.

Official data registrars The Kennel Club put this decline down to the rise in popularity of cross breeds. Since then however, the number of registrations rose again and in 2017, a total of 243,290 pedigree puppies were registered.

Top 10 registered pedigree dog breeds 2017 (UK)

The most popular breed of 2017 was the Labrador Retriever, with over 14% (35,068) of puppy registrations. The so-called Andrex puppies remain the UK’s favourite breed with their playful nature and calm temperament. In a fairly close second place was the faithful French Bulldog, with almost 13% (30,887) of pups registered of this breed.

Also inside the top five were Cocker Spaniels (10%), Pugs (4%) and English Springer Spaniels (4%). In contrast, the rarest breeds registered in 2017 were Small Munsterlanders, the Laekenois variety of the Belgian Shepherd Dog, and Komondors – each with just one pup.

Most popular breeds over the past 10 years

Looking at trends from the past 10 years, figures show French Bulldogs, owned by celebrities including Lady Gaga and the Beckhams, are close to overtaking Labradors as the UK’s most popular dog breed. In 2008, just 1,025 (0.4%) French Bulldogs were registered, whereas in 2017 this figure rose to a staggering 30,887 (13%) pups.

The beloved Labrador Retriever has seen a steady decline in registrations for most of the past 10 years, with 45,233 (17%) registrations in 2008 compared to 35,068 (14%) in 2017.

It seems that smaller breeds are generally increasing in popularity whilst larger breeds appear to be on the decline.

Breeds on the rise

Much like French Bulldogs, Pugs have seen a strong yet consistent rise in numbers over the past decade. From 4,480 (1.6%) in 2008, each year registrations have increased up to 10,783 (4.4%) in 2017. And Bulldogs have also increased in numbers year on year, going from 4,543 (1.7%) in 2008 to 9,450 (3.9%) in 2017.

Breeds on the decline

German Shepherds on the other hand have seen a small yet consistent decline in numbers since 2008. From 11,903 (4.4%) in this year, to 7,479 (3.1%) in 2017, it seems our previously favoured police dogs are slowly falling in popularity. Similarly, English Springer Spaniels have seen a steady decline over the past decade, from 14,899 (5.5%) in 2008 to 9,958 (4.1%) in 2017.

Vulnerable breeds

Some of our oldest and most historic native breeds are declining and a total of 31 breeds are on The Kennel Club’s list of native vulnerable breeds. Included in this list are the Bearded Collie, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Miniature Bull Terrier.

These breeds are at risk of disappearing from our streets and parks with less than 300 annual registrations, whilst a further 11 that number between 300 and 450 are on the ‘At Watch’ list.

What can we expect for 2018

Although figures for this year have not yet been released, The Kennel Club have exclusively shared which breed is set to clinch the top spot.

Speaking about the data, Caroline Kisko said:

“The French Bulldog has skyrocketed in popularity in recent years and became the top dog for the first time in the first quarter of 2018. Looking at this year’s dog breed statistics however, the Labrador looks set to regain top spot by the end of the year.”

Commenting about the rise in popularity of smaller dogs, she added:

“Celebrity ownership or advertisers using breeds in film and television can influence the public to purchase a puppy due to its celebrity or fashionable status rather than because breed suits their lifestyle. City lifestyles are also a huge factor in the changes in popularity, as smaller dogs can be a good fit for urban life.

 “We can see that a large proportion of puppy registrations are concentrated in the top 10 most popular breeds. There are actually a huge 221 pedigree dog breeds in this country to choose from – each with their own distinct characters – so people need to take care when choosing their four-legged companion, that they get the right one for them.”

Jack Kelly, Marketing Executive from Millets also commented:

“As dog enthusiasts it’s incredibly interesting for us to see the most popular breeds within the UK. From Labrador Retrievers to French Bulldogs and Cocker Spaniels, we recognise spending time outdoors is important for both dogs and their owners regardless of breed.

“We want to encourage people to get outside with their dogs and make sure they’re equipped with the right outdoor clothing and footwear to do so, no matter the weather.”

*The Kennel Club registers around 30% of puppies in the UK.