The UK: A Nations Favorite Dogs?

According to data from the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PFMA), 54 million pets can be found in 12 million households across the UK — that’s 44 per cent of households being home to at least one pet.

Of that figure, it is estimated that there is a population of 8.5 million dogs in 24 per cent of all households throughout the nation. Only indoor and outdoor fish have a higher population (at between 15 and 20 million each), though the percentage of households with a dog is higher than any other single type of pet — cats are a distant second with 17 per cent of households being home to one of these pets at a minimum.

So, how does the dog population spread across the UK? Natural dog food suppliers, Feedem has conducted research to find out…

In North-East England

According to PFMA data, 31 per cent of the North-East of England’s population have dogs. In fact, there are an estimated 510,000 dogs in the region, with around 422,000 households being home to at least one dog.

So, what types of dogs can you expect to see across the North-East? According to research from the number of dog breeds which were registered with the Kennel Club in 2016, the Labrador retriever is the most popular. The English cocker spaniel was the 2nd most popular breed, followed by the French Bulldog and then the following making up the remainder of the top 10:

• Pug
• English springer spaniel
• English bulldog
• German shepherd
• Border terrier
• Shih-tzu
• Miniature schnauzer

When analysing a decade’s worth of microchipping data gathered from pet registration companies Petlog and Animalcare, the BBC also established that Labrador retrievers were the favourite dog breed of every borough of North-East England except for Sunderland — there, 1,600 Staffordshire bull terriers were tagged over a 10-year period, compared to 1,500 Labrador retrievers.

In North-West England

According to PFMA data, 27 per cent of the North-West of England’s population have dogs. In fact, there are an estimated 852,000 dogs in the region, with around 1,110,000 households being home to at least one dog.

When it comes to the most popular dog breeds across the North-West, the most popular from research into the number of dog breeds which were registered with the Kennel Club in 2016, was the French bulldog. In 2nd place was the Labrador retriever, with the English cocker spaniel 3rd and the rest of the top 10 as follows:

• Pug
• English bulldog
• English springer spaniel
• German shepherd
• Staffordshire bull terrier
• Border terrier
• Miniature schnauzer

In their microchipping data analysis though, the BBC paints a different picture when it comes to the favourite dog breeds of specific areas of the North-West. In fact, Labrador retrievers were found to have been the breed of dog with the highest number of tags, in areas such as Carlisle, Lancaster, Blackpool, Preston, Blackburn, Chester, Warrington, Crewe and Stockport. However, Staffordshire bull terriers reigned supreme in Liverpool, Wigan, Bolton, Manchester and Oldham.

In Yorkshire & the Humber

According to PFMA data, 23 per cent of the Yorkshire & the Humber’s population have dogs. In fact, there are an estimated 760,000 dogs in the region, with around 590,000 households being home to at least one dog.

In their microchipping data analysis, the BBC established that there was a split when it came to the favourite dog breeds of specific areas of Yorkshire & the Humber. Labrador retrievers were found to have been the breed of dog with the highest number of tagged examples in Bradford, Harrogate, York, Hull, Leeds, Huddersfield and Doncaster. However, Staffordshire bull terriers reigned supreme in Sheffield and Wakefield, while greyhounds were established as the favourite dog breed across Halifax.

In the East Midlands

According to PFMA data, 26 per cent of the East Midlands’ population have dogs. In fact, there are an estimated 1,000,000 dogs in the region, with around 694,000 households being home to at least one dog.

In their microchipping data analysis, the BBC established that there was one breed that stood head and shoulders above the rest when it came to the favourite dog breeds of specific areas of the East Midlands — the Labrador retriever had the highest number of tagged examples of every borough analysed.

In the West Midlands

According to PFMA data, 26 per cent of the West Midlands’ population have dogs. In fact, there are an estimated 910,000 dogs in the region, with around 609,000 households being home to at least one dog.

In their microchipping data analysis, the BBC established that there was a split between two types of dogs when it came to working out the favourite dog breed of the West Midlands. While Labrador retrievers were found to have been the breed of dog with the highest number of tagged examples in Coventry, Worcester, Telford, Hereford and Shrewsbury, Staffordshire bull terriers reigned supreme in Stoke-on-Trent, Walsall, Birmingham, Dudley and Wolverhampton.

In the East of England

According to PFMA data, 20 per cent of the East of England’s population have dogs. In fact, there are an estimated 740,000 dogs in the region, with around 571,000 households being home to at least one dog.

Which types of dogs can you expect to pass when in the East of the country then? Analysis from the number of dog breeds which were registered with the Kennel Club in 2016, suggests that the Labrador retriever is the most popular breed. Sitting in 2nd place is the English cocker spaniel; the French bulldog completes the top three and the remainder of the top 10 are as follows:

• German shepherd
• Pug
• Golden retriever
• English springer spaniel
• English bulldog
• Miniature dachshund
• Miniature schnauzer

In their microchipping data analysis, the BBC also established that Labrador retrievers were the favourite dog breed of every borough of the East of England except for Luton — there, 2,200 Staffordshire bull terriers were tagged over a 10-year period, compared to 2,000 Labrador retrievers — and Southend-on-Sea, where 4,600 Stafford bull terriers were tagged. Only 2,900 Labrador retrievers were tagged in this area according to the data, with Jack Russell terriers even appearing higher with 3,100 examples tagged.

In London

According to PFMA data, 9 per cent of London’s population have dogs. In fact, there are an estimated 200,000 dogs in the region, with around 206,000 households being home to at least one dog.

Wondering what are London’s most popular dog breeds? The French bulldog takes the top spot based on the number of dog breeds which were registered with the Kennel Club in 2016. This is followed by the Labrador retriever in 2nd place, the English cocker spaniel in 3rd place and then the following to round off the top 10:

• Pug
• English bulldog
• Miniature schnauzer
• German shepherd
• Miniature dachshund
• Golden retriever
• Chihuahua

In their microchipping data analysis though, the BBC established that two different types of dogs, other than the French bulldog, were fighting for top spot when it came to the favourite breeds of specific areas of London. Labrador retrievers were found to have been the breed of dog with the highest number of tagged examples in Watford and Kingston upon Thames. However, Staffordshire bull terriers took top spot in every other district analysed across the UK’s capital city.

In the South-East of England

According to PFMA data, 23 per cent of the South-East of England’s population have dogs. In fact, there are an estimated 1,250,000 dogs in the region, with around 1,008,000 households being home to at least one dog.

When in the South-East, expect to see plenty of Labrador retrievers — they are the most popular breed of dog in the region upon analysis of the number of dog breeds which were registered with the Kennel Club in 2016. Taking 2nd place is the French bulldog, with the top three completed by the English cocker spaniel and the remainder of the top 10 as follows:

• Pug
• German shepherd
• Golden retriever
• English bulldog
• English springer spaniel
• Miniature schnauzer
• Miniature dachshund

In their microchipping data analysis, the BBC also established that Labrador retrievers were the favourite dog breed of every borough of the South-East of England except for Rochester — there, 5,200 Staffordshire bull terriers were tagged over a 10-year period, compared to 4,800 Labrador retrievers.

In the South-West of England

According to PFMA data, 25 per cent of the South-West of England’s population have dogs. In fact, there are an estimated 720,000 dogs in the region, with around 555,000 households being home to at least one dog.

Which dogs can you expect to find throughout the South-West then? Based on the number of dog breeds which were registered with the Kennel Club in 2016, the Labrador retriever is the most popular breed in the region. The English cocker spaniel takes 2nd spot and the French bulldog 3rd place, with the following a round-up of the remainder of the top 10:

• English springer spaniel
• Golden retriever
• Pug
• Border terrier
• English bulldog
• German shepherd
• Miniature schnauzer

In their microchipping data analysis, the BBC also established that Labrador retrievers were the favourite dog breed of every borough of the South-West of England except for three areas. In Bristol, there were 7,100 Jack Russell terriers tagged compared to 6,800 Labrador retrievers, with 5,600 Jack Russell terriers tagged in Plymouth compared to 5,200 Labrador retrievers, and 4,100 Jack Russell terriers tagged in Truro compared to 2,900 Labrador retrievers.

In Wales

According to PFMA data, 31 per cent of Wales’ population have dogs. In fact, there are an estimated 620,000 dogs in the region, with around 717,000 households being home to at least one dog.

So, what’s the top dog in Wales? When looking at the number of dog breeds which were registered with the Kennel Club in 2016, the number one spot goes to the French bulldog. 2nd place is the Labrador retriever, with the English cocker spaniel in 3rd spot and the following completing the top 10:

• English springer spaniel
• English bulldog
• Pug
• Miniature dachshund
• Staffordshire bull terrier
• Golden retriever
• Cavalier King Charles spaniel

In their microchipping data analysis though, the BBC established that three different types of dogs, other than the French bulldog that were fighting for top spot when it came to the favourite breeds of specific areas of Wales. Labrador retrievers were found to have been the breed of dog with the highest number of tagged examples in Llandudno. However, Border collies took top spot in Llandrindod Wells, while Jack Russell terriers reigned supreme in Newport, Cardiff and Swansea.

In Scotland

According to PFMA data, 21 per cent of Scotland’s population have dogs. In fact, there are an estimated 550,000 dogs in the region, with around 471,000 households being home to at least one dog.

In regards to the most popular dog across Scotland, the Labrador retriever is the top dog when accounting for the number of dog breeds which were registered with the Kennel Club in 2016. Taking 2nd spot is the English cocker spaniel, in 3rd place is the French bulldog and the rest of the top 10 is as follows:

• English springer spaniel
• German shepherd
• Golder retriever
• Pug
• Lhasa apso
• West Highland white terrier
• Border terrier

In their microchipping data analysis, the BBC also established that Labrador retrievers were the favourite dog breed of every borough of Scotland except for Lerwick — there, 100 border collies were tagged over a 10-year period, compared to 70 Labrador retrievers.

In Northern Ireland

According to PFMA data, 38 per cent of Northern Ireland’s population have dogs. In fact, there are an estimated 300,000 dogs in the region, with around 235,000 households being home to at least one dog.

So, which types of dogs are you expected to see on your travels around Northern Ireland? Looking at the number of dog breeds which were registered with the Kennel Club in 2016, the Labrador retriever is the most popular breed in the country. The English cocker spaniel was in 2nd place, with the English springer spaniel in 3rd spot and the following completing the top 10:

• Miniature schnauzer
• Golden retriever
• Shih-tzu
• Pug
• Staffordshire bull terrier
• French bulldog
• German shepherd
• Yorkshire terrier

In their microchipping data analysis though, the BBC established that Jack Russell terriers were the favourite dog breed in Northern Ireland, with 20,800 tagged over a ten-year period. Labrador retrievers were the next most popular dog breed (20,700 tagged), with border collies sitting in third place (13,700 tagged).

21 years old, North-East, Newcastle based content writer. Writes about variety on content.