I might be better known for being a dedicated “cat lady”, and whilst felines definitely own my heart I do have a soft spot for any animal, and dogs run a close second to kittens.
It would seem I’m not alone, 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…
Photo by Jay Wennington on Unsplash
In North-East England
According to PFMA data, 31 percent of the North-East of England’s population have dogs. There are an estimated 510,000 dogs in the region with around 422,000 households being home to at least one canine companion.
So, what types of dogs can you expect to see across the North-East? According to data pulled 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. The following breeds make up the remainder of the top 10:Pug
English springer spaniel
English bulldog
German shepherd
Border terrier
Shih-tzu
Miniature schnauzerWhen 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 where 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. Here 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 research into the number of dog breeds which were registered with the Kennel Club in 2016 the French Bulldog came out top, and 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 schnauzerIn 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 in Liverpool, Wigan, Bolton, Manchester and Oldham it was Staffordshire bull terriers that reigned supreme
Photo by Brina Blum on Unsplash
In Yorkshire & the Humber
According to the PFMA data 23 per cent of the Yorkshire & the Humber’s population have dogs. 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 it was once again the Staffordshire bull terriers that reigned supreme in Sheffield and Wakefield, while greyhounds were established as the favourite dog breed across Halifax.
In the East Midlands
26 per cent of the East Midlands’ population have dogs, and 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
Here 26 per cent of the West Midlands’ population have dogs and 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
Around 20 per cent of the East of England’s population have dogs and there are an estimated 740,000 dogs in the region.
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 once again. 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 London
Only 9 per cent of London’s population have dogs and there there are only an estimated 200,000 dogs in the region.
Wondering London’s most popular dog breeds are? 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 and 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 the 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 and 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 you can 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.
Photo by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash
In the South-West of England
In my home county 25 per cent of the population have dogs. In fact, there are an estimated 720,000 dogs in the region.
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 Wales
According to PFMA data, 31 per cent of Wales’ population have dogs and 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? Looking at the data, the number one spot goes to the French bulldog. 2nd place is the Labrador retriever with the English cocker spaniel in 3rd spot.
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
There are an estimated 550,000 dogs in Scotland, 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 (again!) 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 and 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
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 and the English springer spaniel follows closely 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).
Are you a dog person or a cat person? Which is your favourite breed of dog?
