UK Kennel Club figures show that dog ownership soared during the global pandemic and the associated lockdowns, and have shown little sign of letting up – with around a third of households now owning at least one dog.
Puppy prices have increased in line with demand, meaning that dogs are now more expensive than they have ever been – and thieves are increasingly looking to make a profit by taking dogs and selling them online.
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Security company ADT has compiled a Pet Theft Report using reports of dog thefts to police forces across the UK to see what pups are most commonly taken.
And to give you an idea of why the thieves are snatching dogs, we’ve also looked at the average price for each breed, according to the experts at pets4homes.
Here are the 11 most stolen dogs and what they typically cost.
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9. Pomeranian
The fluffy Pomeranian is many people's idea of the perfect lapdog - and are tragically commonly stolen. They cost an average of £1,779.95. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
10. Labrador Retriever
The Labrador Retriever may be the world's most popular dog, but it's only the 11th most stolen. A loving Lab will cost you an average of £1,271.20. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
11. Pug
Another dog that seems to have grown in popularity equally with both dog lovers and criminals is the Pug. These expressive small dogs cost an average of £1,017.83. Photo: Canva/Getty Images