Cats are lovely, and fish are remarkably popular, but there’s one pet that always wins the popularity contest in Britain - the dog.
There are around a million canine pals in Scotland alone, with the UK population estimated at roughly 13.5 million.
They are made up of a bewildering number of breeds - 221 different pedigrees dog according to the UK Kennel Club - and all manner of crossbreeds, from so-called ‘designer dogs’ to lovable mongrels.
Choosing the right breed is absolutely essential – for example opting for a small dog if you don’t have much room at home, or a hypoallergenic dog if you suffer from allergies.
If you trust the instincts of the UK’s army of dog owners, you might want to opt for one of the most popular breeds of dog.
Every year the Kennel Club publishes breed registration statistics - showing how many new puppies of each breed have been recorded with them.
According to the most recent figures for 2024, here are the 11 most popular dog breeds.
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9. Bulldog
The Bulldog is one of the breed of dog most closely associated with the UK and remains popular - although not as popular as its smaller French cousin. There were 3,865 Bulldog registrations in 2024. | Canva/Getty Images
10. Miniature Schnauzer
Originally bred by German farmers to hunt rats and other vermin, the Miniature Schnauzer is now more at home curled up on a couch. There were 3,695 new puppies registered in 2024 - putting the breed in 10th spot when it comes to the most popular pet dogs. | Canva/Getty Images
11. Border Terrier
Named after the Scotland-England border where it originated, the plucky Border Terrier had 3,675 Kennel Club registrations in 2024, making it the second most popular Terrier in the UK and the 11th most popular overall - completing our list. | Canva/Getty Image