We’re officially a nations of dog owners, with the UK’s most popular pet living in around one-in-three households (and rising).
That means that there are around three million pooches living here, with more people choosing to join the army of dog lovers every week.
Of course, if you are looking to welcome a dog into your family, there are 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, alongside numerous crossbreeds, so there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your family’s latest addition.
There’s even academic guidance to seek out, with Psychologist Stanley Coren’s book ‘The Intelligence of Dogs’ ranking breeds by instincts, obedience, and the ability to adapt.
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.
The Kennel Club separates breeds into seven different groups, each of which have a particular set of attributes.
If you are looking for a dog that is determined, brave and independent, then it’s worth considering a breed from the Terrier Group.
The Kennel Club recently released their breed registration statistics for 2024, revealing how many of each breed of dog were registered with them over the year.
According to those figures, here are the 10 most popular terrier dogs in the UK.
9. Parson Russell Terrier
In ninth place with 334 registrations in 2024 is the Parson Russell Terrier. This dog was developed from the original 18th century fox terrier and is one of two breeds named after famous breeder Reverend Jack Russell. | Canva/Getty Images
10. Jack Russell Terrier
The second breed of dog named after Reverend Jack Russell completes our top 10 most popular terriers - the Jack Russell Terrier. First bred in the early 19th century, there were 318 Kennel Club registrations for these furry wee characters in 2024. | Canva/Getty Images