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 affectionate and enjoys building a bond with its owner - but is small enough that you don’t need to own a mansion to own one - then it’s worth looking at a pup in the toy dog group.
These are the 10 most popular toy dogs in the UK, according to UK Kennel Club registrations in 2024.
1. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
As it was the year before, the gorgeous Cavalier King Charles Spaniel takes the top spot when it comes to the most popular toy dog - with 3,132 Kennel Club registrations in 2024. It's name comes from it being bred to recreate Charles II's spaniel of the English Civil War period, when supporters of the king were known as Cavaliers. | Canva/Getty Images
2. Pomeranian
Second spot goes to the fluffy Pomeranian, with 1,832 registrations last year. Named after the Pomerania region, covering parts of Poland and Germany where it was first bred, they were a favourite of Queen Victoria. | Canva/Getty Images
3. Pug
The wrinkly Pug was the most popular breed of toy dog just a handful of years ago but has now dropped down to third place, with 1,316 registrations in 2024. It's an ancient breed, with roots that can remarkably be dated back to 400 B.C. | Canva/Getty Images
4. Chihuahua (Long Coat)
Hailing originally from Mexico and famed for being the world's smallest breed of dog, the long coat variety of the Chihuahua had 915 registrations in 2024. | Canva/Getty Images