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 hypoallergenic dog if you suffer from allergies.
Size too can be important, with it being best to think about a small dog if you don’t have much room at home, or a large dog if you have a nice big garden and want to keep fit by walking them miles.
Each year the UK Kennel Club releases figures showing how many dogs of each breed have been registered with them, and the stats for 2024 have now been released by group.
The Utility Group contains breeds that were originally bred for a specific working purpose that is no longer applicable today, along with dogs that simply do not qualify for any of the other six groups.
According to the latest stats, these are the 11 most popular utility dog breeds.
9. Boston Terrier
In ninth spot, with 820 2014 registrations, is the Boston Terrier. Nicknamed the 'American Gentlemen', it originated in the USA where it was officially recognised as a distinct breed in 1893. | Canva/Getty Images
10. Tibetan Terrier
Despite the name, the Tibetan Terrier isn't actually a terrier - it was mistakenly given the name by European travellers because they thought it looked like a terrier. In their native Nepal they are known as the Tsang Apso, meaning 'bearded dog' - which seems about right. There were 702 registered with the Kennel Club last year. | Canva/Getty Images
11. Lhasa Apso
Completing our list of the most popular utility dogs is the Lhaso Apso, a breed named after the capital city of Tibet, where it was traditionally used as a watchdog. There were 669 new Lhaso pups registered with the Kennel Club in 2024. | Canva/Getty Images