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 intelligent, strong, watchful and alert, it’s worth looking at breeds in the Working Group.
These are the 10 most popular working dogs in the UK, according to UK Kennel Club registrations in 2024.
5. Bernese Mountain Dog
Yet another German breed, the mighty Bernese Mountain Dog is the fifth most popular working dog, with 623 registrations last year. They originated in the Alps and were used as general farm dogs, occasionally even pulling carts. | Canva/Getty Images
6. Dogue de Bordeaux
There were 449 of the muscular Dogue de Bordeaux registered with the Kennel Club in 2024. As the name would suggest, this is a French breed, also known as the Bordeaux Mastiff, that has been around in some form since as early as the 14th century. | Canva/Getty Images
7. Newfoundland
Known as gentle giants, the glorious Newfoundland comes seventh on our list, with 422 2024 registrations. is a large breed of working dog. They are great at rescuing people from icy cold water due to their webbed feet and thick double coat. | Canva/Getty Images
8. Saint Bernard
Originally bred for mountain rescue operations (with the famous barrel of brandy attached to their collar), the Saint Bernard originally comes from the Western Alps in Italy and Switzerland. There were 350 registered with the UK Kennel Club last year. | Canva/Getty Images