From friendly Golden Retrievers to adorable Chihuahuas, Britain is home to an estimated 13 million dogs from more than 200 breeds.
Now figures from The Kennel Club have revealed the dog breeds that have fallen in popularity the most in Britain this year.
Three of these breeds are flat-faced dogs, which are known to suffer from a range of health problems related to their facial structure.
“The decline in puppy registrations for these flat-faced breeds is a welcome step in the right direction,” said Dan O'Neill, chairman of the Brachycephalic Working Group (BWG).
So, is your dog on the list?
Figures from The Kennel Club show which dog breeds have fallen the most in popularity in Britain this year
| Race | % change |
|---|---|
| Pug | -42% |
| English bulldog | -39% |
| Miniature Pinscher | -35% |
| French Bulldog | -34% |
| Belgian shepherd dog | -34% |
| Shar Pei | -33% |
| Chihuahua | -32% |
| Scottish terrier | -31% |
| Samoyed | -30% |
| Boston terrier | -29% |
To find out which dog breeds have declined in popularity the most this year, The Kennel Club analyzed the number of puppy registrations in Q1-Q3 2022 and those in Q1-Q3 2023.
Only breeds that had more than 150 puppy registrations so far this year were considered.
“Small numbers appear disproportionately,” the Kennel Club explained.
The results showed that the Pug had the biggest drop in numbers, from 2,834 registrations in 2022 to just 1,654 this year – a drop of 42 percent.
Two other flat-faced (or brachycephalic) breeds also appeared in the top list: the English Bulldog and the French Bulldog, which saw a decrease of 39 percent and 34 percent, respectively.
The results showed that the Pug had the biggest decline in numbers: from 2,834 registrations in 2022 to just 1,654 this year – a drop of 42 percent
Two other flat-faced (or brachycephalic) breeds also appeared in the top list: the English Bulldog (right) and the French Bulldog (left), which saw a decrease of 39 percent and 34 percent, respectively
According to The Kennel Club, this decline in popularity is a sign that puppy buyers, owners and breeders are considering the serious health and welfare implications of flat-faced dogs.
Bill Lambert, spokesman for The Kennel Club, said: 'We hope the new figures are a sign that this message is getting through and that there are now fewer, more informed owners buying from responsible breeders who do everything they can to produce healthy puppies . .'
In third place was the Miniature Pinscher, which fell in popularity by 35 percent this year.
Meanwhile, the Belgian Shepherd Dog rounded out the top five, with a decline of 34 percent compared to 2022.
The Shar-Pei, Chihuahua and Scottish Terrier followed, with declines of 33 percent, 32 percent and 31 percent respectively.
Finally, Samoyed numbers fell by 30 percent, while Boston Terrier numbers fell by 29 percent.
The Shar-Pei (photo), Chihuahua and Scottish Terrier followed, with a 33 percent, 32 percent and 31 percent decrease respectively
Speaking to MailOnline, a spokesperson for the Kennel Club explained: 'Chihuahuas really were the dog of the decade in the 2000s and 2010s.' Pictured: Paris Hilton (left) and Elle Woods (right) in Legally Blonde with their pet chihuahuas
You'll probably find that many of these dogs, including the pug, miniature pinscher, chihuahua, Scottish terrier, Samoyed, and Boston terrier, are on the small side.
The Kennel Club suggests this may show a shift from miniature breeds.
Speaking to MailOnline, a spokesperson for the Kennel Club explained: 'Chihuahuas really were the dog of the decade in the 2000s and 2010s.
'They became known as 'purse dogs' and were the favorite pet of many celebrities. But it seems they have returned the favour.”
If you are considering purchasing a dog, the Kennel Club urges you to do your research.
“It is crucial to remember that every dog – small or large – must be taken into consideration with care, and their needs, health and characteristics examined if you are to find your match responsibly,” the added spokesperson added.