From tiny Chihuahuas to huge Great Danes, Britain is home to over 200 different dog breeds.
But just how many individual pooches can be found in the UK?
According to a new study, the answer is a staggering 13 million – four million higher than previous estimates.
‘The UK is well known for being a nation of dog lovers, but it turns out we may have significantly underestimated how many dogs are out there by over four million!’ said Dr Kirsten McMillan, Deputy Head of Research at Dogs Trust.
The researchers not only estimated the total number of dogs, but also revealed the areas of the country with the greatest ratio of dogs to people.
Their analysis revealed that Telford is Britain’s top dog hotspot, with a whopping 8.2 dogs per 20 people.
In contrast, East London is the least dog-filled area, with just one dog per 20 people.
So, how does your hometown stack up?
From tiny Chihuahuas to huge Great Danes, Britain is home to over 200 different dog breeds. But just how many individual pooches can be found in the UK?
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While previous studies have tried to estimate the total dog population of the UK, this has proved challenging due to a lack of accessible data.
In their new study, Dogs Trust joined forces with scientists from the Universities of Leeds and Exeter to combine and analyse data from 18 diverse sources.
This included a breed registry, an academic institution, veterinary organisations, pet insurance companies, and animal welfare charities.
Overall, the analysis shows that around 13 million dogs live in the UK – significantly more than previously thought.
‘This inaccuracy can have serious implications as it affects important statistics like how many dogs of different breeds or sizes live in certain regions, how the dog population grows each year, and the overall trends in dog ownership,’ Dr McMillan said.
As part of the study, the researchers also looked at how the dogs are divided across the UK.
The vast majority (83 per cent) of dogs call England home, with the South East and North West regions being the most dog-packed areas.
Just 9.1 per cent of the UK’s dogs are found in Scotland, with South Scotland and Lothian named the dog hotspots north of the border.
Just 9.1 per cent of the UK’s dogs are found in Scotland, with South Scotland and Lothian named the dog hotspots north of the border (stock image)
Wales is home to 5.8 per cent of the UK’s doggy population, with South and West Wales being the most populated.
Finally, Northern Ireland is home to just 2.1 per cent of the UK’s dog population.
Breaking the numbers down by region, the researchers found that Telford tops the list, with 8.2 dogs per 20 people.
This is followed by Darlington (8 per 20 people), Harrogate (7.4), Swansea (7.4), Llandrindod Wells (7.2) and Sunderland (7.2).
In contrast, it seems that Londoners are the least likely to share their homes with dogs.
East London has just one dog per 20 people, followed by West Central London (1.2), West London (1.4), South West London (1.4), and North London (1.4).
‘It’s been fascinating to uncover stark differences in dog density throughout the UK, with Telford and Darlington emerging as leaders, boasting the highest dog-to-human ratios,’ said Dr McMillan.
‘These and future statistics provide valuable insights into regional trends and the dynamics of pet ownership across the country.’
The researchers did not look at the spread of dogs by breed, although this could be addressed in future studies.
‘With plans to replicate this study in the future, we’ll be able to track changes in dog populations over time, helping us better understand the changing population, including breed popularity and its impact on welfare,’ Dr McMillan added.
