Do you love dogs that are tiny and mighty or big and fun? We all have our favourite kinds of dogs – from unique mixed breeds to posh purebreds – but what’s most popular is another story. To learn more, we dug into Rover’s database of over a million pets to see who’s top dog across the nation and uncover the most rare and trending breeds (Rover conducted a survey via Pollfish in August 2023 of 1,000 UK-based dog parents).
When we surveyed our users across the UK, breed proved to be a decisive factor when it comes to choosing a dog. Responding to our survey, 41 percent of users said that when selecting a dog to adopt, breed was ‘very important’, while 40 percent said it was ‘somewhat important’. Only one in five people didn’t care what their dog’s breed was.
We also asked users to select which factor was most important when choosing a dog breed. We learned that the answer varied quite a bit between respondents, but the most significant factor by some way was choosing a breed perceived to be family-friendly (35.5%). Almost ten percent of respondents selected a ‘hypoallergenic’ breed that doesn’t shed as much as a key consideration, and a similar proportion said they looked for a breed that ‘matched their lifestyle’.
Dog Breed Popularity Across the Nation
Mixed Breed
Labrador Retriever
Cockapoo
English Cocker Spaniel
French Bulldog
Dachshund
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Jack Russell Terrier
Discover Trending Breeds in Your City
The Top Trending Dog Breeds
Lurcher
Across the nation, Brits can’t be accused of being shallow: only 3 percent said cute looks were their biggest consideration when choosing their dog’s breed, but this number rose significantly in the capital! 10 percent of Londoners cited a cute/pretty appearance as their biggest deciding factor.
When it comes to personality traits, the most valued in the UK is an affectionate dog (33 percent), followed by friendly or sociable (19 percent); Brits also notably value loyalty highly in their pets 17 percent. 7 percent looked for an animal that would bring dynamism and high energy.
The Rarest Dog Breeds in the UK
Irish Wolfhound
Eurasier
Carpathian Shepherd Dog
Briard
Top Trending Dog Breeds by Country
While some breeds are perennially popular, others are just starting to make their mark as what we call trending breeds. These are dogs that rose quickly in popularity in 2023, becoming the top trending breeds for their countries.
In the US, the Bernedoodle is the top trending breed. These lovable dogs are a cross between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Standard Poodle. In Canada, the adorably feisty Pomeranian takes top spot for trending breeds.
In the UK, the Lurcher is rising in popularity. While not a defined breed, these dogs are usually a cross between a sighthound (such as a Greyhound) and a herding dog or terrier.
New to our ranking and as a dog breed, the Continental Bulldog (or Conti, for short) is trending in France. These dogs originated in Switzerland in 2005 and became officially recognised by the FCI in 2022.
In Spain, posh Toy Poodles are becoming more popular, while in Germany it’s the cute yet confident Pomeranians that are rising in the ranks. In keeping with the toy trend, Yorkshire Terriers are gaining popularity in the Netherlands. Meanwhile, in Italy, tenacious Staffordshire Bull Terriers are all the rage.
And last but not least, Scandinavia seems to have a case of Doodle fever: In Sweden Labradoodles are trending, while in nearby Norway they’re all about the Goldendoodle.
Doodles Make Their Mark
One breed that’s seen a big rise in popularity over the past decade is the Doodle—this curly haired cross-breed has more than doubled in Rover’s database, growing from 5% of all dogs on Rover in 2013 to 12% in 2023. That’s what we call oodles of Doodles!
Learn More About Dog Breeds
- Dachshund
- Shih Tzu
- The 20 Best Dog Breeds for Every Type of Family and Kid
- Meet the Largest Dog Breeds
- The Top Mixed Dog Breeds and What To Know About Them
- Low Energy Dogs Who Love Being Lazy
- Springer Spaniel
- 11 Pricey Pooches Who Will Steal Your Heart
Watch: Get to Know Your Favorite Breeds on YouTube
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