Dogs are one of the most popular and diverse pets in the world, with hundreds of breeds that vary in size, shape, color, and temperament.
But what are the most common dog breeds in the UK, and how do they reflect the preferences and lifestyles of their owners?
A new study has used a large database of pet health records to answer these questions and to reveal some trends and challenges for dog health and welfare in the country.
A study of over 2 million dogs
ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images
An analysis of more than 2 million pet dogs living in the UK in 2019 has identified the most common overall breeds-topped by mixed breeds, Labrador retrievers, and Jack Russell terriers.
The study, published in the open-access journal PLOS ONE, used data from VetCompass, a program that collects anonymized pet demographic and health information from over 30% of UK veterinary clinics, as per Phys.org.
The researchers, led by Dr. Dan O'Neill of the Royal Veterinary College, UK, examined the data from all 2,237,105 dogs under the care of UK veterinary clinics that participated in VetCompass in 2019.
They recorded the breed, sex, age, and body weight of each dog, as well as other physical characteristics such as skull shape and coat color.
The analysis revealed that 69.4% of the dogs were purebred, 6.7% were designer-crossbred (for instance, cockapoos or labradoodles), and 24% were mixed-breed.
The most common breeds overall were mixed-breed (24%), Labrador retriever (8.6%), and Jack Russell terrier (7.6%).
Among puppies less than one-year-old, the most common breeds were mixed-breed (22.3%), French bulldog (9.8%), and cockapoo (8.5%).
Male dogs were slightly more common than female dogs overall (51.5% versus 48.5%).
The study also highlighted the popularity of breeds with physical features associated with increased health risks, as per WN.
For instance, 17.6% of the dogs in this study represented breeds such as pugs, French bulldogs, and English bulldogs with brachycephaly, a flattened skull shape that can cause breathing difficulties, eye problems, and dental issues.
The researchers warn that these breeds will likely face a future canine healthcare "crisis" in the UK as they continue to increase in number and age, exacerbating the adverse effects of their extreme body shapes.
They also suggested that some breeds may be prone to obesity due to their large body size or low activity levels.
The researchers call for more research on the genetic diversity, health status, and welfare needs of different dog breeds in the UK, as well as measures to reduce the demand for breeds with extreme physical characteristics.
They also recommended that prospective owners choose breeds that are less likely to have health issues related to their body shape or size.
Dr. Dan O'Neill added: "With 800 dog breeds available in the UK, this VetCompass study shows there are more than enough healthy breeds to choose from that do not suffer from extreme body shapes such as flat faces, skin folds or absent tails."
