Top 20 Most Popular Dog Breeds in the UK in 2023 (With Pictures)

More than a quarter of the adult population in the UK own a dog, with nearly 10 million dogs across the country. And, during lockdowns in 2020 especially, the number of dogs owned increased dramatically. Although the number dropped as people returned to work in 2021, we are clearly still a nation of dog lovers!

When it comes to the most popular breeds, mixed breeds are by far the most popular, despite not really being a true breed. And, unsurprisingly, the Labrador Retriever, renowned for its love of family and its playful but gentle nature, is the next most popular group of dogs.

Read on to find the 20 most popular dog breeds in the UK according to figures from The Kennel Club and owner surveys.

The Top 20 Most Popular Dog Breeds in the UK

1. Mixed Breed

It’s not really a true breed and the Kennel Club doesn’t recognise mixed breed dogs, but it is—by far—the most popular of all types of dogs. A mixed breed is one that has three or more breeds in its lineage. A dog with a single breed in its lineage is a purebred, while a dog with two breeds is considered a hybrid, crossbreed, or designer dog.

Mixed breed dogs vary in size, colours, and temperament, and individual character determines whether a mixed breed dog is suitable for families or individual owners. There is a suitable mixed breed dog out there for every potential owner.

2. Labrador Retriever

The Labrador Retriever consistently appears at the top of the list of most popular dog breeds. It is known for being a loving family dog that is energetic and fun. However, it was originally bred as a working dog and primarily used to assist fishermen with their daily duties. They have also been used as hunting dogs.

Today, they are more likely to be seen as a family pet or working as therapy dogs, police dogs, and search-and-rescue dogs. They do require plenty of exercise to ensure they aren’t overweight, and you should ensure good training to ensure they grow up to be well-adjusted dogs.

3. Cockapoo

The Cockapoo is a designer breed and could arguably be considered the first designer dog. It is a cross between the Cocker Spaniel and the Poodle. Its size is ultimately determined by the size of Poodles in its lineage, but the majority are considered small to medium dogs.

The Cockapoo is a friendly dog that will get along with family, friends, neighbours, visitors, and strangers. It is a friendly breed that, although it doesn’t require excessive amounts of exercise, is prone to fits of playfulness. Although no breed is truly hypoallergenic, the Cockapoo does come close, but it does require some grooming and tending, thanks to its Poodle parentage.

4. French Bulldog

The French Bulldog is a small dog that was bred for companionship and remains one of the most popular companion breeds. Although small, the breed is stockily built. It has a coat that is relatively easy to care for. Its love of exercise is matched by its love of lounging around, with the dogs’ size making it the ideal pup for sleeping on your lap.

Training is considered easy because the breed is intelligent and enjoys games but they can be independent, so they may not always choose to respond to commands given. The French Bulldog is prone to separation anxiety and will expect to be taken everywhere with you. This breed is also prone to certain genetic conditions and illnesses.

5. Cocker Spaniel

The Cocker Spaniel is a sporting dog and, even when kept as a family dog, it will require regular exercise. The Spaniel is especially at home in the water, so be prepared to carry a towel and offer baths to get rid of mud and dirt. And, because this is a sporting breed, the Cocker Spaniel does have some prey drive.

Loving and friendly with family, the Cocker Spaniel is intelligent and easy to train and works as a therapy dog, but some can be nervous and a little apprehensive, especially around strangers.

6. Dachshund

The unique Dachshund is a scent hound by breeding but has become a very popular companion dog, especially for families with younger children. Some Dachshunds can form an especially close bond with one person and may even become jealous of the attention paid to their owner.

As well as being loving with people of all ages and sizes, the breed is playful but its most unique feature, the elongated and muscular body is also the cause of potential problems. They can injure themselves by jumping off furniture, and it is essential that they are not allowed to put on too much weight.

7. Staffordshire Bull Terrier

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier, or Staffy for short, has endured a bad reputation because of unscrupulous owners breeding them for fighting. A well-adjusted Staffy from a reputable source, however, makes a lively, loving, and surprisingly gentle family companion.

Although considered a small dog in height, the Staffy’s build is muscular and robust. They can be aggressive towards other dogs and, while they are highly intelligent and typically eager to please, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier can be stubborn and will need regular and ongoing training and socialising.

8. Jack Russell Terrier

The Jack Russell Terrier is a small terrier-type dog that has a tenacious attitude, a strong prey drive, and a tendency to bark. It is also a loyal companion that loves to spend time outdoors and will relish any opportunity to play. The biggest challenge owning a Jack Russell is ensuring that it is well trained, although preventing chewing and digging can also be a big obstacle.

Potential owners need patience, and the breed is not generally recommended for first-time owners. If you do have experience in dog handling, however, and are prepared for the terrier’s antics, you will find a loving companion.

9. Border Collie

The Border Collie is widely regarded as the most intelligent dog breed. When well-handled, this intelligence makes the breed easy to train, hence it is still widely used as a herding dog and working dog. The Collie is also known for having virtually limitless energy and, while the dog will love its family deeply, it doesn’t usually love long cuddles or time on the sofa.

Because the Collie is a herding dog, it does have a tendency to herd other pets and family members, especially children, and may be inclined to nip at heels. Once trained, however, the breed instinctively knows what is expected and can make an excellent pet for a very active family that wants a companion but not necessarily a lap dog.

10. Chihuahua

The Chihuahua is one of the smallest dog breeds in the world, and this companion dog is especially known for being a lap dog. They adapt well to living in an apartment and they love to spend time with their family. In fact, they not only thrive on but need companionship, so this is not the best breed for owners that work all day.

This breed does not take to strangers easily, which does make them good watchdogs, but can also lead to constant barking and yapping.

11. German Shepherd

The German Shepherd is an intelligent breed that takes well to training. Although originally bred for herding, the modern breed finds use as a therapy dog as well as in search-and-rescue and police work. It also makes a good family pet, as long as you have the time to provide adequate exercise and ensure that yours is well trained and socialised. If you don’t provide adequate exercise, the German Shepherd can be prone to chewing, digging, and barking.

12. Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever is a loving, caring, and sociable dog. It was first bred as a retriever but is now more commonly kept as a family companion. This dog requires companionship and might, in fact, suffer separation anxiety if you are away from the house too long.

This is a playful breed that retains puppy characteristics into adulthood and is good with children and strangers but does have high energy requirements and is prone to heavy shedding.

13. Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu is a small companion dog that is considered a good choice of pet that wants a loyal companion that won’t leave their sides but doesn’t want to have to provide excessive amounts of exercise. However, they can be trained to do well in dog agility and other canine classes.

The breed is good with children, but they are small so young children need to take care when handing the Shih Tzu. They do require plenty of grooming and can be difficult to house train, but they will make friends wherever they go.

14. Pug

The Pug has a funny face with big eyes and a wrinkled mouth. It easily makes friends thanks to its facial features, and they are especially friendly to those that are willing to play. They are very close to their human handlers, which is good if you are looking for a companion that won’t leave you alone, but means this isn’t the best breed for owners that are at work or school all day.

Although the breed is intelligent, this doesn’t necessarily mean they are easy to train because they do have a very strong mind of their own.

15. Yorkshire Terrier

The Yorkshire Terrier is another small breed but, unlike the Pug and the Shih Tzu, it has a working background having been bred to catch rats in the mills of Yorkshire, England. Its size hides a very brave heart and a willingness to get itself in trouble, and potential owners need to be understanding, as well as willing to provide plenty of physical and mental stimulation.

This is another small breed that tends towards vocalisation, and the Yorkie will bark at just about anything, so one of the first commands you will need to train is the “quiet” command. The Yorkie can make a good family pet but may be wary of very small children that are a bit grabby.

16. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was bred from Spaniels but was bred as a companion dog rather than a working dog. This means that owners can enjoy the friendly and fun nature of a Spaniel but in a smaller package and with fewer energy requirements. The breed makes friends easily, gets on with people of all ages, and follows its owners everywhere, seeking attention.

They are also considered quite easy to train, but their coat does require a lot of attention and the breed is prone to putting on weight easily, which can lead to an overweight dog so treats should be given sparingly.

17. Labradoodle

The Labradoodle is a cross between the popular Labrador and the so-called hypoallergenic Poodle. It is a designer breed that has shot up in popularity because it combines the loving and friendly nature of the Labrador with the head-down, hard-working attitude of the Poodle. This combination also means that the Labradoodle, which is a very energetic and lively dog, is intelligent and eager to please, so it is considered easy to train.

18. Beagle

The Beagle is a small, attractive, energetic hound dog. It is a loving and friendly dog that is also inquisitive and loves to explore.

Beagles have a series of vocalisations, although they are not usually prone to being too yappy, and this intelligent breed not only enjoys training but especially enjoys tasks that require them to use their nose and incredible sense of smell. With enough exercise, this breed can adapt well to life in an apartment.

19. English Springer Spaniel

The English Springer Spaniel was bred to flush birds out for hunters and to retrieve them once killed. Still popular as a hunting companion, the Springer Spaniel is also a popular family companion. They tend to be good with other pets, get along with all family members, and will befriend new people quickly.

Springers are also easy to train and take especially well to canine sports and obedience classes that keep their minds and bodies active. However, they do require a lot of exercise and have high grooming and care requirements.

20. Pomeranian

Finally, on our list of the 20 most popular dog breeds in the UK is the small companion dog, the Pomeranian. Although descended from sledding dogs, the Pomeranian is primarily seen as a companion dog. They are intelligent and they are incredibly loyal family pets.

They can also be quite feisty and do not always get along with other dogs, often picking fights with much larger breeds. Socialising and training can prevent this from being a problem. The small dog needs plenty of attention but can adapt well to living in an apartment and does not require much exercise.

Conclusion

The Labrador Retriever remains the most popular breed of dog in the UK, although more people own mixed breed dogs than any other type. However, the best breed of dog for you and your family is ultimately determined by your likes and your lifestyle. While some may see the incessant exercise demands of a Border Collie as off-putting, if you’re an outdoorsy person that loves to hike in the hills or run in the forest, a Collie could be your ideal dog.

Featured Image Credit: SasaStock, Shutterstock