Rover.com®, the world’s largest network of five-star pet sitters and dog walkers, has today released UK’s Most Popular Dog Breeds of 2021.
For the fourth year in a row, mixed breeds were named top dog, while the loyal Labrador Retriever proved the most popular purebred. The Cockapoo, French Bulldog and Cocker Spaniel made up the rest of the top five.
The survey also revealed the biggest surges in popularity, with Adele’s pooch pick, the Dachshund topping the list with a 43% increase in adoption since 2020. Snoop Dog’s doggy of choice, the French Bulldog, was the second highest climber with a 29% increase, and Sharon Osbourne’s fur-vourite, the Pomeranian, snuck into the top 20 for the first time with a 22% rise.
The breed which slipped its lead the most, nationally, was the Jack Russell Terrier, seeing a 23% decrease in adoption. However, try telling that to pet-parents in London, Birmingham or Edinburgh – cities in which the Jack Russell Terrier came out top choice. In contrast, a breed only going in one direction is the Cockapoo, favourite of pop-star Harry Styles, which was found to be the biggest favourite in Leeds, Bristol and Liverpool.
The data showed just how many pandemic pups have been taken on in the last year, with 42% of respondents saying they had brought a new dog into the family since March 2020. Brits have also spent the last year finding the perfect pup-partner for pets they already have, with 58% saying they already had a dog before their most recent addition.
With people having spent an increased amount of time inside over the last year, the biggest consideration when choosing a breed was it being family friendly (53%). Other key factors included wanting a snuggle buddy (48%), needing a breed that gets on with other pets (36%), and desiring the perfect work from home colleague in a highly intelligent hound (32%).
Adem Fehmi, Canine Behaviourist for Rover, said: “Labradors have been popular pets for many years. With the right breeding they can be family friendly and their physiology makes them agile and perfect for joining owners on their modern day adventures, from coffee shop outings to dog friendly staycations. Couple this with their often laid back temperament and amenability, you can see why they’ve been a popular pandemic pup purchase.
But when it comes to the top spot, it’s difficult to see the Mixed breed being knocked off the podium anytime soon. Mixed breeds can make wonderful pets and often have fewer health issues overall due to their out breeding and genetic diversity in comparison to some pure breeds. It is important however for people to look for the right individual dog for their home and lifestyle, rather than being set on a breed. I always advise people to consider the temperament of a dog they are thinking of purchasing or adopting, not just the way they look.”
For anyone looking to find loving care for their dogs or cats, Rover has thousands of trusted pet care providers available across the UK who can offer a helping hand.
For more information and to find your perfect sitter or walker, please visit: https://www.rover.com/uk/
