Top 20 Most Popular Dog Breeds In The UK - Predictions For 2022
Top 20 Most Popular Dog Breeds In The UK - Predictions For 2022
The most popular dog breeds vary year over year with some breeds enjoying newfound popularity and others featuring on the list time and time again. Below we’ve predicted this year’s popularity trends based on the breeds that have been most popular on our website for the last 12 months.
1. Golden Retriever
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Size: 51-61cm
Weight: 29 - 34kg
Personality: Adaptable, devoted, smart, friendly
Colour: Golden (light and dark)
Life Expectancy: 10-12 years
Golden Retrievers regularly rank among the UK’s most popular dog breeds. These intelligent dogs are excellent family dogs, they are friendly with high energy levels and are easy to train. Golden Retrievers are big softies but need a lot of exercise each day.
2. Labradoodle
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Size: 30-71cm
Weight: 10-40kg
Personality: Affectionate, hardworking, energetic
Colour: Various colours and combinations including black, cream, brown
Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
This cross between a Labrador and a Poodle has become one of the most popular dog breeds in recent years. These dogs make fantastic family pets and are ideal for first-time owners. Labradoodles are easy to train and eager to please. One of the things that make this breed popular is that they don’t shed much but do need regular brushing to keep their hair tangle-free.
3. Border Collie
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Size: 46 - 56cm
Weight: 14 - 20kg
Personality: Intelligent, energetic, affectionate
Colour: Tricolour, Black & White, Gold, Slate, Red, Sable, Merle, Cream, Brown & White
Life Expectancy: 10-14 years
Border Collies are one of the most popular dog breeds for both working environments (sheep herding) and family homes. These dogs are energetic and hard-working but enjoy cuddles after their job is done. Border Collies are not the best dog breed for first-time owners but for active and experienced families, they are a great breed choice.
4. Siberian Husky
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Size: 51-61cm
Weight: 20-27kg
Personality: Mischievous, loyal, active
Colour: A wide variety of colour combinations including Black and White, Cream and White, Grey and White, Red and White, and White.
Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
Siberian Huskies are a popular breed choice for active families. These sled dogs are active, fast, and have excellent endurance allowing them to be on the go for long periods. Huskies are friendly, they have big personalities and tend to love people. These beautiful dogs need lots of exercise and are best suited to experienced owners.
5. Dachshund
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Size: 20-27cm
Weight: 7-12kg
Personality: Stubborn, alert, curious
Colour: Fawn and Tan, Black and Cream, Red, Black and Tan, Cream
Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
Dachshunds are small dogs with big personalities. These outgoing dogs are highly adaptable, affectionate and playful. Dachshunds tend to bark but positive, reward-based training helps to prevent stubbornness and unwanted behaviour. Although small, Dachshunds have lots of energy and love plenty of exercise each day.
6. Jack Russell Terrier
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Size: 25-30cm
Weight: 6-8kg
Personality: Affectionate, playful, independent
Colour: White with Black/Tan markings
Life Expectancy: 13-16 years
Jack Russell Terriers have long been one of the most popular family dogs in the UK thanks to their friendly natures, low maintenance coats, and playful personalities. Jack Russells have always been popular but once again began to climb up the list of top dog breeds in 2019 when rescue dog Dilyn moved to Downing Street. These dogs are happy, energetic, and love being with people.
7. Whippet
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Size: 44-51cm
Weight: 11-18kg
Personality: Elegant, gentle, adaptable
Colour: Black, Parti-colour, Brindle, Fawn, Cream, Red, White
Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
Whippets are enjoying newfound popularity and have made their way into the top 10 dog breeds this year. Whippets are affectionate dogs that are gentle and thrive in a family environment. These adaptable dogs can handle living in smaller homes but need lots of exercise, playtime and mental stimulation.
8. Cockapoo
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Size: 25-38cm
Weight: 5-10kg
Personality: Social, affectionate, sweet
Colour: Blonde, Black, Tan, Red, Cream, White, Silver, Brindle, Merle
Life Expectancy: 14-18 years
A combination of a Poodle and a Cocker Spaniel, the Cockapoo is a gentle, friendly, and popular family dog. Cockapoos are adaptable dogs that are known to be affectionate, loyal and fun-loving. They are a good breed choice for first-time owners and are easy to train, although they can be sensitive so positive reward-based training is important.
9. Staffordshire Bull Terrier
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Size: 33-41cm
Weight: 13-17kg
Personality: Confident, energetic, playful
Colour: Fawn, Red, White, Black, Blue, Brindle
Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
Staffordshire Bull Terriers are one of the most popular terrier breeds. These dogs are people-orientated, adaptable, and have kind natures. Staffies are fun and gentle but they can be boisterous so training and socialisation are important.
10. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
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Size: 30-33cm
Weight: 4-8kg
Personality: Sweet-natured, gentle, social
Colour: Chestnut & White, Black & Tan, Tricolour, Ruby
Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are popular family dogs thanks to their people-orientated nature and small size. These dogs are loyal, gentle, and sweet-natured, although they don’t do well left alone.
11. Yorkshire Terrier
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Size: 25-28cm
Weight: 6-9kg
Personality: Loyal, alert, confident
Colour: Black and Tan, Blue and Tan
Life Expectancy: 13-16 years
Yorkshire Terriers are great dogs for first-time owners. They are adaptable, small in size, and eager to please, making them great to live with. Yorkies love to be the centre of attention and they thrive in a home environment.
12. Cocker Spaniel
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Size: 38-41cm
Weight: 13-14kg
Personality: Playful, even-tempered, people-orientated
Colour: Black, Black and Tan, Black and White, Chocolate, Chocolate and Tan, Chocolate and White, Roan, Golden, Liver, Liver and White, Red
Life Expectancy: 11-12 years
Cocker Spaniels have been one of the UK’s favourite family dog breeds for decades. These spaniels are highly adaptable, good-natured, and eager to please their owners. Cocker Spaniels are social and enjoy being around people and dogs, they are also good with children thanks to their even temper.
13. French Bulldog
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Size: 30cm
Weight: 11-13kg
Personality: Adaptable, people-orientated, laid-back
Colour: Brindle, Fawn, Pied
Life Expectancy: 10-14 years
French Bulldogs have skyrocketed in popularity over recent years. Frenchies are fun-loving dogs that are known for being laid-back and good-natured. French Bulldogs are small in size and enjoy nothing more than cuddling with their humans, these mischievous pups are one of the most popular companion dog breeds in the UK.
14. Chow Chow
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Size: 43-51cm
Weight: 25-32kg
Personality: Aloof, proud, loyal
Colour: Black, Cream, Fawn, Red, White
Life Expectancy: 9-15 years
Chow Chows are a popular dog breed thanks to their loyal natures and unique appearance. These dogs have a thick, fluffy coat and a black/blue coloured tongue. Chow Chows tend to be aloof with people they don’t know but are incredibly devoted to their owners. When socialised well these dogs are well-rounded and obedient.
15. English Springer Spaniel
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Size: 43 - 51cm
Weight: 23-25kg
Personality: Social, playful, affectionate
Colour: Black and White, Liver and White
Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
English Springer Spaniels have been one of the most popular dog breeds in the UK for decades. They are kind, loyal, and have even tempers making them perfect for family life. English Springer Spaniels are gun dogs so they are active, obedient and easy to train.
16. English Bulldog
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Size: 30-40cm
Weight: 23-25kg
Personality: Loyal, adaptable, easy-going
Colour: Brindle, Fawn, Red, White
Life Expectancy: 8-10 years
English Bulldogs are one of the UK’s oldest native breeds and remain incredibly popular thanks to their loving natures and comical personalities. English Bulldogs are gentle, loyal, and tolerant but they can be stubborn at times. They may also snore when snoozing!
17. Tibetan Mastiff
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Size: 36-41cm
Weight: 45-72kg
Personality: Quiet, gentle, strong-willed
Colour: Black and Tan, Grey and Tan, Black, Grey, Gold
Life Expectancy: 9-15 years
Tibetan Mastiffs have been increasing in popularity in the UK. These large dogs were originally bred in the Himalayas as protection dogs so they are naturally protective. Tibetan Mastiffs are intelligent and gentle, and they are calm when at home but need enough exercise and playtime each day to keep them happy.
18. Cavapoo
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Size: 33-45cm
Weight: 5-10kg
Personality: Sweet-natured, loyal, calm
Colour: Black, White, Chestnut, Chestnut and White, Tricolour, Gold
Life Expectancy: 13-15 years
A Cavapoo is similar to a cockapoo in that it is a Poodle crossbreed, but this time the cross is with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. This breed is known for being friendly, devoted, and highly adaptable. Cavapoos seem to get along with absolutely everyone and thrive on human company. They are also receptive to learning and enjoy the one-on-one attention of training sessions.
19. Maltese
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Size: 20-25cm
Weight: 2-5kg
Personality: Playful, friendly, independent
Colour: White
Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
The Maltese are a charming dog breed that has a playful yet independent nature. These small dogs have big characters and they remain puppy-like well into adulthood. Maltese dogs are versatile and tend to be happy wherever their family is.
20. Chihuahua
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Size: 15-25cm
Weight: 1.8-2.7kg
Personality: Charming, energetic, alert
Colour: Black, White, Chocolate, Fawn, Gold, Cream
Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
While the Chihuahua is the smallest dog in the world, this charming breed has not been overlooked. Securing the top 20 spot, the energetic Chihuahua has proven to be a perfect companion for many. These dogs are easy to train, require minimal grooming, and make excellent watchdogs.
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