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Most Popular Dog Breeds Of 2024 Revealed (UK)
Updated June 2024
Tug-E-Nuff surveyed dog owners with our annual Power of Play survey to find out what breeds are the most popular (and what makes the dog population tick!)
Our 2024 Power of Play report discloses happy news! Over 96% of owners play regularly with their dogs and declare that play boosts their bond, improves motivation and makes their dog’s happy.
Our dog owners share their lives with over 100 different breeds, from rare breeds such as Bracco Italiano, Hovawart and even a Canadian Eskimo Dog, through to popular breeds we all recognise like Retrievers, Spaniels and Collies.
Without further ado, let’s reveal the most popular dog breeds across the UK right now.
THE TOP 15 DOG BREEDS IN THE UK*
According to our 2024 Power of Play survey, the most popular dog breeds in the UK are:
#1 - Labrador Retriever
#2 - Border Collie
#3 - English Cocker Spaniel
#4 - Cockapoo
#5 - Golden Retriever
#6 - German Shepherd Dog
#7 - Staffordshire Bull Terrier
#8 - Springer Spaniel
#9 - Jack Russell Terrier
#10 - Labradoodle
#11 - Boxer
#12 - Whippet
#13 - Miniature Schnauzer
#14 - Border Terrier
#15 - French Bulldog
* 91% of our survey respondents are based in the UK.
1. Labrador
Labradors are no stranger to popular breed lists, and this year they have taken the crown as the UK’s most popular dog breed. This intelligent, enthusiastic and friendly breed are retrievers and belong to the Gundog Group.
Traditionally retrievers were bred to retrieve game and return it, which may explain their desire to fetch and carry their toys!
Discover our top 3 toy picks sure to please your Labrador Retriever here.
2. Border Collie
Border Collies are high energy, highly intelligent and highly motivated by movement! Collies are natural herders which means they need significant physical and mental stimulation to keep them happy.
Whilst many Collies are no longer used to herd sheep, their natural instincts haven’t strayed far. Discover the best dog toys for keeping Collie’s happy, stimulated and focused on you!
3. English Cocker Spaniel
English Cocker Spaniels are an active, clever and often very sociable breed. They belong to the Gundog family, and their heritage still runs strong! If you have a Cocker Spaniel then you may find their desire to chase birds and track scents is still very much alive and kicking!
Take a look at our top toy picks for teaching your Spaniel recall, focus and channelling their crazy (yet delightful) Cocker instincts!
Learn more about why dogs can have high prey drive here (and discover what to do about it!).
4. Cockapoo
The Cockapoo is a cross between a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle, and they’ve soared in popularity in the last decade. Their attractive teddy bear looks combine with a spirited, playful and affectionate personality.
Cockapoos can vary in size and appearance depending on their heritage. They are often energetic and thrive on attention. Check out our top toy picks for keeping your cockapoo entertained here.
5. Golden Retriever
Who doesn’t love a Goldie?! Golden Retrievers enjoy training, are loyal as they come and are joyously playful. These friendly and devoted dogs have long held a place on the most popular breed lists, and this year is no exception!
Retrievers belong to the Gundog group, and were originally bred for retrieving game. As such, they have a soft mouth, but that doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy a good game of tug!
Learn what the experts say about Gundogs playing tug here.
6. German Shepherd
German Shepherds are a noble, intelligent and alert breed. Originally bred to both herd and guard, these beautiful dog’s often retain a sense of duty to protect and can be curious about any changes to the norm in their environment.
This intelligent breed thrives on having a purpose in life. GSD’s need to be kept mentally and physically stimulated, so they don’t find their own work!
7. Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Staffies are a fun loving, smart, gentle, yet determined breed. These strong dogs win over many hearts with their playful and affectionate nature.
Staffies are nicknamed the nanny dog due to their devotion to their family and loving nature.
Tap into your Staffie’s desire to play and have fun with our top toys picks especially for Staffies.
8. Springer Spaniel
Springer Spaniels are full of enthusiasm, affection and very loyal dogs. It’s no wonder they’ve made the most popular breed list!
Springers belong to the Gundog group and like most Spaniels, they thrive on being active, mentally stimulated and having fun!
Find the best toys to keep your Springer Spaniel entertained and out of mischief here.
9. Jack Russell Terrier
Jack Russell’s are a wonderfully plucky and determined breed. The terrier in them makes the Jack Russell tenacious, hardy and full of enthusiasm. JRT’s are lively, alert and full of fun.
Originally bred to hunt foxes, Jack Russell’s have a strong prey drive and may thoroughly enjoy shredding their toys! Take a look at our top toys picks for terriers and make the most of their natural instincts with interactive play.
10. Labradoodle
Labradoodle’s are a popular cross breed dog, bred from Labradors and Poodles. They’re friendly, curious and eager to please, making them a top favourite among dog owners.
Labradoodles are smart and energetic which makes regular play and training an essential part of Doodle life. Find our top toy picks for Doodles here, and unleash the power of play!
11. Boxer
Boxers are lovable, goofy and very energetic dogs. Despite their clown-like nature, Boxer’s are incredibly smart dogs who benefit from the opportunity to use their brains!
Physical and mental stimulation are essential for a happy boxer – you can find our top toy picks for this much-loved breed here.
12. Whippet
Whippets are super fast, yet perhaps surprisingly calm dogs for the most part. Whilst this speedy breed are quick, they don’t require as much exercise as you may think.
Once a whippet has expended their need for speed, they are gentle, affectionate and pretty keen on a good long snuggle somewhere warm!
Thanks to their sighthound genetics, whippets have a high prey drive. What they really love is to chase and catch - making our range of chaser toys a high value reward for Whippets!
Find our top toy picks for prey-driven sight hounds here.
13. Miniature Schnauzer
The Miniature Schnauzer is the smallest of the Schnauzer family. They love human company, are full of personality and are adventurous little dogs.
Schnauzer’s are very clever, and benefit from plenty of mental stimulation as well as exercise. They are often very food motivated, making our food toys the top pick for play, training and bonding with this spirited breed!
14. Border Terrier
Border Terriers are rough-coated, fun loving and good tempered little dogs. Whilst a tough and hardy breed, they are also very loving and affectionate.
Like all Terriers, they often love to dig, shred and of course, TUG!
Meet our top Terrier tuggies, perfectly formed for small yet tenacious jaws!
15. French Bulldog
Frenchies are wonderful companion dogs who are full of charm and character. They may be small but they have huge personalities and love a good play.
French Bulldogs are strong little dogs with an independent streak. But they love nothing more than being with their humans.
Enrich your Frenchie’s life and make the most of their desire to play with our top interactive toy picks for French Bulldogs.
Whether your favourite breed made the list or not, we can all agree the very best breed is definitely DOG!
Average dogs per household (UK)
Ever wondered how many dogs are too many?!
Of over 1000 dog owners surveyed, 65% live in a single dog household, and 33% live in a multi-dog household.
Our 2024 Power of Play survey of over 1000 dog owners and 100+ different dog breeds also revealed:
OVER 96% OF OWNERS REGULARLY PLAY WITH THEIR DOG
OVER 99% OF OWNERS WOULD RECOMMEND TUG-E-NUFF TO A FRIEND
MORE THAN 88% OF OWNERS SAID TUG-E-NUFF TOYS MADE THEIR DOG'S HAPPY
What is the Power of Play?
It’s no secret that at Tug-E-Nuff, we’re huge fans of making durable, high-quality toys that encourage interactive play. In fact, we’re on a mission to enrich the relationship humans and dogs share using the Power of Play.
The benefits of play with our dogs are huge. Play has the power to boost bonds, lift spirits, relieve stress, and it’s a surefire way to make training more fun. From teaching recall and learning tricks to boosting bonds and providing enrichment, play with Tug-E-Nuff toys tick every box.
Our dog training experts design every Tug-E-Nuff toy to help owners have more fun and solve behaviour and training issues. From nervousness and a lack of confidence to poor recall and a lack of motivation, our toys are designed to help boost results and transform struggles into wins, all through the power of play.
The Power of Play Course
Over 10,000 dog owners have enrolled on our free Power of Play course, which helps owners to unlock the secrets to successfully using play in their training.
Tap into 13 bite-sized dog training lessons and unleash the power of play today.
