1. Labrador Retriever
The famously friendly and loyal labrador has regained its spot at the top of the Kennel Club’s most popular dog breeds table after being knocked off in 2018 by the French Bulldog. Labradors make the perfect family dog; they’re highly sociable, enthusiastic, easy to train and love to play. Like many dogs, they require a lot of exercise, like swimming and plenty of games of fetch to keep them physically and mentally fit. Labradors are most loved for their affectionate and patient nature which makes them a great pet for families with young children and other kind natured dogs.
2. French Bulldog
In second place is the fiercely loyal French Bulldog. They thrive on attention so they make the perfect companion and are great for single-person households. They’re a popular breed for city workers because of how low maintenance they are; they can live quite happily in a flat because they don’t require as much exercise as other breeds, however, they’re not the easiest breed to housetrain. It’s recommended to walk them at least once daily to keep them at a healthy weight but they much prefer to spend time indoors receiving lots of cuddles and fuss.
3. Cocker Spaniel
The charming Cocker Spaniel takes the third spot on the most popular dog breeds list. Cocker Spaniels are loved for their gentle and affectionate personalities. They’re considered to be great with children but due to their kind nature, they don’t make very good watchdogs. Cocker Spaniels have beautiful yet elaborate coats that require grooming weekly to keep them looking healthy and shiny. They were primarily bred to be sporting dogs so they need plenty of daily exercise.
4. Bulldog
Another popular dog breed in the UK is the Bulldog. Bulldogs were originally bred for fighting and baiting but they’re known today to be sweet and gentle and they make wonderful family pets. Despite their grumpy face, Bulldogs are very friendly and happy dogs. They’re considered to be very dependable and they actively solicit attention from their owners, but due to their stubborn and strong-willed nature, they’re not the easiest dogs to train.
5. English Springer Spaniel
In fifth place is the highly energetic and lively English Springer Spaniel. They’re fairly intelligent and are reasonably easy to train but they can become a handful if they aren’t getting enough exercise. They require a long run every day to keep them fit and entertained. Some English Springer Spaniels can be very shy and anxious around strangers but in general, they’re outgoing, active, inquisitive and good-natured.
6. Golden Retriever
Sixth on the list of most popular dog breeds in the UK is the loveable Golden Retriever. If you’re looking for an intelligent and affectionate breed, Golden Retrievers are a great choice. They tend to get on well with other pets and are loving towards children and strangers alike. Golden Retrievers are famously known for how well they respond to obedience training which is why they make such good service and professional dogs. They’re not big barkers and they lack guarding instincts so don’t expect them to protect your home from burglars.
7. Miniature Smooth-Haired Dachshund
Seventh on the list of most popular dog breeds in the UK is the Miniature Smooth-Haired Dachshund. They might be miniature but Dachshunds have big, brave personalities. They make great family dogs; they’re loyal companions and good watchdogs, but they can be more difficult to train compared to other breeds. They’re good with children if treated well, however, they tend to take on animals much bigger than themselves so they can be aggressive towards other dogs and strangers.
8. Pug
In at number eight, we have the Pug. Pugs are fairly calm dogs with laid-back personalities. They’re happy, loyal, charming and they don’t have a tendency to bark, dig or chew. They mostly get along with other breeds and love being in the company of others. However, Training a pug can be particularly challenging due to their strong will, but they’re a very intelligent breed and they have bundles of love to give.
9. German Shepherd Dog
In at number nine, we have the GSD. German Shepherd Dogs are highly intelligent and very easy to train so obedience training is recommended from a young age. They make very faithful companions and great guard dogs but their strong guarding instincts means they can be wary of strangers. German Shepherds get along very well with other pets and children as long as they’re raised with them. They’re very high energy and require a lot of activity and exercise.
10. Miniature Schnauzer
And last but by no means least, the Miniature Schnauzer steals tenth place on the list of most popular dog breeds. Miniature Schnauzers are extremely smart and very lively little dogs. They’re great around children of all ages and are super playful. They’re are also known for being obedient, well behaved and devoted to their family. However, they can be pretty feisty and ready to put up a fight when confronted by dogs they don’t know.
Comparing pet insurance providers
Now that you’ve taken a look at the most popular dog breeds in the UK, it’s time to consider the serious part of getting a new pet. Insurance should be your number one priority after choosing a breed to welcome into your home. If your dog were to become unwell, you need to think about how you could afford to pay for their treatment. Without insurance, it could become extremely costly.
Our pet insurance comparison table ranks providers exclusively on customer experience and product quality. Unlike traditional comparison sites, we don’t believe that cheap pet insurance is the best. That’s why we collect and analyse pet insurance reviews so that you can get a clear idea of how insurers treat their customers and which insurers will be there for you when you need them most.