An in-depth analysis of over 2 million pet dogs residing in the UK during 2019 has unveiled fascinating insights into the country's canine population. Leading the charts are mixed-breeds, Labrador Retrievers, and Jack Russell Terriers, dominating the list of most common breeds. However, the study, conducted by Dan O’Neill from the Royal Veterinary College, UK, and fellow researchers, also sheds light on the popularity of breeds with physical features associated with increased health risks.

With dogs reigning as the most popular pets in the UK, it becomes crucial to comprehend the demographics of the canine population, encompassing breed, sex, and physical characteristics. This knowledge is vital in guiding prospective dog owners towards breeds that are less likely to experience issues related to extreme body shape and health risks. Until recently, comprehensive and high-quality data concerning UK dogs has been scarce. However, thanks to VetCompass—a program at the Royal Veterinary College—since 2010, more than 30% of UK veterinary clinics have been contributing anonymized pet demographic and health data on over 25 million animals. This valuable resource has granted researchers unparalleled access to comprehensive dog data.

Analysis

The analysis of data from 2,237,105 dogs under the care of UK veterinary clinics in 2019 provided a clearer picture of UK dog demographics. The study unveiled that 69.4 percent of the dogs were purebred, 6.7 percent were designer-crossbred (e.g., cockapoos or labradoodles), and 24 percent were mixed-breed. The most common breeds across the board were mixed-breed, Labrador Retrievers, and Jack Russell Terriers. Among puppies less than 1 year old, mixed-breed, French Bulldogs, and cockapoos emerged as the top three. Male dogs slightly outnumbered female dogs in the overall population.

Findings

Intriguingly, a closer examination of physical characteristics revealed that 17.6 percent of the dogs in the study represented breeds like pugs, French Bulldogs, and English Bulldogs, known for brachycephaly—a flattened skull shape associated with increased health risks. The researchers expressed concerns about a potential "canine healthcare crisis" in the UK as the number of dogs with brachycephaly and other extreme physical characteristics continues to rise and age, exacerbating the adverse effects of such extreme body shapes.

These valuable findings can aid scientists, breeders, veterinarians, dog owners, and prospective owners in making informed decisions that prioritize dog health. Dr. Dan O’Neill emphasizes that with over 800 dog breeds available in the UK, there are numerous healthy options that don't suffer from extreme body shapes. He encourages potential owners to think critically before acquiring a dog with such physical features.