The top dog breed in the UK in 2021, as measured by number of registrations, was the Labrador Retriever breed. Some 61,559 retrievers were newly registered in the UK in 2021. French Bulldogs and Cocker Spaniels rounded out the top three dog breeds in the UK that year.
Corgi. Perhaps one of the most British dog breeds of all time, the Corgi is world renowned for being the Queen's favoured canine companion. Yet, despite their royal reputation and small size, they were actually originally bred to herd cattle, sheep and even horses!
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.
The 2022 Great Australian Dog Survey has also revealed cavoodles are our most popular dog breed and the most common name for dogs is Luna. Aussies are also happy to splash cash on their pups, with 74 per cent purchasing their dog for more than $1000.
Dogs. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the UK's favourite pet is the dog. More than a quarter of us (26%) own a dog, with an estimated 9 million dogs living in the UK. As well as countless cross-breeds, the most common pure breed dogs in the UK are: Labrador retrievers, cocker spaniels, springer spaniels and German shepherds.
Fond of corgis since she was a small child, Elizabeth II owned more than 30 corgis from her accession in 1952 until her death in 2022. She owned at least one corgi throughout the years 1933 to 2018.
Corgis have had such a special place in the affections of Queen Elizabeth. Corgis, after all, are the original Big small dogs.
The breed is considered highly intelligent and easy to train. Aussies are known for being especially eager to please their owners. True to their herding instincts, Aussies are very protective of their families and territory and will let you know if strangers approach, but they are not considered aggressive.
1. Golden Retriever. It's safe to say that this breed is one of the most personable around. Golden Retrievers are always eager to please and have a calm temperament, which means they will be happy to socialise with everyone – even with other pets!
Though England doesn't have a national dog per se, the British Bulldog is thought to embody the values of the island. This is partly because the breed is so old. It dates back to the 13th century and was owned by one of the country's most famous statesmen: Winston Churchill.
English Bulldog
The English Bulldog is the UK's most expensive dog, with puppies selling for an average of £2,995.
Border Collies win the prize as the UK's smartest dog breed. While dog experts say the average dog can learn about 165 words, Border Collies have been known to learn anything from 250 to a whopping 1,000 words! This intelligence drives from their history as excellent herders.
The British Otterhound is the UK's most endangered native dog breed, according to the Kennel Club. Recognised for its marvellous mane of hair and entertaining nature, the hound is officially rarer than the white rhino, with fewer than 1,000 dogs around the world.
Just as humans stare into the eyes of someone they adore, dogs will stare at their owners to express affection. In fact, mutual staring between humans and dogs releases oxytocin, known as the love hormone. This chemical plays an important role in bonding and boosts feelings of love and trust.
The behavior is a good sign that your dog is happy at home, happy with you, and happy with any other pets or friends that he might encounter throughout the day. As a general rule, Australian Shepherds need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation in order to feel happy.
Splooting is a great stretch for the animals' hips. Splooting also allows the animal to cool themselves by pressing their belly into the ground or against tile floors. Owners may notice that their pets sploot more often when they are younger.
3. Whenever possible, The Queen liked to feed her corgis herself. While she fed them, she didn't make their food, which varies daily: it's prepared by the royal kitchens.
From her own huge array of Corgis, Dorgis, and Dachshunds, to her over 100 horses and her sponsorship of wild animals in London Zoo, the late monarch was a passionate animal lover who will be sorely missed. A young princess Elizabeth was gifted her first dog, a Corgi named Susan, for her 18th birthday in 1944.
Whales and dolphins officially came under the ownership of the Crown in 1324, thanks to an obscure statute that states they are recognized as "fishes royal." This was later expanded to include sturgeon and porpoises, and under the law, the monarch can claim any that are captured or washed ashore within 3 miles of UK ...
Prince William and Princess Kate own an adorable English Cocker Spaniel, while Prince Harry and Meghan Markle adopted a rescue Labrador when they relocated to the UK. Once the royals find a breed that they bond with, they will often make sure they've got one, or two or even five in some cases, next to them for life.