The UK’s most popular dogs in 2024

A recent report by online pet marketplace Pets4Homes has revealed the top ten most popular dog ‘breeds’ in the UK right now – and those that have fallen out of favour. The results are based on metrics taken from the number of sales and views of adverts placed on their website, so may not give a fully accurate picture of the most popular breed amongst people who aren’t actually looking for a dog right now, but it is certainly a good indicator of changing trends in dog popularity and what people are currently looking for in a furry best friend.

Before we reveal the top ten, you may have noticed that we put the word ‘breed’ in inverted commas – this is because four of the dogs (including the number one pooch) are actually crossbreeds – where two specific breeds have been crossed to create a dog with the desirable characteristics of both breeds (and a slightly silly hybrid name).

The top dog on the list is the Goldendoodle, a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Standard Poodle (also known as a Groodle or Golden Poodle, although frankly, Golden Retroodle is probably more accurate, right?) I remember the first time I was introduced to a ‘Goldendoodle’ at puppy training class many years ago and my first thought was “what a stupid name!” They do, however make fabulous pets!

Goldendoodle pic by Alteredsnaps on Pexels

So whose idea was it to cross these two breeds?  The first known deliberate Doodle puppies were bred by Monica Dickens (Follyfoot author and granddaughter of Charles Dickens) back in 1969. Although the breed didn’t take off back then, they experienced a resurgence following the Labradoodle craze of the early noughties when everyone was rushing to get a designer hybrid dog. This is because it turned out that Labradoodles don’t necessarily make particularly great pets. In fact the guy credited with creating the ‘breed,’  Wally Conron has gone on the record to say it is his greatest regret. Wally originally decided to breed a Poodle and a Labrador following a request from a blind woman in Hawaii, who needed a guide dog that wouldn’t set off her husband’s allergies. Whilst this experiment was a success, many unscrupulous breeders started crossing all kinds of things with Poodles and giving them silly names and - according to Wally - many of those dogs were either crazy or had serious health issues. In fact, he was so concerned, that when he heard Barack Obama was considering getting a Labradoodle as a family pet, he wrote to him telling him not to.

Although the popularity of the Labradoodle has waned, they are still popular, coming in at number six on the Pets4Homes report, but they just aren’t quite as fabulous as the Goldendoodle, which appears to be a real dream breed pairing,  so what makes Doodles so special and why are they so popular right now? 

According to Axel Lagercrantz, CEO of Pets4Homes, some of the trends are due to public preference, post pandemic:

“After the baby boom of the pandemic, many homes are searching for dogs which will go well with their new, young family.

“Goldendoodles are typically very good with children and other pets and dogs, are calm around humans and are naturally curious and playful.”

However, as the Doodle experiences a surge in popularity, other once-desirable breeds are now on the wane. Small ‘handbag’ breeds including, Dachshunds, Chihuahuas and French Bulldogs and muscular looking dogs such as the now-banned XL Bully breed have fallen out of favour, as Lagercrantz explains:

“In a year where muscular dogs have been at the centre of much publicity, our message to prospective owners of how much care and management these breeds require has been getting through to consumers.

“We have been proactive for many years on our site in advising the needs of these breeds and the careful management of their temperament. We have seen a decline in the purchase of such dogs across the board.”

Doberman pic by DSD on Pexels

But this doesn’t mean that the public are giving up on ‘protection’ dogs altogether, as demonstrated by number 2 on the list – the Doberman. These large dogs are traditionally used in security and protection roles (think: Mr Burn’s ‘hounds’ in the Simpsons) but they also make good family pets, as they are very loyal and affectionate.

So, who else made the list and why are they popular with the pet buying public? Here’s our little run down of the ten coolest dogs in town right now (according to Pets4Homes) and why you might want to get one.

1. Goldendoodle

• Cross between a Golden Retriever and a Standard Poodle
• Lifespan: 10 to 15 years.
• Personality traits: Friendly, intelligent, and affectionate. Goldendoodles are known for their gentle disposition, making them excellent family pets and therapy dogs. They are highly trainable and enjoy being around people.
• Physical features: Goldendoodles typically have a curly or wavy coat that can come in various colours such as cream, gold, or red. They have a sturdy build with a medium to large size, depending on the size of their Poodle parent.

2. Doberman

• Lifespan: 10 to 12 years.
• Personality traits: Alert, loyal, and intelligent. Dobermans are known for their loyalty to their families and their protective nature. They are highly trainable and excel in obedience and agility activities. Despite their intimidating appearance, they are affectionate with their loved ones.
• Physical features: Dobermans have a sleek, muscular build with a short, smooth coat. They are typically black, blue, red, or fawn in colour, with distinctive rust-coloured markings.

Malitpoo pic by Sadi Gökpınar on Pexels

3. Maltipoo

• Cross between a Maltese Dog and a Toy Poodle
• Lifespan: 12 to 16 years.
• Personality traits: Playful, affectionate, and outgoing. Maltipoos are a cross between a Maltese and a Poodle, inheriting the intelligence and friendliness of both breeds. They are well-suited for families and individuals alike and are known for their gentle demeanour.
• Physical features: Maltipoos have a soft, fluffy coat that can vary in colour, depending on the genetics of their parents. They are small-sized dogs with expressive eyes and a compact build.

4. Golden Retriever

• Lifespan: 10 to 12 years.
• Personality traits: Friendly, outgoing, and loyal. Golden Retrievers are beloved for their gentle nature and affectionate disposition. They are highly sociable dogs that get along well with children, other pets, and strangers. They are also known for their intelligence and eagerness to please.
• Physical features: Golden Retrievers have a dense, water-repellent coat that is typically golden in colour. They have a sturdy, athletic build with a friendly expression.

5. Whippet

• Lifespan: 12 to 15 years.
• Personality traits: Gentle, affectionate, and playful. Whippets are known for their sweet temperament and love for their families. They are calm and well-mannered indoors but can be energetic and playful when outdoors. They are also independent thinkers but respond well to positive reinforcement training.
• Physical features: Whippets have a sleek, muscular build with a short, smooth coat. They resemble small Greyhounds, with long legs, a deep chest, and a narrow waist.

6. Labradoodle

• Cross between a Labrador and a Standard Poodle
• Lifespan: 10 to 15 years.
• Personality traits: Intelligent, affectionate, and outgoing. Labradoodles are a cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle, inheriting the best traits of both breeds. They are highly trainable and make excellent family pets, therapy dogs, and service dogs.
• Physical features: Labradoodles can have a variety of coat types, including curly, wavy, or straight. They come in various colours and sizes, depending on the size of their Poodle parent.

7. Cavapoo

• Cross between and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Toy Poodle
• Lifespan: 10 to 15 years.
• Personality traits: Affectionate, playful, and adaptable. Cavapoos are a cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Poodle, known for their friendly nature and intelligence. They are well-suited for families and individuals living in apartments or houses with small yards.
• Physical features: Cavapoos typically have a soft, curly or wavy coat that can come in various colours such as black, white, or apricot. They have a compact build with expressive eyes and floppy ears.

Vizsla pic Efrem Efre on Pexels

8. Hungarian Vizsla

• Lifespan: 10 to 14 years.
• Personality traits: Energetic, affectionate, and loyal. Vizslas are known for their boundless energy and love for their families. They are highly trainable and excel in various dog sports and activities. They thrive on human companionship and can develop separation anxiety if left alone for long periods.
• Physical features: Vizslas have a sleek, athletic build with a short, smooth coat that is typically golden rust in colour. They have a distinctive rust-coloured nose and expressive eyes.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel pic by Radovan Zierik on Pexels

9. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

• Lifespan: 10 to 14 years.
• Personality traits: Gentle, affectionate, and friendly. Cavaliers are known for their sweet temperament and love for cuddling. They are excellent companion dogs and get along well with children, other pets, and strangers. They are also adaptable and can thrive in various living situations.
• Physical features: Cavaliers have a compact, toy-like build with a long, silky coat that comes in various colours such as Blenheim, tricolour, black and tan, or ruby. They have a distinctive "sweet" expression with large, dark eyes and long, feathered ears.

Miniature Schnauzers pic by Sebastian Coman on Pexels

10. Miniature Schnauzer

• Lifespan: 12 to 15 years.
• Personality traits: Alert, spirited, and intelligent. Miniature Schnauzers are known for their lively personality and loyalty to their families. They are highly trainable and excel in various dog sports and activities. They are also known for their distinctive beard and eyebrows.
• Physical features: Miniature Schnauzers have a sturdy, square build with a wiry coat that comes in colours such as salt and pepper, black, or black and silver. They have a distinctive beard and bushy eyebrows, which give them a very expressive looking face.

Did your dog make the list? If not, let us know who you think should be up there, we’d love to hear your opinion in the comments section below.

Main pic: Dog in the snow by Deann DaSilva on Pexels