Best Dog Breeds - Top 10 Breeds in the UK

When looking for the perfect pet for you or your family, you want to make sure that you cover all the basics. From pricing, ownership, health, and popularity of the breeds in the UK.

Well once again, Waggel is here to lovingly guide you through the mire and reach the glorious fields of dog ownership with minimal fuss.

 So what are the most popular dogs in the UK? 

Simply, the favourite dog breed in the UK is the mixed breed dog or cross breed dogs. This is true for family dogs and single persons dogs.

The second most popular breed of dog in the UK is the Labrador, although coming in close is the Cockapoo.

Labrador retrievers are also hugely popular in the UK, appearing in the top 5 breeds in every region except for the South East (where they are still in the top 10) and London (where they are outside the top 10).

German Shepherds appear to be the only exception to this rule. While they consistently appear in the top 10 popular breeds in most regions of the UK, not only are they unusually popular in the Greater London Area but also far less popular in Wales than anywhere else.

But what are the top 10 most 'popular' breeds in the UK? 

1. Mixed Breed

Mixed breeds are the most popular type of dog in the UK. 

The dogs are a mix of three or more breeds and are often known as mutts or mongrels.

Due to the very nature of their breeding, every mixed breed is unique in both looks and personality.

Mixed breeds are often healthier than pedigree breeds as they're less prone to genetic health problems.

They also tend to be much friendlier towards humans because they've been bred for companionship rather than purebred competition.

2. Labrador Retriever

Labrador Retrievers are a popular dog in the UK for a variety of reasons. Labradors are loyal to their owners, meaning they will protect you and love you unconditionally. They are a friendly, affectionate breed with a great personality that makes them wonderful family dogs.

They also have a high level of intelligence meaning they can be easily trained.

Labrador Retrievers are typically not aggressive or difficult to get along with which is another reason why they are so popular.

3. Cockapoo

Another popular dog breed in the UK are Cockapoos are a mix between the fun-loving Cocker Spaniel and the elegant Poodle, creating a dog with high intelligence and spirit with an adorable personality.

Cockapoos can be active or more relaxed depending on their type, and they make perfect family pets.

The Cockapoo is an ideal choice for first-time and novice owners as they're fairly easy to train, only require 15 – 30 minute walks each day, and don't need a lot of grooming. With multiple Cockapoo colours and coat types, you are sure to find the most amazingly cute pup for you and your family.

They also have the added benefit of being very intelligent dogs that are great with children.

Cockapoos are generally friendly towards strangers but may become wary of new people entering their home/space.

4. French Bulldog

The French Bulldog is a small, comical dog with an infectious personality.

They are popular due to their adorable love of life and unique appearance.

One defining feature of the French bulldog is their stubbornness. Despite their stubbornness, they can respond well to training if you are consistent and keep it entertaining.

Frenchies have been known to be very loyal dogs that will follow your commands even when they don’t want to do so.

This makes them great family pets as long as you train them properly.

5. Cocker Spaniel

The Cocker Spaniel is a dog that excels in obedience, agility and tracking competitions.

An exceptionally intelligent breed, they are known for their big, bright eyes and are loyal companions and have a strong hunting instinct.

They are often described as being "spunky", so they are often the pets of choice for those who love a little bit of mischief too. Cockers have been bred to be very friendly with children and other animals.

The breed standard describes them as having an 'alert expression', which makes it easy to detect when one has spotted something interesting or someone new!

An energetic breed, they require space for exercise or a good long walk to keep them healthy and happy. At least one hour of exercise per day is advised.

You can see our full guide to all spaniel breeds here.

6. Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever is one of the most popular breeds in the UK. It has a friendly, outgoing personality and makes an excellent family pet, especially those who have an active life.

The breed was originally bred to retrieve game birds from water but it can also be trained for other jobs such as retrieving items dropped by children or fetching balls thrown into ponds, as many love the water.

Golden Retrievers are very intelligent dogs that make great companions. They have been known to live up to 15 years with proper care and attention.

Golden Retrievers need plenty of regular exercise so they should not be kept inside all day long. This dog needs daily walks and playtime outside.

Having a mid-length silky coat with an undercoat, they tend to shed so require regular grooming. They are certainly not a low-shedding dog. Some can get quite large however they are gentle giants and incredibly loving.

7. Dachshund

The Dachshund is a popular dog breed that comes in three varieties: smooth-haired, wire-haired, and long-haired. Alternatively called "sausage dogs", they are most suitable for living in an apartment or city because of their small size. The most common colours are black and tan, solid red, and sometimes piebald. The Dachshund has a long body with short legs and a curved spine.

The Dachshund was bred to be an efficient badger dog and has a proud personality. They are very loyal to the family they live with and will protect them from harm. The Dachshund is also known for its intelligence and ability to learn new things quickly. This makes it a good watchdog or guard dog, although they are not the most fierce little protectors out there!

8. Staffordshire Bull Terrier

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is another popular breed and makes a wonderful companion. They are highly affectionate and get along well with children. It is important to socialise them at an early age because they can be quite defensive of their territory if not properly introduced to new people or animals.

Staffordshire Bull Terriers may come in black, brindle, red, fawn, blue, white, or any mixed colour with white. There are also some which are black and tan or liver-coloured. Piebald or pied dogs are white with any colour over an eye. Skewbald Staffordshires are white with red patches.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier has a smooth coat that is classed as medium-shedding. They do tend to have one larger shedding season per year which occurs during autumn or springtime.

Overall, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is an intelligent dog that will make a great companion for the right owner. Any young puppy should be well-socialised to help them adjust quickly to their new home and surroundings.

9. Jack Russell Terrier

The Jack Russell Terrier is also one of the most popular dogs in the UK and is known for its love of the outdoors.

Their high energy levels make them good runners and great companions for joggers who want lots of exercise. Jack Russells are very intelligent and highly trainable, making them a popular choice for agile adults.

Their short coats require regular grooming which makes it easy to keep their coat clean and healthy. They have an average lifespan of 12 years.

Jack Russell terriers were originally bred by English farmers as working farm dogs. The breed was developed from crosses between the original black-and-tan Jack Russell with other breeds such as Bull Terriers and perhaps Beagles.

10. Border Collie

Border Collies are smart and energetic dogs that require a lot of time and attention to keep them happy. They can be willful and need consistent training, they must be socialised with other people and animals from an early age, and they should always be kept on a lead.

These dogs require a half-hour walk every day, extra playtime, and one hour of training at a minimum. They are also great for families with kids because they are gentle around children. When you get a Border Collie, make sure you have the time to care for them properly and they can be an incredibly affectionate companion breed.

Border collies have been used as herding dogs for centuries in the United Kingdom, but their popularity has increased dramatically as a pet since 1995 when the breed was recognised by The American Kennel Club (AKC).

We thought we would provide you with more popular breeds just for your own research purposes (we're good like that). There are a few which you would think were in the top 10 but times are changing as new breeds are developed.

Some of the other popular breeds are:

• The Yorkshire Terrier

• King Charles Spaniel

• Springer Spaniel

• West Highland Terrier

Prospective pet owners may spend hours looking for the perfect dog. If this is you, it stands to reason that you want to know all about the top breeds. From pets who require hours of exercise, who need only active families, or dogs with the most appropriate personality traits for their circumstances. It's not easy to find the right pet for your home life.

After all, you want the best pet for you and your family for a lifetime of companionship, lots of belly rubs and mental stimulation.

Then this article may have just provided some insight into the best dog breeds in the UK. The UK has a wide variety of dog breeds that vary by size, temperament, and coat appearance. Some of the most popular dog breeds include Labrador Retrievers, Border Collies, Cockapoos, Golden Retrievers, among others. If you are looking for breeds that don't shed or have little shedding you can read out other post.

If you have found your perfect pet then why not see how much it would cost to insure with Waggel? Why us? Glad you asked!

Waggel offers fantastic Lifetime pet cover with perks such as money-saving rewards,24/7 Online Video Vet Access, and even free dog behavioural consultations from our resident expert Junior Hudson!