National Dog Survey 2026: Dogs Trust maps the UK's bond with its dogs

Dogs Trust has published the first wave of results from its National Dog Survey 2026, the UK's largest survey of dog owners, drawing on responses from around 180,000 participants. The results paint a consistent picture of how central dogs have become to family life: 90% of owners say they treat their dog as part of the family, and 72% describe dog ownership as a key part of their identity. Perhaps most strikingly, 96% of respondents said having a dog is good for their mental health, even though 45% also acknowledged that dog ownership is hard work.

The survey's breed data will be of particular interest to breeders. For the third year running, the top five most popular breeds stayed the same, with an unknown mix of breeds remaining the single largest category at 10% of dogs surveyed, and Labradors the most popular named breed at 8%. One clear mover was the Greyhound, climbing to sixth place in the popularity rankings after sitting fifteenth as recently as 2023, a sign of growing public appreciation for rehomed and retired sighthounds as family pets.

The results also underline the scale of commitment dog ownership involves: more than a third of owners said they had chosen a staycation over a holiday abroad because of their dog, and around 15% had changed jobs or working patterns to accommodate one. Dogs Trust says further results, covering owner experiences and dog behaviour, are still to come. For prospective owners and breeders alike, the findings offer a useful, evidence-based reminder that a dog's needs shape daily life well beyond the puppy stage, and are worth weighing up honestly before bringing one home.