National Dog Survey 2024: 99% of owners say dogs are family

The emotional support our canine companions offer is undeniable. And now, research by animal welfare charity Dogs Trust shows just how important dogs really are to our health and well-being.

According to the charity’s latest National Dog Survey, 99% of owners see their dog as part of the family, 89% consider them a best friend, and 72% openly admit to spoiling them.

More than just a pet

The survey is the UK's largest and most in-depth look into life with dogs, In 2024, 406,218 people responded, including 373,217 dog owners, sharing detailed insight into the realities, rewards, and responsibilities of having a dog.

Other findings include:

·       98% of dog owners say their dog makes them happy

·       96% say dog ownership improves their mental health

·       89% say their dog helps them stay more physically active

·       58% believe having a dog reduces their social isolation

·       89% say their dog gives them emotional support

·       78% say dog ownership is part of their identity

But the survey didn’t shy away from the harder parts of dog ownership, especially for younger adults. Among those aged 25 to 34, 57% found having a dog to be hard work. Meanwhile, 26% of all dog owners said they didn’t have anyone outside their household who could look after their dog for a week.

Teenage troubles for pandemic puppies

One of the biggest changes since the pandemic is the sheer number of adolescent dogs in the UK. An unprecedented 33% of all dogs in the UK are now reaching adolescence.

According to the Dogs Trust, many of these dogs missed out on key early socialisation and training experiences due to lockdown restrictions, and that’s now showing in their behaviour. For example, the survey showed:

·       52% of dogs bark at noises outside the front door

·       9% struggle to relax when home alone

·       17% rarely stay calm around other dogs

·       16% find it hard to stay calm around strangers

Understanding dog behaviour and body language

Many owners feel confident in understanding their dog’s needs, but the survey revealed some gaps.

·       80% said they’re confident reading dog body language

·       But only 24% could reliably recognise signs of a worried dog

·       78% said their dog would never bite them

·       Around two-thirds believed their dog would never bite another person

·       71% thought they were more likely to be bitten by a dog they didn't know

UK dog demographics

With around 13 million dogs in the UK, the survey showed it’s clear we're a nation of dog lovers. Over a third of households have at least one dog, and four in 10 people live with a dog. On average, each dog-owning household has 1.36 dogs.

·       74% of dog-owning homes have one dog

·       20% have two

·       4% have three

·       2% have four or more

Crossbreeds dominate, with 42% of all dogs being a mix of breeds. The most popular of these are ‘supermutts’ (dogs with an entirely unknown mix of backgrounds), making up nearly 10%.

The survey recorded over 5,000 unique breeds and crossbreeds. Despite that variety, the Labrador Retriever remains the nation’s favourite (8%), followed by Cocker Spaniels and Border Collies.

Flat-faced breeds such as French Bulldogs and their crosses (like the Jug and Puggle), once hugely popular, are now declining due to awareness of their associated health problems, the survey says.

How COVID reshaped dog ownership

Interestingly, the survey sheds light on how the pandemic had a huge and lasting effect on how people bring dogs into their lives. In 2019, 37% of new dogs were acquired by first-time owners. That jumped to 44% during 2020's lockdowns.

This surge has since fallen below pre-pandemic levels. However, these first-time owners are now facing the reality of adolescence in dogs that missed vital early training. This year alone, the Dogs Trust says it received over 7,500 calls to its Behaviour Support Line, and more than 40,000 people contacted the charity about giving up their dog.

The survey reveals that a quarter of all owners who asked the Dogs Trust to rehome their dog did so because of behaviour concerns.

Common behaviour challenges

In total, 76% of dogs in the survey showed at least one undesirable behaviour. The top 10 issues included:

·       52% bark at door knocks or noises outside

·       26% struggle during fireworks

·       25% jump up at people

·       17% react poorly to other dogs on walks

·       16% are unsettled around strangers

·       10% have poor recall

·       9% won’t leave items when asked

·       9% struggle when left home alone

·       9% pull on the lead

·       2% don’t sleep through the night

How owners responded varied by issue. Depending on the type of behavioural problem, between 31% and 42% said they used the internet for help. More serious concerns saw higher consultation rates with vets (e.g. 50% for fireworks distress), while 52–56% of owners sought help from dog trainers for things such as lead pulling, recall, or reactivity.

Only a small number (as few as 4% for separation anxiety) consulted a Clinical Animal Behaviourist — highlighting the need for better awareness of qualified support.

The role of dog training

Although 52% of owners value ongoing training and 45% believe everyone should attend training classes, only one in 15 currently do so.

Some common reasons for skipping classes include owners feeling they can manage alone (56%) or that training is common sense (49%). That said, of those who had attended classes, 72% saw a clear benefit, and 43% of those who hadn’t said their dog would likely benefit.

More information

For more info on raising a puppy, including everything from training and exercise to diet and teething, see our range of guides.