National Dog Survey 2025: Poppy and Teddy most popular dog’s names
What’s in a name? Quite a lot, if you ask the nation’s dog owners. This year’s National Dog Survey by animal charity Dogs Trust reveals that when it comes to naming our pooches, we’re creatures of habit.
Poppy has once again claimed the crown as the UK’s most popular female dog name, with 3,767 pups proudly answering to it. On the male side, Teddy leads the pack for a second year running, with 2,750 dogs bearing the name.
Two fresh contenders have made their debut in the top 10 this year, Mabel and Bertie, ousting Millie and Monty from the list.
Top 10 female dog names
1. Poppy – 3,767
2. Luna – 3,667
3. Bella – 3,353
4. Daisy – 2,843
5. Ruby – 2,555
6. Rosie – 2,493
7. Willow – 2,394
8. Molly – 2,382
9. Lola – 2,376
10. Mabel – 1,963
Top 10 male dog names
1. Teddy – 2,750
2. Milo – 2,711
3. Alfie – 2,487
4. Buddy – 2,480
5. Charlie – 2,164
6. Max – 2,091
7. Bertie – 1,791
8. Barney – 1,768
9. Bailey – 1,759
10. Archie – 1,673
Want more name inspiration for your new pet? Discover the most popular puppy names to help you choose the perfect one.
94% of owners say dogs are family
Of course, names are only the beginning of what makes our dogs special. The 2025 survey, which heard from 342,974 respondents about 423,175 dogs (and another 22,654 non-dog owners), paints a vivid picture of the role dogs play in British life.
And the verdict is clear: they’re not just pets.
- 94% of people consider their dogs part of the family
- 95% of dog owners say having a dog boosts their mental health
- 84% turn to their pup for emotional support
- 80% even call them their best friend
Britain’s favourite breeds
Our love of crossbreeds continues to grow, with mixed-breed dogs making up 42% of the nation’s canine companions. Of these, 9% are mystery mixes, an unknown blend of breeds.
Among single breeds, Labradors keep their top-dog status, representing 8% of all surveyed dogs. Meanwhile, the Poodle reigns supreme in the crossbreed world, inspiring oodles of Cockapoos (5.8% of dogs), Cavapoos (1.5%) and Labradoodles (1.3%). Lurchers followed closely behind in fourth place.
Miniature Smooth-haired Dachshunds have wriggled into the top 10 puppy breeds for the first time. Meanwhile, French Bulldogs appear to be falling from favour, possibly due to rising awareness of the health concerns associated with flat-faced breeds, according to Dogs Trust.
How owner’s spend time with their dogs
Caring for a dog is no small task, but it’s one we embrace wholeheartedly the survey shows. Owners spend an average of 2 hours 12 minutes a day looking after their pups, nearly 10% of the day.
This includes:
- 67 minutes on walks
- 41 minutes on feeding, play and enrichment
- 24 minutes running errands together
More information and advice
From the names we give them to the hours we dedicate to their care, The 2025 National Dog Survey confirms dogs are an inseparable part of our lives.
For more info on dog ownership, including everything from training and exercise to diet and behaviour, Agria has a range of guides and advice for both experienced dog owners and first-timers alike.
- Written by
- Adam Jolley
- Approved by
- Adam Jolley
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About the Author
Adam Jolley is a writer specialising in insurance, personal finance, and pets. He’s worked for Confused.com and Admiral Insurance, and currently writes and edits for an online magazine. His strangest pet was a hissing cockroach. Now, he’s a proud cat dad to Penelope, affectionately known as Nelly.
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