Brits went mad for designer dogs over lockdown last year, with Cockapoos becoming one of the most coveted breeds with the price of a puppy trebling as breeders sought to cash in on demand.
It seems, however that the cost of popular dog breeds has risen so much that Britons are now looking for less trendy options to adopt their four-legged friends.
Now The Kennel Club’s list of the most popular dog breeds in the UK has revealed that previously unpopular varieties such as Whippets and English bulldogs are more in demand than ever.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi is the preferred breed of Queen Elizabeth II. It has been in London’s Top 20 Most Popular Breeds since its introduction.
While the famed French Bulldog remains the most beloved breed, many people are now choosing British-bred dogs like the Parson Russell Terriers and Bedlington.
And while the French Bulldog, which as of late 2020 had a hefty price tag of £3,100, came up tops in several parts of the country – it was the loyal Labrador voted number one in the UK.
19 breeds, previously classified as at high risk or vulnerable, have experienced an increase of popularity since the pandemic.
Another pooch enjoying newfound popularity is the Whippet, affectionate dogs who are great for smaller spaces who made it onto the list of top ten most popular breeds in London.
Bagging the overall top spot in London was again the French Bulldog, but tastes did vary depending on location – with trendy east London favouring the Miniature Smooth Haired Dachshund
The Whippet was most successful in North London, where it entered Islington and Kings Cross. This area also saw the English Springer Spaniel chosen.
Kensington and Notting hill were wealthy west Londoners who loved the Miniature Long Haired Dachshund. They could only be matched by the expensive Pomeranian.
North West London, including Hampstead and Brent Cross, is the only area in London to include the Staffordshire Bull Terrier while Cocker Spaniel and Golden Retriever were the two most popular choices.
South East London areas such as Lewisham and Woolwich also favoured the Whippet and Pomeranian while South West London areas Wandsworth and Tooting bucked the trend chose the Border Terrier as favourite.
Bill Lambert from The Kennel Club believes that the cause for this rise is because dog owners have ‘cast their net wider’ when choosing the breed of dog they want.
He said, “We’re so fortunate to have such a variety of breeds here in the country. We are happy to see our canine friends, especially some of our historical native breeds, enjoying a popular boost in the capital.”
‘The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a real success story – coming from the brink of disappearing in the capital to being one of Londoners’ most popular dogs, and some other breeds that were rarely seen on London’s streets have fared well during lockdown.
“We believe this to be a sign Londoners are beginning to look further when choosing their dog breed, though the French Bulldog is still a favorite in our capital.
This breed is known for its health problems, and it’s not the breed to suit everyone.
‘There are many other British and Irish breeds that are currently at risk of disappearing from our capital’s streets so we would urge people to spend time researching the vast range of breeds – and they can meet 150 breeds under one roof at our upcoming Discover Dogs event in London – to ensure they find the right one for them and their lifestyle.’