Dog Ownership Information from Various Countries

In order to understand, interpret and properly extrapolate and compare findings across countries it is necessary to know details about how the information was collected and any limitations of the study design.  For example, the accuracy and application of the findings from formally designed research studies may differ from those from polling type studies or non-methodical online surveys.

How many dogs are there - purebred or mixed? We've been trying to present information on that topic, particularly as regards purebreds - dogs registered by our partners. But of course, registered dogs aren't all dogs or all purebred dogs by a long shot. The VetCompass (UK) data and Agria Insurance Bred Profiles (from Sweden) along with some all breed and breed-specific research projects are other sources of dog population data... but again, sorting through info and data available from all of the sources and what can be gleaned to improve health or welfare for all 'pet' or breeding dogs - or specific populations - well...this is big business.  Below are some links to informative resources on dog populations across many countries. Don't miss the 2021 publication, Veterinary Big Data: When Data Goes to the Dogs.

One thing is clear, education of potential owners, current owners and breeders has the potential to inform decision-making regarding dog care and management that optimizes the human-canine bond.

Some links...

US

Pets by the numbers -- Data and statistics on pet ownership, community cat and shelter populations in the United States

• https://humanepro.org/page/pets-by-the-numbers

"There are two main sources of pet demographics in the United States: the biennial APPA National Pet Owners Survey by the American Pet Products Association, and the U.S. Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) which is published every five years. These surveys provide data about trends in pet ownership and produce estimates of the total number of dogs and cats."

AVMA

The AVMA 2022 Pet Ownership and Demographic Sourcebook is a "for pay" publication.

• https://ebusiness.avma.org/files/ProductDownloads/eco-pet-demographic-report-22-toc-introduction.pdf
• (Internal: eco-pet-demographic-report-22-toc-introduction.pdf)

Please note: "A total of 2,011 respondents completed the online survey and were included in the final analysis reported..."

A Finances Online article based on the American Pet Products Association 2017-2018 National Pet Owners Survey

• https://financesonline.com/number-of-dogs-in-the-us/

Ameritrade: Pets & Finances Survey -- Examining Americans’ financial attitudes on pet ownership

• https://s2.q4cdn.com/437609071/files/doc_news/research/2020/pets-and-finances-survey.pdf
• (Internal: pets-and-finances-survey.pdf)

Banfield - State-of-Pet-Health-Report-2016

• (Internal: Banfield-State-of-Pet-Health-Report-2016.pdf

The 2022 NAPHIA -- State of the Industry Report 2022 [Pet insurers in N. America]

• https://naphia.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/NAPHIA-SOI2022-Report-Highlights.pdf
• (Internal: NAPHIA-SOI2022-Report-Highlights.pdf)
  • "The North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA) is comprised of reputable pet health insurance (PHI) organizations from across Canada and the United States. NAPHIA’s membership makes up over 99% of all pet health insurance coverage in effect in North America." This study makes use of the AVMA's and Canadian Pet Population Surveys data.

EU

FEDIAF

"On an annual basis, FEDIAF reviews member association data on market and population trends. The figures are a striking proof of the importance Europeans attach to their companion animals. Here are some highlights from our Facts and Figures 2021 report:"

Facts and Figures 2021 -

• https://europeanpetfood.org/about/statistics/
• Facts and Figures 2021.pdf

FEDIAF Annual Report 2020: Facts and Figures 2019

• (Internal: FEDIAF_Annual_Report_2020_cor.pdf)

Australia

Source Statistica: (free signup for membership required to access this article) "Australia is undoubtedly a nation of animal lovers, with dogs and cats as the most popular choice of four-legged companion. Nearly half of all households in the country own a dog, and a similar share are cat owners, with most households having more than one pet on average. "

National Purebred Dog Registrations (ANKC) (Total 78,580 in 2021)

• https://ankc.org.au/media/9534/rego-stats-list_2010-2021.pdf

Kennel Club Registration Statistics

France: Société Centrale Canine

• https://dogwellnet.com/files/file/125-the-french-kennel-club-registration-statistics/

Registration figures worldwide – from top thirty to endangered breeds (SKK study from 2015)

• https://dogwellnet.com/files/file/158-registration-figures-worldwide-–-from-top-thirty-to-endangered-breeds/

Netherlands: Raad van Beheer

• RvB Registrations documents (xls) are located at https://www.houdenvanhonden.nl/fokken-met-je-hond/inschrijvingen-in-het-nhsb/

Finland: Finnish Kennel Club: FKC Database: KoiraNet-jalostustietojärjestelmä:

• https://jalostus.kennelliitto.fi/

Norway: Norsk Kennel Club:

• Registration statistics: https://www.nkk.no/statistikk/category1098.html

UK: The Kennel Club:

• https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/media-centre/breed-registration-statistics/

Sweden: Svenska Kennelklubben:

• Database: Avelsdata: https://hundar.skk.se/avelsdata/Initial.aspx

FCI Statistics by Country (multiple years  are available)

• https://www.fci.be/en/statistics/ByYear.aspx?year=2020

Note: below are older files that are not currently available on F.C.I.'s website - last accessed in October, 2020.

• FCI-FEDIAF-PED-%.&LEG-en(1).pdf: F.C.I. - Population of Pedigree Dogs and the Consequences of Breed-specific Legislation
•  FCI-FEDIAF-PED-%.-en (1).pdf: F.C.I. - Distribution of Pedigree Dogs table - source Facts and Figures 2019 (pg 38) in the FEDIAF_Annual_Report_2020_cor.pdf

US: AKC: 1991-2008 Registrations

• http://images.akc.org/pdf/archives/AKCregstats_1991-2008.pdf
• Ranking by popularity: multiple years: https://www.akc.org/most-popular-breeds/

Australia: National Purebred Dog Registrations (ANKC) (Total 78,580 in 2021)

• https://ankc.org.au/media/9534/rego-stats-list_2010-2021.pdf

Other Sources of Data

See: Paynter AN, Dunbar MD, Creevy KE, Ruple A. Veterinary Big Data: When Data Goes to the Dogs. Animals (Basel). 2021 Jun 23;11(7):1872. doi: 10.3390/ani11071872. PMID: 34201681; PMCID: PMC8300140.

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8300140/

This paper provides information on resources for medical data collected in dog populations which "will continue to be a rich source of information that can be used to inform our understanding health, longevity, and disease outcomes."

DWN: breeds with Swedish insurance data - Breed Profiles

VetCompass: https://www.rvc.ac.uk/vetcompass/papers-and-data/open-access-data