Top breeds of dog in the UK
- Kegdog
- Mar 21, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 31, 2024
The Labrador, known for its versatility, is the most popular pedigree dog breed. They can often be seen as a beloved family companion, working as service dog, guide dog, or gundog. Originating from Newfoundland, where they worked on fishing boats and harbours helping fishermen with tasks like retrieving nets and carts loaded with fish, Labradors developed from a mix of local breeds and hunting dogs brought by English traders. Smaller versions, known as St. John’s dogs, were common. Recognized for their retrieving prowess, Labradors gained favour among the English sporting gentry.
The French Bulldog traces part of its lineage to 1850s Great Britain. Nottingham lace makers, relocating to Northern France during the Industrial Revolution, brought Dwarf bulldogs, leading to localized popularity. Over time, crosses with other short-faced breeds gave rise to the French Bulldog. Distinguished by its large 'Bat Ears,' the breed became fashionable in Paris. Artists like Degas and Toulouse Lautrec featured them in their works. Recently, the breed's popularity boomed. By 2015, Frenchies ranked as the third most popular breed in the UK and currently holds the second spot.
Ever the popular family pet, The breed's name comes from its original function, as they were at one stage used to hunt woodcock. Until 1893 and until that time all the spaniels, collectively known as Land Spaniels, were bred together and later classified depending on size and colour. They were selectively bred for suitability for their work and for the terrain. It was once a requirement that a Cocker Spaniel should simply be under 25 lbs in weight.
In the UK there are two sizes with miniatures being the most popular and preferably weighing under 5 kilograms. There are three coat types in both miniature and standard: Smooth haired, Long haired and Wirehaired.
In Germany where they originate, they are known as the Teckel (badger dog) and they are still used for both tracking wounded game such as deer, and for going to ground after badger or rabbits.
5. Bulldog
Bull baiting was introduced in the British Isles by the Normans in the 12th Century. In 1835 bull baiting was made illegal. The future of the breed was under threat as they were left without a function. Dogs that had been kept as companions provided the foundation for the next generations of the breed once showing dogs became fashionable. The Kennel Club recognised the bulldog in 1873 and they remain an icon of British-ness.
The first Lord Tweedmouth is the credited founder of the Golden Retriever. He bred a yellow dog bred from black Wavy Coated Retrievers with a Tweed Water Spaniel. This mating produced four yellow puppies. These yellow Retrievers became popular in the Border Counties of the UK. The breed was recognised by The Kennel Club as “yellow” or “golden” Retriever in 1913. When the breed club was established in 1920 the official bred name was changed to the Golden Retriever.
They are consistently in the favourite breeds for families around the world, as well as taking on roles as guide dogs, service dogs and some still working as gundogs.
The English Springer is the tallest of the Land Spaniel breeds although they share the same ancestry as the other spaniels. . At one point, the breed was called the Norfolk Spaniel as it was said that the Duke of Norfolk played a major role in developing the breed. Springer Spaniels earned the name by their hunting style involving 'springing' forward to flush the intended game birds into nets. After the invention of guns, the breed was used to flush game from undergrowth. The liver and white colour is the most popular but the breed also comes in black and white and tri-colours. The English Springer is the most popular of the spaniels for working in the field as well as one of the top dog breeds in the UK for scent detection with the military and police.
1881 saw the beginnings of the German Shepherd's breed clubs after Max von Stephanitz and his fellow developers promoted the breed as a herding dog. Soon they were used as an all-rounder working dog and commonly used by the police and the armed forces. From the First World War, the German Shepherd's bravery and temperament has gained the breed dedication from their owners and handlers. They have turned their hand to other disciplines such as guide dog work, as a tracking dog, and in obedience.
There has been a lot of changed appearance in the last fifty years which has provoked fierce debate and caused many splits in the breed. In recent years the long haired type, previously frowned upon in its native country of Germany, has finally been officially recognised in the breed standard.
Staffordshire Bull Terriers share the same ancestors as English Bull Terriers. They were developed in the 1860s by James Hinks. He crossed Bulldog breeds with terriers and others to develop a new vermin control breed. Hinks worked on the head shape of dogs from which the modern Staffordshire Bull Terrier owes its heritage to. Finally, in the 1930s The Kennel Club recognised the breed. It carried the name Staffordshire as the breed was developed in the Black Country of Staffordshire and northern parts of Birmingham.
Despite its rough and ready beginnings, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is known as a wonderful family pet. Their intelligence and affinity with children are noted in the breed standard.
The original Schnauzer has been known in Germany from at least the 14th Century. The name comes from the German word for 'snout' and they are often seen sporting a rather majestic moustache. The miniature variety was first officially recorded in 1888. Despite the reduction of size, there is no reduction in spirit – and they are hugely popular as companion dogs. Schnauzers come in two other sizes which have never gained the same popularity in the UK as the mini.
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