Figuring out the variety of canine on the planet may be troublesome. There is no such thing as a worldwide doggy census, and plenty of nations lack animal registration processes. Present estimates recommend wherever between 700 million to 1 billion canine worldwide, together with pets and free-roaming canine.
Canine Possession By Nation
Whereas some select to go the route of unusual pets—scroll via TikTok, and also you’ll discover pet pigs, snakes, chinchillas, and even skunks—the most well-liked pet remains to be the canine. It’s arduous to beat a pet dubbed “man’s finest pal.” Let’s check out which nations lead the pack with regards to canine possession.
United States
The US has the best recorded variety of pet canine, at 90 million. Resulting from their recognition, cities throughout the nation are taking initiatives to make themselves extra pup-friendly. Canine parks have been established in nearly each main metropolis and city, and dog-centric or dog-friendly companies have additionally boomed.
There are pup-friendly accommodations, eating places, and bars, in addition to cell vets, canine groomers, and doggy gyms to maintain your pup in tip-top situation. You’ll be able to even ebook your canine a constitution flight in your pooch by way of the world’s first doggy airline. Subscription field service BarkBox now presents dog-focused, crate-free flights by way of BARK Air. This long-distance touring resolution ensures you and your pup get the white glove remedy. Whereas it should price you a fairly penny, it signifies that your canine received’t be caught in a cargo maintain throughout your flight.
Are you on the lookout for essentially the most dog-friendly metropolis? In line with 2024 knowledge printed by Market Watch, Raleigh, NC, wins the title of America’s most dog-friendly metropolis. Forbes selected San Francisco as the very best metropolis in 2024 for our furry mates. Different cities that are inclined to prime best-of lists embrace Austin, TX; Denver, CO; Madison, WI; Portland, OR; and Seattle, WA.
Brazil
Brazil has the second-highest canine pet inhabitants at 55 million. Canines are the most well-liked pets in Brazilian households, adopted by birds and cats. The nation’s nationwide canine is the Fila Brasileiro, or Brazilian Mastiff, which makes our lists of scariest canine breeds and finest guard canine for households.
Whereas Brazil has many pet canines, the nation additionally struggles with giant numbers of free-roaming canine. With canine abandonment as the first issue, Brazil’s avenue canine inhabitants has grown at an astounding price and has grow to be a major problem. These canine have been linked to every thing from site visitors accidents to farm animal losses. From a public well being perspective, free-roaming canine enhance the chance of zoonotic illnesses transmitted to people by canine.
The excellent news is that there are lots of loving pup dad and mom in Brazil. In the latest survey of canine breed recognition in Brazil, combined breeds accounted for 23.54 p.c of pet canine. The second hottest canine was the Shih Tzu, adopted by the Yorkshire Terrier.
China
Regardless of the one-dog-per-household rule in Beijing and Shanghai, China takes third place in canine inhabitants by nation, with roughly 54.29 million canine. Well-liked breeds amongst Chinese language residents embrace the Siberian Husky, Tugou (Chinese language home breed), Toy Poodle, and Corgi.
China is thought for having strict laws concerning sure canine breeds. Whereas no breed has been formally banned, bigger breeds or breeds deemed “aggressive” are prohibited in cities like Beijing, Chengdu, and Shanghai.
A number of unbelievable canine breeds originate from China, together with the Lhasa Apso, Pug, Pekingese, and Shih Tzu. Take a look at our information on Chinese language canine breeds to find out about these and 11 different breeds developed in China.
Japan
Japan’s declining delivery charges and rising pet business mirror a development of adopting pets in lieu of getting youngsters. Thus, the 20 million canines in Japan are extremely pampered pups. Many accommodations, eating places, and outlets are pet-friendly and even cater to canine. Savvy Tokyo shares some particularly distinctive companies in your pooch, together with doggie resorts, taxis, and sizzling springs.
Japanese residents are inclined to go for smaller canine appropriate for condo residing; a June 2023 survey discovered Toy Poodles to be essentially the most sought-after breed. Chihuahuas, Shiba Inus, and Miniature Dachshunds are additionally standard decisions.
Don’t have a canine? No worries. You’ll be able to go to certainly one of Japan’s well-known animal cafes or hire a canine for walks and playtime (canine are additionally accessible for adoption).
Russia
With 17.55 million canine, Russia is among the many prime 5 nations when it comes to canine inhabitants. A survey by the Levada Middle in 2023 discovered that 22% of Russian households stay with a canine. Curiously, this identical survey reveals that 43% of households have no less than one feline.
Regardless of their recognition, Russia doesn’t have a dog-centric tradition. So, whilst you could discover many canines on this nation, canine aren’t typically handled like relations. Canine house owners in Novosibirsk—Russia’s third most populous metropolis as of January 2023—may even be fined if their canine barks throughout designated quiet hours. In distinction, Forbes Advisor reviews that 97% of U.S. canine house owners consider their pets as a member of the family.
As you would possibly assume, canine native to Russia have tailored to face up to the area’s chilly local weather. We offer a listing of 25 completely different Russian canine breeds, together with the well-known Siberian Husky and Samoyed.
United Kingdom
There are roughly 12 million registered canine within the U.Ok., making it the highest-ranking European nation when it comes to canine inhabitants. Well-liked breeds embrace the Labrador Retriever, French Bulldog, Border Collie, English Cocker Spaniel, and Dachshund.
The U.Ok. has the excellence of internet hosting the world’s oldest canine present. In line with Guinness World Data, the Birmingham Canine Present was established in 185 and continues right this moment. The nation can be residence to the distinguished Crufts canine present, which boasted an astounding 24,000 canine in 2024. In distinction, America’s Westminster Kennel Membership Canine Present hosted round 2,500 canines in 2024.
In an try to stop the variety of canine assaults on people, the U.Ok. is certainly one of a lot of nations enacting breed-specific bans or restrictions. Present U.Ok. laws bans 4 canine breeds: Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa, and Pit Bull Terrier. XL Bully canine are additionally banned in England and Wales except your canine is supplied a certificates of exemption. Our article on the U.Ok.’s “Harmful Canines Act” covers this subject intimately.
Germany
One other pet-friendly nation, Germany, is residence to round 10.3 million canine. In German tradition, pups are positively handled as a part of the household and sometimes accompany their house owners in public locations. Canines are sometimes welcome at accommodations, shops, procuring malls, eating places, and even bars. That being stated, Germany remains to be very a lot a cat-first nation. A complete of 15.7 million cats lived in German households in 2023.
Well-liked breeds embrace the German Shepherd, Dachshund, and German Shorthaired Pointer—all German breeds. The nation’s nationwide canine is the Nice Dane, additionally referred to as the German Mastiff.
The World Canine Group acknowledges 356 breeds of canine. Greater than 50 originate from Germany, making it a digital epicenter of canine fancying. Different German breeds it’s possible you’ll acknowledge embrace the Doberman Pinscher, Pomeranian, Poodle, Schnauzer, Rottweiler, and Weimaraner. Are you on the lookout for the proper identify in your German pooch? We’ve compiled 150+ German canine names good in your new canine companion.
India
Picture credit score: ELAMARAN ELAA PHOTOGRAPHY, Shutterstock
Coming in at quantity eight is India, with 10.2 million pet canine. Sadly, the variety of stray canine in India far outnumbers pets, with estimates as excessive as 70 million in 2023. Together with the chance of assaults from hungry canine packs, the nation has a excessive prevalence of dog-mediated human rabies.
In line with the World Well being Group (WHO), this infectious viral illness is usually under-reported, making it obscure the scope of rabies in India totally. WHO does report that roughly 30 to 60% of reported rabies instances in India happen in youngsters underneath the age of 15.
Alternatively, canine are worshiped in Hinduism, essentially the most prevalent faith in India. In the course of the Hindu pageant Kukur Tahir, all canine are celebrated to please Yama, the god of loss of life. Pups are adorned with tika (a standard marking on the brow) and flower garlands and are handled with particular meals. Whereas celebrated primarily in Nepal, the Hindu pageant can be celebrated within the Indian states of Assam, Sikkim, and West Bengal.
Argentina
In line with a 2023 article printed by the Buenos Aires Instances, 81% of Argentine households stay with a canine—the best price of pet possession per inhabitant worldwide. In complete, Argentina has 10 million pet canine. Guests and residents report that Buenos Aires may be very pet-friendly. There are many inexperienced areas and pet companies, together with canine walkers and cell vets.
The Dogo Argentino is a breed native to Argentina. The breed is usually mistaken for the American Pitbull Terrier—we cowl the variations in our Dogo Argentino vs. American Pitbull Terrier comparability article.
Spain
Rounding out the record at quantity 10 is Spain, with 9.31 million pet canine. Spain is taken into account a reasonably dog-friendly nation. Generally, canine aren’t allowed in eating places and public seashores. Whereas allowed, particular guidelines and laws exist for transporting canine by way of automobile, metro, buses, and different public transportation. However there are many pet companies, together with groomers, pet sitters, and boarding companies.
Spain restricts sure canine breeds and breed crosses deemed probably harmful. These canines are labeled as “peros potencialmente peligroses” (PPP). Whereas these canine aren’t banned, the federal government requires house owners to have a renewable proprietor’s license and civil legal responsibility insurance coverage for his or her canine. Moreover, canine should additionally put on a muzzle in public areas.
Spanish canine breeds embrace the Bichon Frise, Catalan Sheepdog, Ibizan Hound, Presa Canario, and Spanish Water Canine.
How Many Stray Canines Are In The World?
The WHO estimates that there are round 200 million stray canine worldwide.
The Netherlands holds the excellence of being the world’s first nation with out stray canine. How did they handle it? The Dutch authorities launched a nationwide initiative referred to as CNVR (Accumulate, Neuter, Vaccinate, and Return), which supplied government-funded veterinary companies to assist scale back the variety of stray canine sooner or later.
Different measures had been additionally applied, together with excessive taxes on store-bought canine to encourage residents to undertake from shelters and extreme punishments for animal neglect or cruelty. A particular police division was additionally created to implement legal guidelines stopping animal abandonment and cruelty.
Who Makes Up The Relaxation Of The Canine Inhabitants?
In line with the Morris Animal Basis, round 35 species of untamed canine exist right this moment, together with coyotes, foxes, jackals, and wolves. Throughout the overarching label of “wild canine,” there are additionally canine that aren’t feral but in addition not fairly domesticated.
Dubbed avenue canine or village canine, these free-ranging, breedless canine are sometimes present in rural, residential areas the place they’ve lived carefully however individually from people.
How Many U.S. Households Have A Canine?
In line with the American Pet Produce Affiliation (APPA), 66% of U.S. households, or 86.9 million houses, personal no less than one pet. And as you would possibly guess, the bulk have canine companions. A whopping 65.1 million U.S. households personal no less than one canine.
In 2023, $147 billion was spent on pets in the US. This quantity is estimated to proceed rising, reaching $150.6 billion by the top of 2024.
Canine Possession By State
American Veterinary Medical Affiliation (AVMA) knowledge printed on Wisevoter reveals that Idaho has the best price of canine possession at 58.3%, adopted by Montana (51.9%), Arkansas (51.6%), Mississippi (51%), and West Virginia (49.6%). The states with the bottom price of canine possession are Vermont (28.3%), New York (28.3%), Rhode Island (25.8%), Connecticut (24%), and New Hampshire (23.7%).
Continuously Requested Questions
Listed below are some reoccurring questions our readers ask concerning the world canine inhabitants—notably the way it pertains to the world cat inhabitants. Don’t see yours? Ask us within the feedback, or take a look at the Canine Journal Group discussion board.
Are There Extra Cats Or Canines In The World?
In line with the World Inhabitants Evaluate, the world cat inhabitants exceeds 1 billion; thus, cats could barely outnumber canine.
Which Nations Want Cats Over Canines?
It’s a terrific debate: cats vs. canine. Whereas the U.S. is definitively a pro-dog nation, many different nations favor cats. Nations wherein cats seem to take the lead embrace Canada, Germany, China, and Russia.
Extra Pet Possession Statistics
Can’t get sufficient of doggo statistics? We share many extra pet possession statistics, together with family pet breakdown, proprietor demographics, and annual bills for canine dad and mom.
Why Belief Canine Journal?
Tara is a part of the Canine Journal group, which has over a decade of expertise researching, testing, and writing about something and every thing dog-related. Most of our group members are lifelong canine house owners and might present private insights on every subject we cowl.