Figuring out the variety of canines on the planet may be tough. There isn’t a worldwide doggy census, and plenty of nations lack animal registration processes. Present estimates counsel wherever between 700 million to 1 billion canines worldwide, together with pets and free-roaming canines.
Canine Possession By Nation
Whereas some select to go the route of unusual pets—scroll by TikTok, and also you’ll discover pet pigs, snakes, chinchillas, and even skunks—the preferred pet continues to be the canine. It’s laborious to beat a pet dubbed “man’s greatest good friend.” Let’s check out which nations lead the pack relating to canine possession.
United States
The USA has the very best recorded variety of pet canines, at 90 million. Resulting from their reputation, 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 inns, 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 guide your canine a constitution flight on your pooch by way of the world’s first doggy airline. Subscription field service BarkBox now provides 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 implies that your canine received’t be caught in a cargo maintain throughout your flight.
Are you on the lookout for probably the most dog-friendly metropolis? In response to 2024 knowledge revealed 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 associates. Different cities that are likely to high 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 preferred 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 greatest guard canines for households.
Whereas Brazil has many pet canines, the nation additionally struggles with massive numbers of free-roaming canines. With canine abandonment as the first issue, Brazil’s avenue canine inhabitants has grown at an astounding price and has grow to be a significant issue. These canines have been linked to every part from visitors accidents to farm animal losses. From a public well being perspective, free-roaming canines improve the chance of zoonotic ailments transmitted to people by canines.
The excellent news is that there are lots of loving pup mother and father in Brazil. In the latest survey of canine breed reputation in Brazil, combined breeds accounted for 23.54 p.c of pet canines. 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 canines. Fashionable breeds amongst Chinese language residents embrace the Siberian Husky, Tugou (Chinese language home breed), Toy Poodle, and Corgi.
China is understood for having strict laws relating to 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. Try our information on Chinese language canine breeds to find out about these and 11 different breeds developed in China.
Japan
Japan’s declining beginning charges and rising pet trade mirror a pattern of adopting pets in lieu of getting kids. Thus, the 20 million canines in Japan are extremely pampered pups. Many inns, eating places, and retailers are pet-friendly and even cater to canines. Savvy Tokyo shares some particularly distinctive providers on your pooch, together with doggie resorts, taxis, and scorching springs.
Japanese residents are likely to go for smaller canines appropriate for condo residing; a June 2023 survey discovered Toy Poodles to be probably 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 considered one of Japan’s well-known animal cafes or lease a canine for walks and playtime (canines are additionally out there for adoption).
Russia
With 17.55 million canines, Russia is among the many high 5 nations by way of canine inhabitants. A survey by the Levada Middle in 2023 discovered that 22% of Russian households reside with a canine. Curiously, this similar survey reveals that 43% of households have not less than one feline.
Regardless of their reputation, Russia doesn’t have a dog-centric tradition. So, whilst you might discover many canines on this nation, canines aren’t usually handled like relations. Canine homeowners 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 studies that 97% of U.S. canine homeowners consider their pets as a member of the family.
As you would possibly assume, canines native to Russia have tailored to resist 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 canines within the U.Ok., making it the highest-ranking European nation by way of canine inhabitants. Fashionable 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 response to Guinness World Information, the Birmingham Canine Present was established in 185 and continues as we speak. The nation can also be residence to the distinguished Crufts canine present, which boasted an astounding 24,000 canines in 2024. In distinction, America’s Westminster Kennel Membership Canine Present hosted round 2,500 canines in 2024.
In an try to forestall the variety of canine assaults on people, the U.Ok. is considered one of plenty 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 canines are additionally banned in England and Wales until your canine is offered a certificates of exemption. Our article on the U.Ok.’s “Harmful Canines Act” covers this matter intimately.
Germany
One other pet-friendly nation, Germany, is residence to round 10.3 million canines. In German tradition, pups are undoubtedly handled as a part of the household and sometimes accompany their homeowners in public locations. Canines are usually welcome at inns, shops, procuring malls, eating places, and even bars. That being stated, Germany continues to be very a lot a cat-first nation. A complete of 15.7 million cats lived in German households in 2023.
Fashionable breeds embrace the German Shepherd, Dachshund, and German Shorthaired Pointer—all German breeds. The nation’s nationwide canine is the Nice Dane, additionally known 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 right title on your German pooch? We’ve compiled 150+ German canine names excellent on your new canine companion.
India
Picture credit score: ELAMARAN ELAA PHOTOGRAPHY, Shutterstock
Coming in at quantity eight is India, with 10.2 million pet canines. Sadly, the variety of stray canines 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 response to 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 kids underneath the age of 15.
Then again, canines are worshiped in Hinduism, probably the most prevalent faith in India. In the course of the Hindu competition Kukur Tahir, all canines are celebrated to please Yama, the god of dying. Pups are adorned with tika (a conventional marking on the brow) and flower garlands and are handled with particular meals. Whereas celebrated primarily in Nepal, the Hindu competition can also be celebrated within the Indian states of Assam, Sikkim, and West Bengal.
Argentina
In response to a 2023 article revealed by the Buenos Aires Instances, 81% of Argentine households reside with a canine—the very best price of pet possession per inhabitant worldwide. In whole, Argentina has 10 million pet canines. Guests and residents report that Buenos Aires could be very pet-friendly. There are many inexperienced areas and pet providers, 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 checklist at quantity 10 is Spain, with 9.31 million pet canines. Spain is taken into account a reasonably dog-friendly nation. On the whole, canines aren’t allowed in eating places and public seashores. Whereas allowed, particular guidelines and laws exist for transporting canines by way of automobile, metro, buses, and different public transportation. However there are many pet providers, together with groomers, pet sitters, and boarding providers.
Spain restricts sure canine breeds and breed crosses deemed probably harmful. These canines are categorised as “peros potencialmente peligroses” (PPP). Whereas these canines aren’t banned, the federal government requires homeowners to have a renewable proprietor’s license and civil legal responsibility insurance coverage for his or her canines. Moreover, canines 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 canines worldwide.
The Netherlands holds the excellence of being the world’s first nation with out stray canines. How did they handle it? The Dutch authorities launched a nationwide initiative known as CNVR (Gather, Neuter, Vaccinate, and Return), which offered government-funded veterinary providers to assist scale back the variety of stray canines sooner or later.
Different measures had been additionally applied, together with excessive taxes on store-bought canines 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 response to the Morris Animal Basis, round 35 species of untamed canines exist as we speak, together with coyotes, foxes, jackals, and wolves. Inside the overarching label of “wild canine,” there are additionally canines that aren’t feral but additionally not fairly domesticated.
Dubbed avenue canines or village canines, these free-ranging, breedless canines are sometimes present in rural, residential areas the place they’ve lived intently however individually from people.
How Many U.S. Households Have A Canine?
In response to the American Pet Produce Affiliation (APPA), 66% of U.S. households, or 86.9 million properties, personal not less than one pet. And as you would possibly guess, the bulk have canine companions. A whopping 65.1 million U.S. households personal not 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 tip of 2024.
Canine Possession By State
American Veterinary Medical Affiliation (AVMA) knowledge revealed on Wisevoter exhibits that Idaho has the very 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%).
Often Requested Questions
Listed below are some reoccurring questions our readers ask relating to the world canine inhabitants—significantly 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 Neighborhood discussion board.
Are There Extra Cats Or Canines In The World?
In response to the World Inhabitants Overview, the world cat inhabitants exceeds 1 billion; thus, cats might barely outnumber canines.
Which Nations Desire Cats Over Canines?
It’s an incredible debate: cats vs. canines. Whereas the U.S. is definitively a pro-dog nation, many different nations favor cats. Nations during which 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 mother and father.
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 part dog-related. Most of our group members are lifelong canine homeowners and may present private insights on every matter we cowl.