Figuring out the variety of canines on the planet will be tough. There is no such thing as a worldwide doggy census, and lots of international locations lack animal registration processes. Present estimates recommend 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 means of 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 onerous to beat a pet dubbed “man’s finest buddy.” Let’s check out which international locations lead the pack on the subject of canine possession.
United States
The US has the best recorded variety of pet canines, at 90 million. As a result of their reputation, cities throughout the nation are taking initiatives to make themselves extra pup-friendly. Canine parks have been established in just about each main metropolis and city, and dog-centric or dog-friendly companies have additionally boomed.
There are pup-friendly lodges, eating places, and bars, in addition to cellular vets, canine groomers, and doggy gyms to maintain your pup in tip-top situation. You’ll be able to even e book your canine a constitution flight in your pooch through the world’s first doggy airline. Subscription field service BarkBox now affords dog-focused, crate-free flights through BARK Air. This long-distance touring resolution ensures you and your pup get the white glove therapy. Whereas it’ll 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 probably the most dog-friendly metropolis? In keeping with 2024 knowledge revealed by Market Watch, Raleigh, NC, wins the title of America’s most dog-friendly metropolis. Forbes selected San Francisco as the perfect metropolis in 2024 for our furry associates. Different cities that are inclined to prime best-of lists embody 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 canines for households.
Whereas Brazil has many pet canines, the nation additionally struggles with giant numbers of free-roaming canines. With canine abandonment as the first issue, Brazil’s avenue canine inhabitants has grown at an astounding fee and has turn out to be a significant issue. These canines have been linked to all the things from visitors accidents to farm animal losses. From a public well being perspective, free-roaming canines enhance the danger of zoonotic illnesses transmitted to people by canines.
The excellent news is that there are lots of loving pup dad and mom in Brazil. In the newest 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. In style breeds amongst Chinese language residents embody the Siberian Husky, Tugou (Chinese language home breed), Toy Poodle, and Corgi.
China is understood for having strict rules 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 improbable 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 study these and 11 different breeds developed in China.
Japan
Japan’s declining beginning charges and rising pet business replicate a development of adopting pets in lieu of getting youngsters. Thus, the 20 million canines in Japan are extremely pampered pups. Many lodges, eating places, and retailers are pet-friendly and even cater to canines. Savvy Tokyo shares some particularly distinctive companies in your pooch, together with doggie resorts, taxis, and scorching springs.
Japanese residents are inclined to go for smaller canines appropriate for condo dwelling; a June 2023 survey discovered Toy Poodles to be probably the most sought-after breed. Chihuahuas, Shiba Inus, and Miniature Dachshunds are additionally standard selections.
Don’t have a canine? No worries. You’ll be able to go to certainly 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 prime 5 international locations by way of canine inhabitants. A survey by the Levada Heart in 2023 discovered that 22% of Russian households dwell with a canine. Curiously, this similar survey reveals that 43% of households have a minimum of 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 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 stories that 97% of U.S. canine house owners consider their pets as a member of the family.
As you may 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. In style breeds embody 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 keeping with Guinness World Information, the Birmingham Canine Present was established in 185 and continues at the moment. The nation can be residence to the celebrated 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 stop the variety of canine assaults on people, the U.Ok. is certainly one of various international locations 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 supplied 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 positively handled as a part of the household and sometimes accompany their house owners in public locations. Canines are sometimes welcome at lodges, shops, buying 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.
In style breeds embody 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 you might acknowledge embody 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 excellent 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 canines. Sadly, the variety of stray canines in India far outnumbers pets, with estimates as excessive as 70 million in 2023. Together with the danger of assaults from hungry canine packs, the nation has a excessive prevalence of dog-mediated human rabies.
In keeping with the World Well being Group (WHO), this infectious viral illness is commonly under-reported, making it obscure the scope of rabies in India totally. WHO does report that roughly 30 to 60% of reported rabies circumstances in India happen in youngsters 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 demise. Pups are embellished with tika (a standard marking on the brow) and flower garlands and are handled with particular meals. Whereas celebrated primarily in Nepal, the Hindu competition can be celebrated within the Indian states of Assam, Sikkim, and West Bengal.
Argentina
In keeping with a 2023 article revealed by the Buenos Aires Instances, 81% of Argentine households dwell with a canine—the best fee of pet possession per inhabitant worldwide. In complete, 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 companies, together with canine walkers and cellular vets.
The Dogo Argentino is a breed native to Argentina. The breed is commonly mistaken for the American Pitbull Terrier—we cowl the variations in our Dogo Argentino vs. American Pitbull Terrier comparability article.
Spain
Rounding out the listing at quantity 10 is Spain, with 9.31 million pet canines. Spain is taken into account a reasonably dog-friendly nation. Usually, canines usually are not allowed in eating places and public seashores. Whereas allowed, particular guidelines and rules exist for transporting canines through 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 doubtlessly harmful. These canines are categorized as “peros potencialmente peligroses” (PPP). Whereas these canines 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 canines. Moreover, canines should additionally put on a muzzle in public areas.
Spanish canine breeds embody 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 referred to as CNVR (Accumulate, Neuter, Vaccinate, and Return), which supplied government-funded veterinary companies to assist scale back the variety of stray canines sooner or later.
Different measures have 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 keeping with the Morris Animal Basis, round 35 species of untamed canines exist at the moment, together with coyotes, foxes, jackals, and wolves. Throughout the overarching label of “wild canine,” there are additionally canines that aren’t feral but in addition 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 carefully however individually from people.
How Many U.S. Households Have A Canine?
In keeping with the American Pet Produce Affiliation (APPA), 66% of U.S. households, or 86.9 million houses, personal a minimum of one pet. And as you may guess, the bulk have canine companions. A whopping 65.1 million U.S. households personal a minimum of one canine.
In 2023, $147 billion was spent on pets in the USA. 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 revealed on Wisevoter exhibits that Idaho has the best fee 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 fee of canine possession are Vermont (28.3%), New York (28.3%), Rhode Island (25.8%), Connecticut (24%), and New Hampshire (23.7%).
Incessantly Requested Questions
Listed below are some reoccurring questions our readers ask relating to 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 Neighborhood discussion board.
Are There Extra Cats Or Canines In The World?
In keeping with the World Inhabitants Evaluation, the world cat inhabitants exceeds 1 billion; thus, cats might barely outnumber canines.
Which International locations Desire Cats Over Canines?
It’s a terrific debate: cats vs. canines. Whereas the U.S. is definitively a pro-dog nation, many different international locations favor cats. International locations by which cats seem to take the lead embody 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 workforce, which has over a decade of expertise researching, testing, and writing about something and all the things dog-related. Most of our workforce members are lifelong canine house owners and may present private insights on every matter we cowl.
