Protecting the future of pedigree dogs

Pedigree dog breeding in the UK has declined only modestly over the last 30 years, but the rate of decline has accelerated over the past decade.

In parallel, the number of recognized pedigree dog breeds has increased by around 12% since the 1990s. These and other findings make The Kennel Club’s analysis of over 11 million dog registrations in the UK essential reading.

Tracking pedigree populations

According to in-depth analysis of three decades’ worth of data, the 10 most popular pedigree dog breeds in the UK represent 44% of the whole pedigree population. In 2021, Labrador retrievers, French bulldogs and cocker spaniels were the most common.

Many breeds have grown substantially in popularity, alongside a number of relatively new ‘designer’ crossbreeds such as poodle crosses. Whereas around 200 breeds were recognized in the 1990s, the Icelandic sheepdog recently became the 224th breed recognized in the UK.

A window into trends

These insights come from a comprehensive research paper by The Kennel Club published in April 2025 in Companion Animal Health and Genetics.

The findings are based on analysis of 30 years of demographic data and over 11 million dog registrations in its database.

The study assessed criteria including breed, parentage and country of origin, as well as the number of dogs used in breeding and the characteristics of those dogs.

The results offer insights into population trends and breeding patterns, while also demonstrating significant differences between breeds.

Concerns over declining numbers

Dogs are the most diverse species in the world, and breed populations have always fluctuated over time. Between 1990 and 2021, the overall pedigree dog population declined only modestly (at 0.9% per year). However, the rate of decline has become more pronounced over the past decade.

The authors of the study express concern about the implications of this decline, especially for some unusual breeds that already have small populations.

As an organization that collects extensive health data and provides evidence-based tools to support responsible breeding, The Kennel Club recognizes that a shrinking pedigree population could compromise the availability of well-bred, healthy and appropriate puppies for prospective owners.

This concern is echoed in wider research that identifies puppy supply as a major issue in canine health and welfare.

Importance of genetic diversity

Another key finding from the research is that only a small percentage (13.7%) of pedigree dogs registered by The Kennel Club between 2005 and 2015 were further bred from.

Pedigree dogs are carefully bred for predictable traits such as temperament, size and health, which helps people choose pets suited to their lifestyles.

The availability of detailed health records for pedigree dogs also enables breeders to reduce the risk of hereditary conditions.

However, the paper notes a critical challenge: selective breeding, even for beneficial traits, can lead to a loss of genetic diversity.

Since all dogs within a breed descend from the same original ‘founders’, the gene pool is already limited. Maintaining sustainable levels of genetic diversity is essential to prevent further population decline or, in extreme cases, the extinction of certain breeds.

Strategies for a thriving future

The paper is the first in a planned series of scientific articles by The Kennel Club. In line with its ongoing mission to safeguard the future of the UK’s pedigree dog breeds, the organization will use the findings from this research to work closely with its network of Breed Health Coordinators to develop balanced, breed-specific strategies.

These strategies will aim to maintain – and improve – both the health and genetic diversity of the UK’s 224 recognized pedigree breeds, ensuring their preservation for generations to come.