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Labrador still UK’s favourite breed, Dogs Trust finds
Runners up to the Labrador were the cocker spaniel and the cockapoo.
It is closely followed by cocker spaniels and cockapoos.

Dogs Trust has announced that Labradors remain the nation’s favourite dog breed, as it reveals statistics from this year’s National Dog Survey.

Runners up to the Labrador were the cocker spaniel and the cockapoo, with Jack Russell terriers, border collies and Staffordshire bull terriers also in the top ten.

However crossbreeds remain popular with respondents, representing 11 per cent of dogs reported in the survey.

Dogs Trust’s National Dog Survey was conducted online in May 2023, and received over 244,000 respondents. This year’s survey revealed information about almost 350,000 dogs.

The data also allowed the dog welfare charity to identify the most popular dog names across the country. Poppy, Bella and Luna were the most popular female names, and Alfie, Charlie and Milo topped the list of male names.

The results of the 2023 survey mirrored Dogs Trust’s own data within its 21 rehoming centres.

The charity has reported that they have rehomed 10,490 dogs this year. Of these dogs, the most common names were Bella, Luna, Buddy, Poppy and Milo.

The most popular breeds to be adopted in 2023 were Jack Russell terriers, border collies, Staffordshire bull terriers and Labrador retrievers.

Crossbreeds also proved popular, with top crossbreeds including the cockapoo, Jack chi (Jack Russell and chihuahua), shepsky (German shepherd and husky) and the German sheprador (German shepherd and Labrador retriever).

The oldest dog to be rehomed by Dogs Trust this year was 18-year-old West Highland white terrier Alfonso.

Meanwhile, the rehoming centres saw a record-breaking 394 puppies born in their rehoming centres. This included 101 dachshunds, 84 crossbreeds and 37 lurchers.

The information gathered through the survey will guide Dogs Trust as it continues to shape its services. Last year’s survey results prompted the charity to start a Behaviour Support Line, to provide free advice for dog’s problem behaviours.

Dogs Trust said that they will release their full survey results in January next year.

Owen Sharp, chief executive of Dogs Trust, said: “We’re also delighted that our hard-working staff, volunteers and foster carers have helped over 10,000 dogs find their forever homes this year. From the oldest dogs in our care through to the almost 400 puppies born in our centres, we work tirelessly to ensure every dog finds a home they can call their own.

“On behalf of everyone at Dogs Trust, we’d like to wish our supporters and the nation’s dogs a very Happy New Year and look forward to helping many more four-legged friends to find their new homes in 2024.” 

Image © Dogs Trust

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."