Dog population soaring ahead of Renters Rights Bill

New research suggests that the UK dog population may have been underestimated by up to four million.

Dogs are the most popular pet within the United Kingdom, with 31% of households owning at least one, but while previous population estimates – including those based on public surveys – put the population between 9m and 11.5m, new research from Dogs Trust says the true figure may be 13m.

Previously, estimating the total dog population in the UK was challenging due to a lack of comparable and accessible data. Dogs Trust has collaborated with researchers from the University of Leeds and the University of Exeter to combine and model data from 18 diverse sources – including a breed registry, an academic institution, veterinary organisations, pet insurance companies, and animal welfare charities – to create a more accurate picture.

The information comes as the Renters Rights Bill – set to become law within a few months – notionally makes it harder for landlords to resist tenant pleas to be allowed to keep pets in their rental properties.

Dr Xavier Harrison, senior lecturer at the University of Exeter, says: “Knowing how many dogs there are in the UK is important, but isn’t necessarily straightforward to calculate. Up to date estimates of the size and distribution of the dog population within the UK, and how these trends vary by breed and age, allow us to highlight where and why certain breeds are more popular. More importantly, they provide a solid baseline for investigating what factors that may drive changes in dog ownership in the future, with consequences for human and pet health.”

Read the full article at Landlord Today