What is Scotland's favourite breed of dog?

A survey has revealed that Scottish dog owners spend the most time with their pets, as the most popular pooch has been crowned.

Dogs Trust’s National Dog Survey revealed that Labradors are the most popular dog breed, accounting for 13.5% of all pure-breed dogs.

The survey, which is the biggest in the UK, also found that Labradors account for 10% of all dogs in Scotland.

For the first time, Dachshunds have entered the top 10 most popular dog breeds among puppies under one year old.

French Bulldogs, currently 15th among puppies under one year old, appear to be declining in numbers.

Dog’s Trust says the decline could be due to fewer puppies since the pandemic puppy boom or growing awareness around the health issues linked to flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds.

The survey also found that Scottish dog owners are still huge crossbreed lovers, with 35% of dogs in the region being a type of crossbreed.

The most popular cross-breeds are Cockapoos (Cocker Spaniel x Poodle), Cavapoos (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel x Poodle), Labradoodles (Labrador x Poodle), and Lurchers (a Greyhound, Whippet or Saluki crossed with another breed of dog such as a Collie or Terrier).

It also found that Scottish owners spend “well over the national average” amount of time a day with their four-legged friends, an average of two hours and 20 minutes.

Dogs Trust says prospective dog owners should expect to dedicate around two hours and 12 minutes daily to dog-related activities such as walks, grooming, and feeding.

Nationally, the bulk of this time is spent walking (67 minutes), followed by feeding and enrichment (41 minutes), with an additional 24 minutes typically spent running errands with their dog.

The survey revealed that Luna and Alfie were the most common names in the region, closely followed by Poppy, Bella, Buddy and Archie.

Chief executive of Dogs Trust, Owen Sharp, said the survey is “a vital tool to help us understand the impact of dogs, the challenges, and the joy of dog ownership”.

He added: “Whether you are one of the 94% of people who treat your dog as a member of your family, or you have a Labrador named Teddy, every dog deserves a loving home and the right support,” he said.

“The results of the National Dog Survey will help Dogs Trust to continue to tailor our services to meet and support the real needs of dog owners and ensure that every dog has the best chance at finding their forever home.”