With people spending more time at home due to the pandemic, searches for dog adoption in the UK are now at an all-time high, research shows.
Animal care course provider Oxbridge says online searches for dog adoption increased by a whopping 203% over the last year, spiking with each national lockdown.
Using search data from Google, Oxbridge has now revealed the most adopted breeds in the country, analysed trends over time and by region, and looked into which dogs are most commonly rehomed.
The team found that the 20 most popular breeds in the UK account for 76% of all dog adoption searches – and many breeds in desperate need of adoption were overlooked.
Adoption trends vary by region - Greyhound is the most popular in Scotland, Northern Ireland and South West – regions with larger rural areas, better suited to larger breeds. French Bulldogs are number one for adoptions in the North East.
The research found that over half of the most popular dogs are small breeds, and the majority in the companion group.
Pugs were the most popular breed a few years ago – but have seen rapid declining interest since 2017. Meanwhile, Mongrels are among the least-adopted, despite the number in need of a good home, fewer health issues and longer life expectancy.
Claire Barber, animal care specialist at Oxbridge, said: "Although it’s heartening to see such a healthy rise in animal adoption as a result of the pandemic, it’s clear many animals are being overlooked based on their breed alone.
"Those looking to adopt might also consider less popular breeds, which are desperately in need of a good home."
So which breeds were the most popular for adoption in the North East? See the table below.
The most adopted dog breeds in the North East:
(dog breeds, monthly adoption searches)
1. French Bulldog - 210
2. Cockapoo - 190
3. Greyhound - 170
4. Dachshund - 160
5. Whippet - 150
6. Beagle - 130
7. Border Collie - 120
8. Cocker Spaniel - 110
9. Golden Retriever - 100
10. Pug - 90
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