Estimating the UK Dog Population in 2019
Author Information
Author(s): Kirsten M. McMillan, Xavier A. Harrison, David C. Wong, Melissa M. Upjohn, Robert M. Christley, Rachel A. Casey
Primary Institution: Dogs Trust, London, UK
Hypothesis
What is the size and demographic distribution of the UK pet dog population in 2019?
Conclusion
The study estimates that there were approximately 12.64 million pet dogs in the UK in 2019, with a significant portion being purebreds.
Supporting Evidence
- Data from 18 project participants were combined to estimate the dog population.
- The estimated dog population was 12.64 million, with a median of 13.03 million.
- 83% of the dog population was reported to reside in England.
- 85.8% of the dog population were purebreds.
- Significant regional variations in dog population density were observed.
Takeaway
In 2019, there were about 12.64 million pet dogs in the UK, and most of them were purebreds. This helps us understand how many dogs are out there and what kinds they are.
Methodology
A hierarchical Bayesian N-mixture model was used to estimate the dog population size based on data from multiple sources.
Potential Biases
Potential biases may arise from socioeconomic demographics and human reporting errors.
Limitations
The study may not fully represent younger age groups and does not include laboratory dogs or racing greyhounds.
Participant Demographics
The study included data from various sources, including breed registries, veterinary corporations, and animal welfare charities.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI 8.54–15.16 million
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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