Surging Popularity Of Small Dogs Down To Cramped Urban Flats, According Kennel Club telegraph.co.uk

The booming popularity of small dogs as pets is being driven by more people living in cramped city flats, according to the Kennel Club.

The organisation’s registration figures show that smaller breeds accounted for 90 percent of the increase in pet numbers in the past five years.

Among the most popular of breeds were French bulldogs, whose registrations have shot up by almost 350 per cent, and dachshunds, who have risen by almost 300 per cent.

The Queen's favourites, Welsh corgis, have also enjoyed something of a resurgence as the number of registrations rose by almost 40 percent.

The Kennel Club said that the shift to smaller dogs was partly being driven by people wanting a pet to suit a “city lifestyle”, which often means living in a flat.

Welsh corgie, the Queen's favourite breed, are among the smaller dogs enjoying resurgent popularity
Welsh corgie, the Queen's favourite breed, are among the smaller dogs enjoying resurgent popularity CREDIT: PA
Caroline Kisko, secretary of the Kennel Club, said: “City lifestyles area huge factor in the changes in popularity, as smaller dogs can be a good fit for urban life.”

New homes are more than a fifth smaller than they were in the 1970s, according to the Royal Institute of British Architects.

Government guidance says that no studio flat should be smaller than 37 square metres but almost 8,000 smaller homes were sold last year.

The Kennel Club said other factors driving the surge in small dog ownership were their popularity with celebrities such as the Beckhams, Lady Gaga and Hugh Jackman, who all own French bulldogs.

Meanwhile, registrations for larger breeds have seen a general decline with Old English sheepdogs down 17 percent over the same period, Great Danes by 24 percent and akitas by 57 percent.

The Old English sheepdogs are on the Kennel Club’s “at watch” list because of their low numbers.

The organisation also warned against people supposing there was a false canine economy with smaller dogs, saying they needed as much exercise and engagement as their larger counterparts.

Ms Kisko added: “People should not make the mistake of thinking small breeds require less exercise and stimulation, as smaller dogs such as the miniature bull terrier and toy poodle need up to an hour of physical and mental stimulation a day to keep them happy and healthy.”