Dogs come in all shapes and sizes - the Royal Kennel Club (formerly the UK Kennel Club) recognises 221 different pedigree dogs, from Affenpinscher to Yorkshire Terrier (there are sadly no dog breeds starting with the letter ‘z’!).
Then there are all manner of crossbreeds, from so-called ‘designer dogs’ to lovable mongrels.
Each has its own list of positive and negative attributes, and it’s important to take plenty of time to think about what breed will fit into your lifestyle the best - for instance a smaller dog if you live in a flat, or a hypoallergenic dog if the mere mention of dog hair makes you think about sneezing.
There is even scientific research to guide you, in particular psychologist Stanley Coren’s groundbreaking book The Intelligence of Dogs.
The Kennel Club separates breeds into seven different groups, each of which have a particular set of attributes.
If you are looking for a dog that is active, adventurous, easy to train and extremely loving then it’s worth considering a gundog.
These dogs may have originally been bred for hunting but are now amongst the most popular companion and family dogs.
The Kennel Club recently released their breed registration statistics for 2025, revealing how many of each breed of dog were registered with them over the year.
According to those figures, here are the 12 most popular gundogs in the UK.
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9. Irish Setter
The Kennel Club has 480 new Red Setter registrations last year. Wonderful family pets, they get on particularly well with children. | AFP via Getty Images
10. Italian Spinone
A more unusual breed of gundog that has grown in popularity in recent years is the Italian Spinone which, with 339 registration in 2025 is making its top 10 debut. Used in Italy for tracking and retrieving game, the breeds origins are shrouded in mystery. | Getty Images
11. Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
The smallest of the popular retriever breeds, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is prized by hunters for its ability to lure waterfowl within gunshot range. There were 313 registered with the Royal Kennel Club in 2025. | Getty Images
12. Hungarian Wirehair Vizsla
Just missing out on a spot in the top 10, with 334Kennel Cub registrations last year, is the Hungarian Wirehair Vizsla. It was developed in the 1930s to produce a Vizsla with a heavier coat, better suited for working in cold weather and retrieving from icy water. | Getty Images