We’re officially a nations of dog owners, with the UK’s most popular pet living in around one-in-three households (and rising).
That means that there are around three million pooches living here, with more people choosing to join the army of dog lovers every week.
Of course, if you are looking to welcome a dog into your family, there are 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, alongside numerous crossbreeds, so there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your family’s latest addition.
There’s even academic guidance to seek out, with Psychologist Stanley Coren’s book ‘The Intelligence of Dogs’ ranking breeds by instincts, obedience, and the ability to adapt.
Choosing the right breed is absolutely essential – for example opting for a small dog if you don’t have much room at home, or a hypoallergenic dog if you suffer from allergies.
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 affectionate and enjoys building a bond with its owner - but is small enough that you don’t need to own a mansion to own one - then it’s worth looking at a pup in the toy dog group.
These are the 10 most popular toy dogs in the UK, according to UK Kennel Club registrations in 2024.

5. Chihuahua (Short Hair)
Completing the top five most popular toy dog breeds - and just behind their hairier cousins - is the short haired breed of Chihuahua. There were 908 new dogs registered with the Kennel Club last year. | Canva/Getty Images

6. Maltese
A classic lapdog bred in the 19th century to be a loyal companion for their human owners, the Maltese had 724 registrations in 2024. | Canva/Getty Images

7. Italian Greyhound
Popular with nobility, statues of the Italian Greyhound have been found dating back to the second century AD. There were 541 registered in 2024. | Canva/Getty Images

8. Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkie originated in 19th century Yorkshire when a number of different Terriers brought by workers from Scotland interbred. A playful and energetic dog, there were 468 Yorkshire Terriers registered with the Kennel Club last year. | Canva/Getty Images

