Britain’s most popular designer dogs revealed – so do YOU know your Havapoo from your
From Snorkies to Puggles and Cockachons to Springbatts, designer dogs are among Britain’s most popular pets of choice.
The question is, how many of the 150 most common mixes could you name?
Thanks to a new study by the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), which looked at where the likes of Irish Doodles, Chugs, Shichons and Goldadors rank in the popularity stakes, a full list is included below.
Claiming top spot and way out in front are friendly Cockapoos – a cross between a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle.
Next come Labradoodles, which are a mix of a Labrador and Poodle, while Lurchers, Cavapoos and Sprockers round out the top five.
From Snorkies to Puggles and Cockachons to Springbatts, designer dogs are among Britain’s most popular pets of choice. The question is, how many of the 150 most common mixes could you name?
Top dog: Claiming top spot and way out in front are friendly Cockapoos – a cross between a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle
Jugs – which are a cross between a Pug and Jack Russell Terrier – claim 6th place, Chorkies 7th, Cavachons 8th, Goldendoodles 9th and Puggles 10th.
Among the other breeds which make the top 20 are Miniature Labradoodles, Schnoodles, Maltipoos, Jack-Chis, Shichons, Australian Labradoodles, Jackapoo, Poochons, Springadors and Yorkipoos.
Dogs are one of Britain’s best-loved pets, with the country’s canine population hitting a staggering 11 million this year, according to the PDSA.
Despite this, there has been surprisingly little research on the popularity of breeds of different ages in the UK.
Pomskies, which are a cross between a Pomeranian and a Siberian Husky, are a popular choice
Cute: A Springbatt (pictured) is a cross between a Basset Hound and a Springer Spaniel
A Cockachon (pictured) is a cross between an American Cocker Spaniel and a Bichon Frise
In their new study, the team from the RVC analysed 2,237,105 dogs across 800 distinct breeds in the UK.
Data collected on each dog included their age, breed, body shape, body weight and sex.
The results revealed that, across all age groups, non-designer crossbreeds were the most popular, making up 24 per cent of the population.
This was followed by the Labrador Retriever (6.9 per cent), Jack Russell Terrier (4.5 per cent), English Cocker Spaniel (4.3 per cent), Staffordshire Bull Terrier (4.2 per cent) and Chihuahua (3.6 per cent).
However, the results were startlingly different when focusing on dogs aged under one year.
Among UK puppies, after general crossbreeds (20 per cent), the most common breeds were the French Bulldog (7.0 per cent), Cockapoo (6.2 per cent), Labrador Retriever (5.8 per cent), English Cocker Spaniel (4.7 per cent) and Chihuahua (4.2 per cent).
Dr Dan O’Neill, Associate Professor in Companion Animal Epidemiology at the RVC, and lead author of the paper, said: ‘With 800 dog breeds available in the UK, this VetCompass study shows there are still plenty of healthy breeds to choose from that do not suffer from extreme body shapes such as flat faces, skin folds or absent tails.
This cute little dog is a Chiweenie – a cross between a chihuahua and a dachshund
Havapoos – a mixture of a Havanese and Toy or Miniature Poodle – are another popular dog
‘Despite this, many UK owners are still persuaded by social influences and trends into acquiring dogs with extreme body shapes that are likely to result in serious health issues during much of their dogs’ lives.
‘The advice is to stop and think before buying a dog with an extreme body shape.’
Flat-faced dogs’ short-faced ‘brachycephalic’ characteristics did not evolve naturally, and are instead the result of selective breeding.
This facial structure puts them at high risk for a range of health conditions, including skin fold dermatitis, breathing and eye issues.
A study published last year by researchers from the RVC compared the risks of 40 common conditions in pugs with other dog breeds.
This designer dog is a Jug, a cross between a Pug and a Jack Russell Terrier
The team analysed the records of 16,218 pugs and 889,326 non-pug breeds, taken from the VetCompass database.
Their analysis revealed that pugs were at increased risk for 23 out of 40 common disorders.
Pugs were 54 times more likely to have brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome – a condition affecting the upper airway – and 51 times more likely to have narrow nostrils.
The breed was also 13 times more likely to suffer from corneal ulceration, 2.5 times more likely to suffer from obesity, and twice as likely to have overgrown nails.
Meanwhile, the researchers say the rise in designer crosses such as Cockapoos, Cavapoos, and Labradoodles is also concerning.
Owners often opt to spend huge amounts on these breeds amid the belief that they make better pets, trigger fewer allergic reactions or are easier to look after.
However, the researchers say there is limited evidence to support any of these beliefs.
The team hopes the findings will help prospective owners to make more informed decisions when buying a puppy.
‘We hope this paper encourages prospective dog owners to be thorough in their research and to prioritise the welfare of their new pet – above all else,’ Dr McMillan added.
‘Helping to ensure a long and happy life for their new family member.’