Dog Population by Country (Updated List)

Dogs, man’s best friend, are cherished pets in households worldwide. With a global dog population of approximately 900 million, about 500 million are pet dogs, spanning numerous breeds. This article examines the pet dog populations in various countries, highlighting their popularity and diversity. Understanding the distribution and number of dog breeds is essential for appreciating their role in human society and culture.

Watch the video below for a quick visual summary.

Studying dog populations by country is crucial for crafting effective animal welfare policies, managing pet health, and understanding pet ownership trends. This article delves into the top 10 countries with the highest number of pet dogs, examines dog populations per capita, and tracks changes in pet dog numbers over the years, providing valuable insights into global pet ownership dynamics.

Top 10 Countries with Most Dogs

The United States leads with an estimated 90 million pet dogs, reflecting its strong pet culture and large population. Brazil follows with 55 million, while China has 54.29 million pet dogs, showcasing their growing interest in pet ownership. Japan and Mexico have significant numbers as well, with 20 million and 18 million pet dogs, respectively. Russia (17.55 million), the United Kingdom (12 million), the Philippines (11 million), Germany (10.3 million), and India (10.2 million) also feature prominently on the list, highlighting the widespread love for dogs across different cultures and regions.

These figures underline the diverse and extensive distribution of pet dogs globally. Factors such as cultural preferences, economic conditions, and urbanization levels influence the number of pet dogs in each country. The data also indicate the importance of pet dogs in households worldwide, contributing to social, emotional, and even economic aspects of human life.

Top 10 Countries with Highest Dog Population per Capita

USA: 27 dogs per 100 people
Brazil: 26 dogs per 100 people
Australia: 25 dogs per 100 people
Argentina: 23 dogs per 100 people
Mexico: 21 dogs per 100 people
Russia: 20 dogs per 100 people
Japan: 19 dogs per 100 people
France: 18 dogs per 100 people
United Kingdom: 17 dogs per 100 people
Germany: 15 dogs per 100 people

These countries exhibit a high number of pet dogs relative to their population sizes, reflecting strong cultural preferences for keeping dogs as pets and the infrastructure to support pet ownership.

Pet Dog Population over the Years

The global pet dog population has seen significant growth over the years. In the early 2000s, there were around 400 million pet dogs. By 2010, this number had increased to 450 million, driven by rising pet ownership in emerging economies. Recent estimates suggest there are now about 500 million pet dogs worldwide, indicating a continuous upward trend. This growth highlights the increasing popularity of dogs as pets and the expanding role they play in human lives.

Dog Population by Country (Full List)

#	Country	Estimated Dog Population
1	United States	90,000,000
2	Brazil	55,000,000
3	China	54,290,000
4	Japan	20,000,000
5	Mexico	18,000,000
6	Russia	17,550,000
7	United Kingdom	12,000,000
8	Philippines	11,000,000
9	Germany	10,300,000
10	India	10,200,000
11	Argentina	10,000,000
12	South Africa	9,500,000
13	Spain	9,313,000
14	Indonesia	9,000,000
15	Italy	8,700,000
16	Thailand	8,200,000
17	Canada	7,900,000
18	France	7,500,000
19	Poland	6,467,000
20	Egypt	5,700,000
21	South Korea	5,450,000
22	Vietnam	5,400,000
23	Ukraine	4,500,000
24	Romania	4,195,000
25	Pakistan	4,000,000
26	Myanmar	3,600,000
27	Malaysia	3,500,000
28	Hungary	2,800,000
29	Kazakhstan	2,500,000
30	Belarus	2,500,000
31	Czech Republic	2,205,000
32	Portugal	2,105,000
33	Iran	2,100,000
34	Afghanistan	2,000,000
35	Saudi Arabia	1,900,000
36	Netherlands	1,850,000
37	Uzbekistan	1,800,000
38	Turkey	1,655,000
39	Nigeria	1,500,000
40	Ethiopia	1,500,000
41	Serbia	1,400,000
42	Belgium	1,340,000
43	Kenya	1,300,000
44	Iraq	1,200,000
45	Morocco	1,200,000
46	Azerbaijan	1,200,000
47	Uganda	1,100,000
48	Croatia	1,050,000
49	Sri Lanka	1,000,000
50	Ghana	950,000
51	Slovakia	920,000
52	Turkmenistan	900,000
53	Sweden	890,000
54	Austria	837,000
55	Nepal	800,000
56	Mongolia	800,000
57	Kyrgyzstan	800,000
58	Tanzania	800,000
59	Democratic Republic of Congo	800,000
60	Finland	760,000
61	Bulgaria	750,000
62	Bangladesh	750,000
63	Tunisia	700,000
64	Bosnia and Herzegovina	700,000
65	Tajikistan	700,000
66	Ivory Coast	700,000
67	Zimbabwe	700,000
68	Greece	660,000
69	Denmark	610,000
70	Georgia	600,000
71	Angola	600,000
72	New Zealand	560,500
73	Lithuania	550,000
74	Albania	550,000
75	Switzerland	544,000
76	Libya	500,000
77	Israel	500,000
78	Armenia	500,000
79	Madagascar	500,000
80	Norway	490,000
81	Ireland	457,000
82	Montenegro	400,000
83	Botswana	400,000
84	Mozambique	400,000
85	Zambia	350,000
86	Malawi	350,000
87	North Macedonia	320,000
88	Namibia	300,000
89	Rwanda	300,000
90	Slovenia	280,000
91	Latvia	270,000
92	Estonia	235,000
93	Burundi	200,000
94	Kosovo	150,000
95	Swaziland	150,000
96	Lesotho	100,000
97	Cyprus	100,000
98	Malta	60,000
99	Iceland	50,000
100	Luxembourg	30,000

Understanding dog populations by country provides valuable insights into global pet ownership trends. From the sheer number of dogs to their distribution per capita, these statistics highlight the deep bond between humans and their canine companions. Explore the comprehensive list of dog populations by country to gain a deeper understanding of this global phenomenon.

FAQs

Which country has the highest number of pet dogs?
- The United States has the highest number of pet dogs, with an estimated 90 million.

How many pet dogs are there globally?
- There are approximately 500 million pet dogs worldwide.

Source

World Population Review – Dog Ownership by Country 2024

Dog Population by Country 2026 (Updated List)