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Harrogate named among most 'dog-filled' areas in UK

Friday, 7 February 2025 12:43

Harrogate is home to 7.4 dogs per 20 people, according to a new study.

Harrogate has been named among the UK's biggest dog hotspots.

A new study has revealed Britain is home to more than 13 million dogs - four million higher than previous estimates.

And researchers have also revealed the areas of the country with the greatest ratio of dogs to people.

Their analysis has revealed that Telford is Britain's top dog hotspot, with 8.2 dogs per 20 people.

And Harrogate is not far behind, with 7.4 dogs per 20 people.

The list also includes Darlington (8 per 20 people), Swansea (7.4), Llandrindod Wells (7.2) and Sunderland (7.2).

Dr Kirsten McMillan, Deputy Head of Research at Dogs Trust, said:

“The UK is well known for being a nation of dog lovers, but it turns out we may have significantly underestimated how many dogs are out there by over four million!

“It's been fascinating to uncover stark differences in dog density throughout the UK, with Telford and Darlington emerging as leaders, boasting the highest dog-to-human ratios.

“These and future statistics provide valuable insights into regional trends and the dynamics of pet ownership across the country.”

Researchers did not look at the spread of dogs by breed - although this could be addressed in future studies.

Dr McMillan added:

“With plans to replicate this study in the future, we'll be able to track changes in dog populations over time, helping us better understand the changing population, including breed popularity and its impact on welfare.”

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