How Many Dogs Are There in Canada in 2026? Statistics & More
Approximately 60% of Canadian households own at least one pet. But how many of these are dogs? The number of dogs in Canada grew from 7.6 million in 2018 to 7.7 million in 2020 and continues to climb. Canadians love dogs!
Let’s look at more interesting facts about dogs in Canada.
What Are the Most Popular Dog Breeds in Canada?
Canadians love dogs, but some dog breeds are more popular than others. Here are the top ten most popular dog breeds in Canada and their population numbers.
| Rank | Breed | Population |
| 1 | Golden Retrievers | 1,572,000 |
| 2 | Shiba Inu | 1,488,000 |
| 3 | Cane Corso | 1,392,000 |
| 4 | Border Collie | 1,260,000 |
| 5 | French Bulldog | 1,260,000 |
| 6 | Rottweiler | 1,164,000 |
| 7 | Pomeranian | 996,000 |
| 8 | Papillon | 876,000 |
| 9 | Bernese Mountain Dog | 864,000 |
| 10 | Shih Tzu | 864,000 |
Are There Any Canadian Dog Breeds?
The Canadian Kennel Club maintains registration for 187 breeds of Canadian purebred dogs. It also recognizes several other breeds that aren’t formally registered.
All breeds are classified into groups according to their purpose:
There is also a miscellaneous category for dog breeds that don’t fit these categorizations or that are in the process of receiving official recognition.
Breeds recognized by Canadian Kennel Club as uniquely Canadian:
While the last two breeds on the list have Canadian-inspired names, their breed development occurred primarily in Great Britain and Europe.
Final Thoughts
Despite holding the second spot in popularity behind cats, Canadian dog owners still account for almost half of pet ownership in Canada. Five distinctive Canadian dog breeds are recognized by the Canadian Kennel Club, some of which are almost non-existent outside of the country.
See also: 21 Canadian Dog & Cat Statistics to Know
Featured Image Credit: atyana Vyc, Shutterstock
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Chelsie is a freelance writer who is passionate about helping owners and pets live their best lives. She resides in rural Alberta, Canada with her husband and two sons, and is currently a pet parent to four horses, four cats, and a Border Collie .
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