101 Mind-Blowing Dog Statistics

Here at Pet News Daily we love interesting dog facts and statistics. For that reason, we surveyed 500 dog owners to get answers to some of our most pressing questions, namely:

What percentage of dog owners let their dog lick their faces?
What percentage of dog owners dress their dogs for the holidays?
What percentage of dog owners put their dog on a holiday card?
What percentage of dog owners give their dog a middle name?
What percentage of dog owners take their pets on vacation with them?

We got answers to all of those questions in the survey data below:

The people have spoken. Dogs grace the households of more than 50 percent of the U.S. population, with roughly 108 million dogs claiming a home, and hopefully a couch.¹ Americans love dogs so much, the average home with canines has more than one dog. Around the world, dogs are a favorite pet as well, with almost half a billion canines living in homes across the globe.

We compiled a mind-blowing list of dog statistics that might make you think twice. From the vast population of dogs in the U.S. to the most energetic dogs in Europe, we found canines highly sought after, spoiled, trained, and well taken care of. Pet owners are a special breed, spending more money on their dogs than themselves sometimes, and demanding better supplies and treatment for their furry family members. Across all generations, dogs help us live better, sleep better, and keep moving well into retirement years.

Thinking about bringing a dog into your family? Check out our list of the best animal shelters in America. If you’re looking for a specific breed, find a reputable breeder on our list of the best dog breeders in America.

Top 10 Mind Blowing Dog Statistics

Rank	Category	Statistic
1.	Number of Dogs in the U.S.	69 million U.S. households have at least one dog. ²
2.	Number of Dogs in the World	471 million dogs worldwide have a home of their own. ³
3.	Number of Dogs in the U.S.	80 percent of American males have a dog.⁴
4.	Dogs are the Best Pets	The average U.S. pet owner spends up to $1,500 a year on their dog. ⁵
5.	Dog Owners	79 percent of dog owners buy their dogs holiday presents. ⁶
6.	Dog Owners	80 percent of dog owners believe they’re happier and healthier because of their dog. ⁷
7.	Number of Dogs in the World	Out of 140 plus countries, Europe features the most active dogs worldwide. ⁸
8.	Dog Behavior and Well-Being	41 percent of pet owners are more concerned about their dog’s well-being than in previous years. ⁹
9.	Dog Training	Dog training services in the U.S. account for $272 million in the pet industry. ¹⁰
10.	Dogs are the Best Pets	Pet services are expected to near $16 billion in sales by 2025. ¹¹

Keep reading for more amazing facts about man’s best friend.

Number of Dogs in the U.S.

There’s a lot to learn about Americans and their dogs. From puppy lovers to senior softies, more and more Americans are discovering the benefit of having a dog. So, how many people own a dog?

1. 69 million U.S. households have at least one dog.

According to the 2021-2022 APPA National Pet Owners Survey, dogs are the people’s choice for 69 million homes in the U.S. that have at least one furry family member. In comparison, cats rule the throne in about 45 million homes.²

2. Households with dogs almost equal all households with other pets.

70.6 million U.S. homes have other pets, either instead of or in addition to dogs, such as birds, cats, horses, reptiles, and other small animals. Freshwater and saltwater fish add 14.7 million homes to the 90.5 million households that have pets.³

3. There was a nearly 50 percent increase over the last 10 years in the number of households that have dogs.

And just since 2018, there was an 11 percent jump in homes with dogs. 39 percent of those dogs were adopted from a shelter or rescue.⁴

4. 80 percent of American males have a dog.

68 percent of females have a dog, with Millennials leading the way across generations at 61 percent dog ownership. 79 percent of women and 91 percent of men grew up with dogs.⁵

5. 55 percent of adults 50 to 80 years old have at least one pet.

The majority of those pet owners have at least one dog. About 80 percent reported having help to take care of the animal, but nearly 90 percent are certain their dog enhances their life.⁶

6. The number of homes with retirees who have dogs increased by 67 percent.

Similarly, the number of houses with dog owners aged 65 to 74 years old increased by 78 percent. The number of households with dog owners who are not married increased by 32 percent. ⁷

7. Idaho has the most homes with dogs, as of 2016.

The highest percentage of homes with dogs as family members belongs to the state of Idaho at 58 percent. Montana follows closely at almost 52 percent. West Virginia also has roughly 52 percent of homes with dogs.⁸

8. District of Columbia has the least amount of homes with dogs, as of 2016.

Dogs don’t grace too many homes in D.C., at only 22 to 23 percent of residents. But then, cats don’t live there either – only 16 percent of homes have cats.⁹

9. Dogs are not as popular in Rhode Island or South Dakota as in the rest of the U.S.

D.C. isn’t the only place with few homes with dogs. Rhode Island, South Dakota, New Jersey, and Maryland fall below 50 percent of homes with dogs.¹⁰

10. Massachusetts has the most active dogs.

These pups are most active on the weekend. Other states that house active doggos include New York, Colorado, Missouri, and California. But Washington and Arizona need to go for a few more walks to catch up.¹¹

11. The year 2020 saw a 32 percent decrease in dog adoption in the U.S.

Compared to 2019, the number of dogs adopted in America during the pandemic declined significantly. However, there was a 13 percent increase in the number of dogs fostered during the same time frame.¹² ¹³

12. More than 400 humane pet-sale laws have been enforced across the country.

The sale of pets from breeding mills has been banned in multiple states, including Maine, California, Washington, and Maryland. This law has played a part in decreasing the number of purebreds and increasing the number of mixed-breed dogs.¹⁴

13. 56 percent of households with a furry canine have a purebred furry canine.

Though the number of homes with purebreds has decreased since 2002, from 63 percent, purebreds are still a favorite among folks in the U.S. Mixed-breed dogs make up 54 percent of households with canines.¹⁵

14. 77 percent of dogs in the U.S. are neutered.

Over the years, the overall percentage of cats and dogs spayed and neutered has increased. However, the current number of neutered dogs has decreased from 85 percent since 2016.¹⁶

15. 2 million dogs are adopted from animal shelters every year.

Around 710,000 dogs brought in to shelters every year as strays are returned to their owners. Unfortunately, about 390,000 shelter dogs are euthanized annually.¹⁷

16. More than 80 percent of Americans favor pet adoption, but less than half of them act on it.

84 percent of pet owners claim to heavily lean toward pet adoption, but actions spoke louder than words. Only 40 percent of folks adopted when getting a pet. ¹⁸

17. 3.1 million dogs are relinquished to animal shelters every year.

This number has decreased from 3.9 million over the last 10 years. Euthanization rates have also decreased, possibly thanks to the no-kill movement and an increase in adoptions. ¹⁹

18. Nearly half of all animal shelters in the U.S. are no-kill.

The number of no-kill animal shelters has doubled in the last five years. These shelters have a 90 percent save rate. More than 80 percent of people believe no-kill shelters are important and are more apt to support them.²⁰

19. The demand for pet hospice, funeral, and cremation services for dogs is on the rise.

Americans love their dogs. From birth to death, they want the best. Giving their dogs top-notch care in their golden years is the new standard. ²¹

Number of Dogs in the World

Europeans and Brazilians are as crazy about dogs as Americans. It’s a worldwide dog lovefest.

20. 471 million dogs worldwide have a home of their own.

Globally, dogs are the favorite pet. But in the European Union, cats are more popular. Germany leads the way, though, for the love of dogs in the EU. ²²

21. Europe has approximately 90 million dogs for pets.

Though this number increased from 2019 to 2020, dog ownership in Europe is still not as popular as having a cat. Germany has the most dog family members, reaching almost 11 million in the region. ²³

22. Europe saw an increase of about 17 million dogs from 2010 to 2020.

In roughly the same time frame, homes in Europe with new pets rose by about 15 million. Annual pet food sales remained about the same, however, as the last ten years.²⁴

23. Out of 140 plus countries, Europe features the most active dogs worldwide.

The fittest puppies and adult dogs, comprising more than 300 breeds, romp through the Swiss countryside, making Switzerland the No. 1 country with the most active dogs. They lead the way ahead of Great Britain, Germany, and Finland.²⁵

24. The U.K. has 12.5 million dogs as pets.

Roughly 33 percent of U.K. households have a dog, with the majority of people citing ‘happiness’ as the main reason they got a dog.²⁶²⁷

25. More than 90 percent of U.K. dog owners microchip and register their dogs at the vet.

More than 80 percent of owners vaccinate and worm their dogs as well, while also treating them for fleas.²⁸

26. French pet owners have approximately 7.5 million dogs.

One-quarter of households in France have one or more dogs for pets, and 36 percent of pet products sales were for dogs. Though more homes have cats, dogs were voted as the favorite pet in 2017.²⁹

27. 25 percent of homes in Italy have at least one dog.

There are about 8.3 million dogs in the country, not counting stray dogs. 69 percent of dog owners either rescued their dogs off the street or adopted them through more official channels.³⁰

28. 94 percent of Italian dog owners ask their veterinarian about nutrition.

In Italy, dog owners prefer to feed their dogs homemade whole food. Though the majority of Italian veterinarians believe ready-made food is the healthiest, more than half agree homemade whole food is a good option. ³¹³²

29. Canada houses 7.7 million dogs as pets.

Canadians might prefer their cats with 8.1 million of them, but dogs have a place, too. Ontario even has more than 750 pet and pet supplies stores for animal owners to spoil their furry, feathery, scaly, or fin-powered friends.³³

30. 75 percent of Canadians consult their veterinarian for information about all types of pet care.

And 75 percent of Canadians shop for their dog supplies in brick-and-mortar retail stores. Though the pandemic increased online shopping, it’s not their first choice for purchasing pet products.³⁴

31. 55 million dogs grace the homes of Brazil.

43 percent received their dog as a present. In 2019, Brazil had 141.6 million pets, the most of any country in Latin America. Though dogs are their favorite, their second favorite pet is the bird. ³⁵³⁶

32. Russia has about 17.1 million dogs for pets.

Russians love their pets and it’s not uncommon for pet owners to have rescued their dog or cat off the street. Though cats are the country’s favorite pet, the number of households with dogs has been growing.³⁷

33. Romania is home to about 4.2 million pet dogs.

Though the number of homes with more than one dog has decreased since 2010, the overall number of pet dogs is on the rise again.³⁸

34. South Korea has approximately 6 million dogs as pets.

Nearly 25 percent of dogs in South Korea are the Maltese breed, clearly a favorite in this country. The Maltese, who weighs less than 7 pounds, has existed since Biblical times. ³⁹⁴⁰

35. Sweden has about 995,000 registered dogs.

Dogs are a favorite in Sweden, but still not as popular as cats. The most popular name was Molly, followed by Bella, and then Charlie. More than 20,000 dogs are being called by these names.⁴¹⁴²

36. Countries with fewer dogs include Lithuania, Ireland, and Slovenia.

Lithuania homes about 560,000 dogs, while places like Latvia and Estonia only house about 265,000 and 235,000 dogs, respectively.⁴³

37. The most-watched dog channel on YouTube has more than 4.7 trillion views.

Maymo, a Beagle who finds himself in comedic situations, has 11.1 million subscribers and features the most views of any dog channel.⁴⁴

38. The most influential social media dog has more than 32 million followers.

A tiny dog by the name of ‘Jiffpom’ has garnered tens of millions of fans from across the world via Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook. His TikTok account has 20.7 million followers, and Jiffpom’s Facebook page features 1.3 million fans.⁴⁵

Dogs Are the Best Pets

It’s obvious pet owners think dogs are good pets. The pet industry is growing on an annual basis, with more and more dog owners spoiling their pups in numerous ways.

39. The pet industry brings in about $100 billion and is anticipated to grow by $175 billion by the year 2030.

More than 60 percent of dog owners would put their pup before themselves and willingly take on debt in order to pay veterinarian bills. More than half of 18- to 34-year-old pet owners state they treat their dog like their child.⁴⁶

40. The average pet owner spends up to $1,500 a year on their dog.

The majority of Americans spend up to $500 a year on their dogs, while others spend a bit more. And many spend more at the holidays. Costs such as food, beds, supplies, grooming, and medical make up the majority of spending.⁴⁷

41. Dog food sales reached $7.23 billion in 2021.

Sales for dry dog food, also referred to as kibble, hit $5.35 billion and wet dog food sales reached $1.88 billion. Cat food sales brought in a total of $4.84 billion to the pet food industry.⁴⁸

42. 43 percent of American dog owners buy premium pet foods.

Dog food sales have increased, with refrigerated or frozen dog food sales going up by about 30 percent from 2019 to 2020. Freshpet takes the top spot with about $343 million in sales.⁴⁹

43. Dog owners spend an average of $440 per year on dog food.

They spend roughly an additional $230 a year on things like pet supplies, gifts, treats, and pet accessories.⁵⁰

44. Dog treat sales are heading toward $8 billion in sales.

In 2021, projected sales of dog treats were expected to reach $7.9 billion. And Americans love to give their dogs cookies, biscuits, and snacks. More than half consider treats with plant-based ingredients. About one-third of dog owners prefer to treat their dogs with a bone.⁵¹⁵²

45. Nestle Purina PetCare leads the way in sales for dog treats and food.

In 2020, the company made more than $6 billion in pet food and treat sales, half of which came from the purchase of canine products. E-commerce saw an increase of 30 percent in pet food sales.⁵³

46. Online pet product sales are expected to account for 35 percent of all pet product sales by 2024.

Millennials spoil their dogs more than most other generations. Their favorite way of shopping, coupled with the pandemic, equaled a positive and increasing E-commerce dog supplies business.⁵⁴⁵⁵

47. Dog toys are a $7.5 million business.

Toys for pets topped $1 billion in 2017, with dog toys accounting for about 75 percent of those sales. The dog toy market is a fast-growing segment of the pet industry, with 67 percent of homes with dogs purchasing toys in 2016.⁵⁶

48. Pet services are expected to near $16 billion in sales by 2025.

Pet services such as grooming, boarding, dog day care, dog walking, pet sitting, and dog training are anticipated to expand in the next few years, along with pet insurance.⁵⁷

49. The dog service used the most – that wasn’t medical – is professional grooming.

Pet grooming is a booming $8 billion business, with more than 130,000 grooming businesses that employ more than 230,000 employees. About 34 percent of dog owners take their dogs to be groomed by a professional.⁵⁸⁵⁹

50. Dog day care generates roughly $4.5 billion every year in the U.S.

There are about 16,000 dog day care companies in the U.S., but this figure doesn’t take into account day care services offered by a veterinarian’s office.⁶⁰

51. Dog walking is a $1 billion business.

Due to an increase in pet ownership, demand for dog walking services is expected to continue to grow. This industry is expected to increase significantly by 5.5 percent in the coming year. Previous years averaged a 1.8 percent increase in growth. ⁶¹

52. The average dog walking business makes $236,000 a year.

Pet sitting brings in roughly the same amount. This could point to why only 34 percent of dog owners reported exercise as a positive benefit from having a dog.⁶²⁶³

53. 42 percent of pet owners have their dog’s photo featured on their phone or laptop.

In a poll of 1,000 dog owners, BarkBox discovered dog owners love taking, posting, talking about, or looking at dog pictures. Pet photography is expected to grow and is currently a $124 million business.⁶⁴⁶⁵

54. 20 percent of the pictures on a pet owner’s phone are of their dog.

And they post these photos on social media about six times a week. 11 percent have social media accounts for their pup as well.⁶⁶

55. Dog owners spend about $240 a year at the vet’s office.

They spend about $120 on grooming, $50 on day care, $40 on training, and $20 on dog walking. ⁶⁷

56. The average annual pet insurance premium for dogs in the U.S. was about $218 to $594 in 2020.

To insure a dog with pet insurance, premiums run about $18 per month for accident-only. Premiums per month for accident and illness go for about $50 per month. ⁶⁸

Dog Owners

Dog owners may go overboard and document their pup’s every move or spend lots of money on them, but they really just want to be with their dogs.

57. 80 percent of dog owners believe they’re happier and healthier because of their dog.

83 percent of owners credit the affection they get. 73 percent believe it’s because the dog brings the family closer together. 62 percent report that dogs lower their stress levels.⁶⁹

58. 79 percent of dog owners buy their dogs holiday presents.

It’s no secret that dogs love to get presents. A new toy? What’s not to love? Turns out, dogs get parties, too. 61 percent of Millennial and Gen Z dog owners throw parties for their dogs.⁷⁰

59. 43 percent of dog owners sleep beside their canines at night.

Who doesn’t like a paw in the face or a dog who takes up the whole bed? Dog owners, especially women, prefer to sleep with a dog by their side. Whether for warmth or protection, dogs help their owners sleep better.⁷¹⁷²⁷³

60. Dog owners prefer to take their dogs with them when they travel.

More than half of pet owners travel with their dogs when it’s time to take a trip. Though boarding is a growing business within the pet industry, more and more Americans would rather have their dog by their side.⁷⁴

61. 25 million dog owners choose to use a pet-friendly hotel when traveling with their dogs.

Millions of dog owners refuse to leave their furry friends at home. Instead, many look for dog-friendly places to stay so they can bunk down with their favorite canine.⁷⁵

62. 11 million dog owners frequent pet-friendly restaurants with their dogs.

Pet-friendly restaurants are on the rise as more and more dog owners want to take their dogs with them everywhere they go. Most dog-friendly places feature an outdoor sitting area for those with pups.⁷⁶

63. 32 percent of dog owners dress their dogs.

And more than half of them buy designer labels. But then, 2.8 million dogs go to work with their owners, so they need to look fit for the office.⁷⁷

64. The most popular dog names of 2021 were Bella, Max, Luna, and Charlie.

Other popular names included Daisy, Bailey, Buddy, Bear, and Duke. Some dog owners were inspired by Olympians and named their dogs Katie, Simone, or Tom.⁷⁸

65. Naming a dog ‘Zoom’ is up 443 percent from 2020 to 2021.

The names ‘Fauci’ and ‘Covid’ are up 270 and 35 percent, respectively. Inspired by Olympian Suni Lee, the name ‘Suni’ is up 113 percent.⁷⁹

66. The top food name for dogs is ‘Beef.’

Americans are either hungry or want to travel. Names like Dior, Caviar, Dijon, Baguette, and Bologna are trending upward by hundreds of percent.⁸⁰

67. In 2020, there were 2.57 million dogs insured in the U.S.

In the U.S., 83 percent of pets who are insured are dogs. The growth rate for canine coverage was just over 18 percent from 2016. In comparison, Canada has about 265,000 dogs insured through pet insurance.⁸¹

68. 14 percent of dogs are surrendered to shelters or rescues due to a lack of housing.

Finding a place to rent when you have a dog can be difficult. Finding a place to live when you have a breed that falls under breed-specific legislation can be even harder. But 84 percent of Americans believe no breed should be restricted.⁸²

69. 14 percent of dogs go lost in a 5-year period.

Though stats are sketchy on lost pets, it’s estimated 30 percent of pets go missing in a 5-year time frame. Dogs and cats appear to get lost equally, but there’s a high probability of a lost dog being found.⁸³

70. 70 percent of Millennials purchase pet care products online through a subscription.

Online shopping has increased through the pandemic, and just over 85 percent of dog owners now shop for pet care products online.⁸⁴

71. Dog owners use Amazon as their No. 1 stop for pet products.

About half of dog owners in the U.S. use Amazon as their overall online source for pet supplies. The most-purchased dog treat brand is Purina.⁸⁵

72. Dog owners chose Chewy as their No. 1 online pet-only source for all things canine.

13 million homes with pets ordered pet products online in 2018. Chewy is currently a $4.85 billion E-commerce business.⁸⁶⁸⁷⁸⁸

72. Dog owners chose Pet Smart as their No. 1 brick-and-mortar pet-only source for all things canine.

Pet Smart, which has 1,650 retail stores in North America, also ranked second for online purchases by dog owners. The third choice for pet owners looking for dog supplies is Petco.⁸⁹⁹⁰

Dog Behavior and Well-Being

The pandemic reshaped the average family with dogs. More dog owners are paying attention to what their dogs need. From vet trips to an increase in using health supplements, dog owners want what’s best for their pup.

74. 41 percent of pet owners are more concerned about their dog’s well-being than in previous years.

During the pandemic and lockdowns, dog owners became more aware of their pet’s health. Despite closed in-person visits, trips to the veterinarian are up.⁹¹

75. Dogs go to the veterinarian 2.7 times per year.

Most dogs only go to the vet for their annual or biannual checkup, but some pups need more visits. 58 percent of owners specify vaccines as the main reason for the appointment.⁹²

76. Vet hospital visits for dogs went up about 9 percent from 2019 to 2020.

The jump in visits is credited to pet owners being home more often and alert to their pets’ needs. The pandemic didn’t just affect humans, though. There was a large increase in obesity, anxiety, allergies, and gastric distress among pets.⁹³

77. Pet medication sales in the U.S. hit $10.8 billion in 2020.

69 percent, or about $7.45 billion, of these sales were for dogs. This number includes getting medications through a veterinarian, retail store, or online pharmacy. Sales from the vet account for 72 percent of total pet medication sales.⁹⁴

78. 1 out of 3 dogs are overweight.

In the U.S., obesity in dogs has risen 158 percent in the last 10 years. This is concerning since more than 20 illnesses have been linked to obesity. Minnesota and Nebraska canines weigh the most.⁹⁵⁹⁶

79. 52 percent of dogs with osteoarthritis are also overweight.

With a 66 percent increase over the last 10 years, osteoarthritis is becoming of great concern to veterinarians. Obesity creates a higher risk for disease.⁹⁷

80. Obesity and osteoarthritis reduce mobility by 20 to 40 percent.

Using data from more than 300 breeds across more than 140 countries, FitBark crunched the numbers. As active as dogs are, those with conditions that affect their joints are 30 percent less active.⁹⁸

81. In the U.S., the number of dogs diagnosed with bloat has increased 1,500 percent since the 60s.

Bloat, also known as gastric dilatation with or without volvulus, has been on the rise since 1964, with a sharp increase in the 30 years following. Bloat has an 85 percent survival rate if the dog is brought in for surgery immediately.⁹⁹

82. 70 percent of pet owners do not brush their dog’s teeth.

Though veterinarians recommend brushing your dog’s teeth to ward off dental disease, most dog owners don’t. BarkBox conducted a survey with 1,000 pet owners and learned half of them don’t believe brushing is necessary.¹⁰⁰

83. In 2017, 77 percent of dogs had signs of dental disease.

That same year, the lowest prevalence of health conditions for dogs was kidney disease, diabetes, and heartworm. Internal parasites, fleas, and ticks were more common reasons for vet visits.¹⁰¹¹⁰²

84. 97 percent of doctors believe pets benefit our overall health.

Dogs and cats have a positive effect on humans. They lower our blood pressure, keep us more active, thwart depression, and lower our risk of a heart attack.¹⁰³

85. Dog owners purchase four times as many pet supplements as cat owners.

39 percent of dog owners think giving CBD supplements is a good idea. Pet owners who purchase supplements for their dogs prefer natural or organic products.¹⁰⁴

86. 11 percent of Americans give their dogs CBD.

Half of those who do, give the CBD in pet edible form. About 15 percent give their dogs CBD via tinctures or oils.¹⁰⁵¹⁰⁶

87. 3 to 6 months old is the height of puppy energy.

FitBark discovered that puppies between 3 and 6 months old are the most active. Small-breed puppies are even twice as active as large-breed puppies. That’s a lot of puppy energy (if you have a pup make sure you’re prepared to harness all of that spunk by checking out our checklist for a new puppy).¹⁰⁷

88. A dog’s sense of smell is thousands of times better than a human’s.

With up to 300 million olfactory receptors in a dog’s nose, it’s no wonder they can smell a variety of scents from a range of distances. Their ability to breathe through two different airways allows them to sniff a scent and breathe air at the same time.¹⁰⁸

Dog Training

Dogs are amazing animals. From aiding the police to comforting an elderly person, dogs can perform highly skilled feats and then shower you with love.

89. Dog training services in the U.S. account for $272 million in the pet industry.

The dog training sector of the pet industry was up and down in demand over the last five years. This figure includes training for obedience, behavior, and specific tasks.¹⁰⁹

90. The U.S. has just over 205,300 K9 Police Officers on active duty.

Most of the K9 officers are located in Chicago and Houston. A little more than 87 percent of the officers are male, with the average age being 40 years old.¹¹⁰

91. Honored with an award in 2021, K9 Mattis helped seize $3 million in drug money during his 5-year law enforcement career.

A German Shepherd was hailed a hero at the 2021 AKC Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellence for his successful career. With the help of his handler, Sergeant Mark Tappan, Mattis had more than 200 arrests while performing impressive stunts.¹¹¹

92. There are about 2,200 service dog trainers in the U.S.

Just over 60 percent of trainers for service dogs are female, with the average age around 38 years old. 50 percent of the trainers hold a bachelor’s degree.¹¹²

93. It costs around $25,000 or more to train a service dog.

And 50 to 70 percent of service dog candidates drop out of the program. Standards for a service dog, set by professional service dog trainers, are high, and not many dogs pass.¹¹³

94. The U.S. has about 230 guide dog trainers.

It’s about a 60/40 split between males and females, with the average age at 38 years old. About 70 percent of the trainers hold a bachelor’s degree.¹¹⁴

95. About 34,000 dogs were trained by one organization to be guide dogs for the blind.

Located in the U.K., The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association is the world’s largest assistance dog organization. They’ve helped thousands of individuals gain mobility. ¹¹⁵

96. Roughly 50 percent of nursing homes in the U.S. have a pet therapy program.

Though therapy dogs have helped in hospital settings since the 1980s, it’s only been within the last 10 years that it’s become commonplace to see them in nursing homes. ¹¹⁶

97. Obedience training has higher positive results if the dog has engaged in play first.

A study by Rooney and Bradshaw in 2002 learned dogs performed better in obedience training if they had a play session with their owner first. Playing with our dogs is an overall positive experience for both parties.¹¹⁷

98. The average age for a dog to compete in agility is 7 years old.

But dogs between 2 and 14 years old have competed in the National Agility Championship, many of whom competed more than once. 32 percent were new to the sport.¹¹⁸

99. 83 percent of agility handlers took a class before training their dog to compete in the sport.

And 58 percent of handlers trained their dog for a year or less before entering a competition. 40 percent trained for two years or more.¹¹⁹

100. More than 440 dogs have graduated from the ASPCA’s Behavioral Rehabilitation Center since 2013.

The center helps rehabilitate and train dogs that might otherwise be deemed unadoptable. These dogs are usually fearful and exhibit unwanted behaviors. They’re often rescued from horrible situations.¹²⁰

101. The most common behavioral issue for dogs is aggression.

It’s also the most common reason why dogs go through all types of training. The next two most common behavioral traits for dogs are excessive barking and destructive chewing.¹²¹¹²²

Dogs rule our lives and delight our hearts, hence our list of mind-blowing dog statistics. And since it is a dog’s world, we couldn’t resist cramming in as many dog stats as we could muster. Dogs have been with us through the ages, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

If you’re interested in statistics about dogs, you probably have interest in dogs. If you’re a dog owner, we have a load of resources that can help.

One set of guides is our collection of buying guides which can help you find a great waterproof dog bed, an outdoor dog bed, an elevated dog bed, or a dog bed for the couch.

You can also check out our puppy weight calculator, dog growth charts including our goldendoodle size chart, great dane size chart, chihuahua size chart, labrador size chart, and golden retriever size chart (and our general overview of the ideal weight for a dog), buying guides for important products like the best escape proof dog harnesses (read our review of escape proof dog harness) and our list of foods dogs can eat and our article on how long it takes for a dog to digest food.

Beyond that, if you’re looking for additional resources to help keep your puppy healthy and looking good we also have a series of buying guides to help you select the best dog ear cleaner, the best professional dog clippers, the best dog clippers for poodle hair, and our guide to finding the best Australian Shepherd dog brushes.

Article Sources

Pet News Daily uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

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The State of Animal Welfare Today. Bestfriends.org. Accessed January 9, 2022
Number of Dogs in the US 2021/2022: Statistics, Demographics, and Trends. Financesonline.com. Accessed January 12, 2022
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