2024 Top Ten Most Popular Dog Breeds | The Little Dog Laughed

Number Two

At No.2 in the Top Ten Most Popular Dog Breeds tables is where we get our first deviation from the other’s results with Border Collies and French Bulldogs listing high. For us it’s the iconic Dachshund that steels our No.2 spot.

Be a Happy Sausage with the black and tan smooth-haired Dachshund is a big favourite with our customers which is why you can find it on so many of our gift options. This design has been around for quite some time although it has had a few composition changes along the way. I am slightly regretting my current background colour choice of muted tomato red because it is proving really hard to colour match on the various gift lines. I think as long as I don’t display all the Happy Sausage gift lines together I will be able to sleep at night. Colour variation, it’s a designer’s nightmare!

Number Three

In at No.3 with an unanimous result across the board is the Cocker Spaniel but for little ‘ole us it the Rescue mix breed terriers that receive our bronze medal. We have lots of designs that are terrier focused and although my company name was actually chosen because of my final degree project on cows, I think the name, The Little Dog Laughed may have unconsciously driven the business’s cheeky, short-legged doggie design bias!

I have mixed feeling about our  Caught design, mainly because the caption isn’t one of mine. The artwork came first when I did a book project with Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. Fast forward to the internet reaching the masses, I read this popular meme in the same week I was sorting through my design archive. It was obviously milling around in my head when the lightbulb went ping. To me it really looks like Teddy the JR is whispering the advice to Joshie from the corner of his mouth and the focus of both dogs made me giggle.

About 98% of our captions are original to us which explains some of the really obscure “What on earth was I thinking when that one went to print” designs. Niche is an understatement. In fact, it took me over two decades before I finally conceded that a simple Happy Birthday might be a popular caption for anyone looking for a birthday card! We’ve been told our captions resonate with fellow dog and cat lovers who spot the same emotions, characteristics and traits in their furry ones. I think perhaps it is this originality and genuine affection for animals that has formed the bedrock of our longevity.

Number Four

Spaniels rank at No.4 for us but the other tables are split between Collies, Cockapoos and Dachshunds. Our top selling spaniel offering is actually a mix breed rescue from Cyprus and it is because of Skyla and her owner that I too ended up with a rescue dog from overseas, which is probably why this artwork holds a special place in my heart. I’ve always believed it was the caption that made this design popular but now knowing about the high-ranking spaniel love, maybe it’s an equal breed, artwork and caption split.

We do have rather a strong turnout for spaniels at The Little Dog Laughed but Springers and Sprockers feature more than Cockers so I’ll get a wiggle on and try and improve the balance.

Number Five

Now we are really going off piste in the ranks with this one. Border Terriers are super popular at The Little Dog Laughed but elsewhere it is Golden Retrievers and Border Collies snaffling the No.5 spot. The Border Terrier’s highest ranking is 10 in the other charts. Therefore, it a high five, low paws to this plucky, sturdy breed for reaching No.5 in the Top Ten Most Popular Dog Breeds In The UK – at The Little Dog Laughed!

Archie was the star of this best selling design but for years I was unable to reconnect with his owner who had submitted her photo in one of our annual calendar competitions. Eventually, over a decade later, our paths crossed when her friend said I was looking for her. The funniest thing was she had constantly told her husband that she was sure this card was their dog. He hadn’t believed her. That has to be the ultimate “I told you so” moment. But here is the best bit, Archie was still with her so I got to draw him again in his golden years.

And that concludes Part One of our

Top Ten Most Popular Dog Breeds in the UK – at The Little Dog Laughed!

If I haven’t bored you senseless then keep ’em peeled for the Most Popular Dog Breeds big reveal in Part Two.  And I’ll leave you with my current favourite because this breed doesn’t get nearly enough of the limelight. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizslas … gorgeous!