If you've got a dog, or you're just someone who lights up when one trots past you in the street, Dogs Trust would really like to hear from you.
What the survey covers
The charity has launched its National Dog Survey for 2026, now in its fifth year, and they're inviting pretty much everyone to take part, not just dog owners. The survey takes a snapshot of how dogs fit into life in the UK, covering everything from training and care routines to travel, housing, and how often your dog comes with you to the pub.
Why Dogs Trust runs it
Professor Robert Christley, head of research at Dogs Trust, put it well when he said that dogs are more embedded in British life than ever before, showing up as companions, family members, cafe regulars and walking buddies for millions of people across the country. The survey is how they track how that relationship keeps changing year on year.
How the results are used
Last year's survey had over 341,000 responses, which is a pretty remarkable number, and the findings actually get used. Previous results have shaped things like the charity's Behaviour Support Line, online training tools, and campaigns around pet-friendly housing including their backing for the Renters' Rights Act. During the cost-of-living crisis, survey data helped direct the distribution of more than two million pet meals to owners who were struggling.
What owners said last year
Some of the findings from 2025 were interesting too. Around 44% of owners said they were working on loose-lead walking, 40% on stopping their dog jumping up, and 35% on recall. One in five owners considered switching to cheaper dog food during the cost-of-living squeeze, and a quarter of dog owners who rent had been turned away from housing because of their pet. That last one is something a lot of people will recognise.
A bit of fun too
There's also a bit of fun in this year's survey, with Dogs Trust planning to explore the UK's favourite dog names and whether naming patterns differ by region, which honestly we're a bit curious about ourselves.
How to take part
You can find the 2026 National Dog Survey on the Dogs Trust website. It doesn't take long and the more people who fill it in, the more useful the data becomes for everyone who owns, loves or works with dogs.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice of any kind.