The Petplan Pet Census 2018, the largest pet ownership Census to date with over 60,000 pet owners from the UK, revealed that almost half (46%) of UK pet owners say their dog is their best friend. Providing us with unrivalled insight into the lives and attitudes of the UK’s pet-owning households and their furry friends, the Census revealed one key theme: that pets are the family we choose.

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The Petplan Pet Census 2018, the largest pet ownership Census to date with over 60,000 pet owners from the UK, revealed that almost half (46%) of UK pet owners say their dog is their best friend. Providing us with unrivalled insight into the lives and attitudes of the UK’s pet-owning households and their furry friends, the Census revealed one key theme: that pets are the family we choose. The research has uncovered that dogs are becoming more important to us both as individuals and as part of the wider family, more than ever before.

Through the ages, humans have referred to dogs as their closest companions, with the term Man’s Best Friend being familiar to many. From the German Shepherd fascination in the Roaring Twenties to the recent rise in French Bulldog interest, the human-canine connection continues to grow and is evidently stronger than ever. Celebrating the special bond between humans and dogs, we have explored the reasoning behind trends of dog breeds and the differences in dog ownership over a 100-year period. Throughout the past century, dog breed popularity by decade has changed for various, fascinating reasons including the rise of cultural trends and the influence of media.

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