The nation's dogs need you! We're calling on all dog lovers in the UK to help us take a nose-count of the nation and make the world a better place for our four-legged friends.
As dog lovers, we're all part of one big club where the membership fee is love and pats. But behind the pats is the hard graft and commitment to giving our dogs the best life possible.
That's where our National Dog Survey comes in.
This year's survey is pulling together our proud, muddy-trousered community of dog enthusiasts to share and compare experiences of canine companionship– the joys and the sacrifices. We'll use this information to continue being there for the nation's dogs in better, smarter ways.
Dogs bring joy into our lives and make each and every day better - it's what makes us love them. And because we love them, we're committed to care for them when they need us most. Learn more about how we're here for dogs in good times and in bad.
By taking this survey, you confirm you're happy to take part in our research, and understand and agree to the information here.
Thanks to you, we've learnt a lot about the nation's dogs and where our help is needed most. Here's what we've done so far:
Our surveys have shown that many owners face behaviour issues with their pooches. Sadly, these issues can sometimes lead to relinquishment. So, we created our free Behaviour Support Line to help. Since it began, we've given free advice and support to over 16,000 people and counting.
In 2023, 25% of renting owners said they were denied housing because they had a dog. We listened and campaigned for change. From 1st May 2026, the Renter's Rights Act will become law in England, meaning that landlords won't be able to unreasonably refuse a private tenant's request to have a pet.
Regional data from our surveys, detailing the distressing impact of fireworks on dogs, contributed to the successful application for a Fireworks Control Zone around Glasgow Rehoming Centre.
Thanks in part to the thousands of responses we received highlighting strong public concern around out-of-control dogs, in 2026, Dogs Trust and the RSPCA led a public consultation on a new Responsible Dog Ownership framework to set out what it means to be a responsible dog owner.