As Duke and Duchess of Cambridge also welcome a litter of one of Britain’s favourite breeds
The Jack Russell Terrier, favourite of Queen Camilla, has seen a majestic start to 2025, according to statistics released today by The Kennel Club.
Data from the dog registration body shows that the breed has enjoyed a significant surge in numbers for the first quarter of the year, with a 75% increase in puppy registrations, compared to the same period in 2024.
Reminiscent to the ‘royal’ Corgi popularity which often ebbed and flowed in line with the late Queen Elizabeth’s ownership of the breed, the Jack Russell Terrier has experienced a boom in popularity in recent years. The breed’s numbers increased 14% between 2021 and 2022, coinciding with HRH King Charles coming to the throne and, earlier this year, Queen Camilla announced another Jack Russell arrival to the royal household, Moley, joining Bluebell who has been by her side since 2011.
Another beloved British breed, the Cocker Spaniel, also looks set to have secured its place in the hearts of both the nation, and the Royal Family, after becoming the second most popular breed, according to Kennel Club figures, in 2024. The breed has continued to hold its second place spot in the first quarter of 2025, while the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s Cocker Spaniel, Orla, is reported to have recently welcomed a quartet of Cocker Spaniel puppies.
The breed has become a steadfast family favourite in the UK, remaining in the top ten most popular breeds throughout the last century. It was the nation’s top breed between 1935 – 1953, and, since 2016, has been the third most popular breed, recording its highest ever figures in 2021. In 2024, it moved up into second place, and is continuing to close the gap behind the nation’s ‘top dog’, the Labrador Retriever.
Charlotte McNamara, spokesperson for The Kennel Club said: “The Jack Russell Terrier and the Cocker Spaniel are iconic British breeds, and make wonderful companions, so it’s no wonder they have the royal seal of approval.
“Both breeds have friendly and lively personalities, making them well-suited to the busy and active lives of royalty where they are certain to meet lots of new people. It’s of course vital that any would-be owner spends a lot of time researching which dog best suits their lifestyle, and making sure they can take of their various needs. We are lucky to have such a rich diversity of different types of dogs in the UK, so we urge the public to thoroughly research, in order to find their perfect match.”
More information about the 224 pedigree breeds can be found at thekennelclub.org.uk/breeds.