Countries With the Most Dogs: Ranked

The United States has the largest pet-dog population in the world, with an estimated 80 to 90 million dogs. It is followed by Brazil, China, Russia, Japan, the Philippines, and India.

Introduction

Dogs are the most popular pet on the planet, and the countries with the most of them tend to be large, populous nations where pet ownership is common and rising. The United States leads by a wide margin, with tens of millions of pet dogs living in American homes. Big emerging economies such as Brazil and China follow, reflecting both their size and fast-growing middle classes.

This guide ranks the countries with the largest pet-dog populations and explains why the numbers can vary depending on how you count.

The Top 7 Countries by Pet-Dog Population

Ranked by estimated number of pet dogs

• United States: With an estimated 80 to 90 million pet dogs, the US has by far the largest dog population in the world. Roughly 45% of American households own at least one dog, supported by a vast pet-care industry worth tens of billions of dollars a year.
• Brazil: Brazil is home to an estimated 55 to 60 million pet dogs, one of the highest ownership rates of any large country. Dogs are hugely popular across Brazilian households, and the nation has a booming market for pet products and services.
• China: China's pet-dog population is estimated at around 50 million and growing fast. Rising incomes and urbanisation have fuelled a rapid increase in pet ownership, especially among younger city dwellers.
• Russia: Russia has an estimated 20 to 25 million pet dogs. Dog ownership is widespread, and the country has a long tradition of both companion and working breeds.
• Japan: Japan is home to roughly 10 to 12 million pet dogs. Small breeds are especially popular in Japan's dense cities, and pets are often pampered members of the family.
• Philippines: The Philippines has a large dog population estimated in the tens of millions, with dogs kept in a high share of households across the country.
• India: India's pet-dog population is growing quickly, estimated at around 30 million and rising as its urban middle class expands and pet ownership becomes more common in cities.

The United States sits firmly at the top, with a pet-dog population larger than any other nation's. Brazil and China follow, and together these three countries account for a very large share of the world's owned dogs.

Total Dogs Versus Dogs Per Household

These rankings measure the total number of pet dogs, which naturally favours large, populous countries. If you instead rank by dogs per household or per person, the picture changes. In several countries a large share of homes owns a dog even though the total population is small, so ownership rates and total counts tell different stories.

It is also worth remembering that these figures cover pet dogs only. The world also has a huge population of stray and free-roaming dogs, which are not counted here and are hard to estimate reliably. Different surveys use different methods and definitions, so the exact figures vary from source to source — but the United States consistently ranks first for owned pet dogs.

Questions and Answers

Which country has the most dogs?

The United States has the most pet dogs of any country, with an estimated 80 to 90 million. Around 45% of American households own at least one dog, giving the US the largest owned-dog population in the world.

Does China have more dogs than the United States?

No. China's pet-dog population is growing rapidly and is estimated at around 50 million, but that is still well below the 80 to 90 million pet dogs in the United States. The US remains the clear leader.

Do these numbers include stray dogs?

No. These rankings count pet or owned dogs only. Many countries also have large stray and free-roaming dog populations that are difficult to estimate and are not included, which is one reason figures differ between sources.