Dogs come in all shapes and sizes - the Royal Kennel Club (formerly the UK Kennel Club) recognises 221 different pedigree dogs, from Affenpinscher to Yorkshire Terrier (there are sadly no dog breeds starting with the letter ‘z’!).
Then there are all manner of crossbreeds, from so-called ‘designer dogs’ to lovable mongrels.
Each has its own list of positive and negative attributes, and it’s important to take plenty of time to think about what breed will fit into your lifestyle the best - for instance a smaller dog if you live in a flat, or a hypoallergenic dog if the mere mention of dog hair makes you think about sneezing.
There is even scientific research to guide you, in particular psychologist Stanley Coren’s groundbreaking book The Intelligence of Dogs.
The Royal Kennel Club (formerly the UK Kennel Club) separates breeds into seven different groups, each of which have a particular set of attributes.
If you are looking for a dog that is intelligent, strong, watchful and alert, it’s worth looking at breeds in the Working Group - those that were originally bred to carry out specific tasks, from collecting fishing nets that have drifted out to sea to aiding mountain rescues.
Be warned though, many of them are pretty large so you’ll need a home with a bit of space.
The Kennel Club recently released their breed registration statistics for 2025, revealing how many of each breed of dog were registered with them over the year.
According to those figures, here are the 12 most popular working dog breeds in the UK.
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1. Boxer
Just retaining its crown as the UK's most popular working dog - by a single registration - is the adorable Boxer, with 1,959 registrations in 2025. The Boxer was bred from the Old English Bulldog and the now extinct Bullenbeisser. | AFP via Getty Images
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2. Rottweiler
Although the Rottweiler sometimes gets un anfair reputation for being aggressive, they can make for a loyal and gentle family pets - as many of the 1,958 owners who registered their dogs with the Royal Kennel Club last year no doubt know. In their native Germany they were used to herd livestock and pull butchers' carts laden with heavy meat. Now they are happier cuddled up on the couch. Maybe they'll claim top spot next year. | AFP via Getty Images
3. Dobermann
With 1,037 Kennel Club registrations in 2025, the Dobermann is the third most popular dog in the working group. Known as the Doberman Pinscher in North America, they make great guard dogs. It used to be a common practice to crop their ears - something now considered cruel by most dog lovers. | Getty Images for Westminster Ken
4. Bernese Mountain Dog
Up a spot on 2024, the mighty Bernese Mountain Dog is the fourth most popular working dog, with 615 registrations last year. They originated in the Alps and were used as general farm dogs, occasionally even pulling carts. | Getty Images