American Bulldogs, Staffordshire Bull Terriers and French Bulldogs topped the most stolen dog breeds last year.
In the year More than four times as many American Bulldogs were stolen in 2022 compared to 2021, and 610 percent more Staffordshire Bull Terriers were stolen.
The study, from Live pet insuranceThe French Bulldogs also saw a 31 percent increase in steals.
However, overall, dog thefts in 2022 were lower than in 2021, with a 22 percent decrease.
These were the dog breeds most prone to theft last year.
- American Bulldog
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- French Bulldog
- Jack Russell
- Chihuahua
- English Bulldog
- Cocker spaniel
- German shepherd
- Yorkshire Terrier
- Husky
Beverley Cuddy, editor of Dog Today magazine, said: “While the number of reported dog thefts is falling to pre-pandemic levels, the reality is that a significant number of cases are still going unreported.
“Combined with the increase in people using dog walkers, more dogs can be stolen at once.
“When this happens, only one crime reference number is assigned, so we believe the scale of the problem could be very large.”
Madeleine Pike, veterinary nurse for Direct Line Pet Insurance, added: “We continue to be a nation of dog lovers. With more than a third of UK households owning a dog, the likelihood of six dogs being stolen every day by 2022 is high.
“Although the number of stolen dogs is decreasing, the number of pets in animal shelters is increasing significantly.
“This could be a sign that households are struggling with the cost of living or that they are unable to give their pets the attention they need due to a change in work.
“Taking precautions such as not leaving your dog on a leash outside a store, in an empty vehicle or on a lead in busy areas will reduce the risk of being attacked by thieves.”
“It’s also important to make sure your dog is microchipped and your contact details are up to date. This will help identify your dog if it goes missing.