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The latest estimates show a rapid rise in the dog population across Spain and Europe. In Europe, dog numbers have surged by nearly 200 percent over eight years, reaching 73 million dogs registered in the European Union by the end of 2022, according to calculations from the Royal Spanish Canine Society based on data from the International Federation of Cynology and the European Commission. That same year, Spain alone recorded a peak of 9.3 million dog registrations within its borders.

As a result, dogs are becoming increasingly common in Spain and across Europe, with more households owning dogs than children under fourteen in some areas, according to official statistics. In Spain, the 9.3 million dogs account for about 12 percent of Europe’s registered population, and roughly one million of them are purebred and listed in a Book of Origins.

There are about one million purebred dogs in Spain, a figure noted in recent public data and supported by image records from free-use photo repositories.

European census data show that the dog population has tripled since 2014. FCI statistics indicate approximately 24.5 million dogs in Europe, underscoring a social trend where more homes welcome dogs as pets, as reported by European news outlets.

Multinational effort

To compile these numbers, the FCI gathered statistics on thoroughbred and mixed-breed samples from 52 countries, 43 of which are European. The data include seven transnational companies in addition to two non-European firms, with participating nations including Russia, Armenia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Georgia, and Kazakhstan, and non-European participation from Israel and Uzbekistan.

There is a visible and ongoing rise in pet affection, with many households embracing dogs as companions. The most significant growth in the past eight years occurred between 2015 and 2016; dog numbers rose from 38 million to 51 million in European homes. The pandemic period from 2020 to 2021 also saw an 11 percent increase, lifting the total from 60.7 million to 67.4 million, and by 2022 the number reached 73 million.

These figures suggest a stabilization in recent years, yet official estimates still show a rapid increase during the pandemic, likely influenced by lockdowns and the rise of social platforms that encouraged pet walks and visible pet ownership in public spaces.

Note: This article relies on official statistics and industry reports to present an updated view of dog demographics across Western Europe and the Iberian Peninsula, reflecting ongoing social and cultural shifts regarding pet ownership.

For further information, inquiries should be directed to the environmental administration offices as noted in public records.