Dogs remain among the most popular pets in Europe, but their prevalence in households varies significantly from country to country. According to the latest data from the European Pet Food Industry Federation, the highest share of households with dogs is found in Eastern Europe.
Romania tops the ranking, with nearly half of families (45%) owning at least one dog. In Poland, this figure is 43%, and in the Czech Republic, 42%. Portugal also ranks high for dog ownership, with around 40% of households welcoming four-legged friends.
Turkey is at the opposite end of the spectrum, where only 5% of families own dogs. Switzerland and Greece also have low dog ownership rates—12% and 14%, respectively. These countries round out the European ranking in terms of pet dogs.
Spain ranks tenth on the overall European list, sharing this position with Latvia. In both countries, dogs are present in about 27% of households. This means that more than a quarter of Spanish families own dogs, but in this regard, the country lags behind not only its Eastern European neighbors but also Portugal.
Experts note that the prevalence of dogs in households is influenced by cultural traditions, the level of urbanization, and lifestyle characteristics. In countries where private homes and rural areas dominate, dogs are more common than in densely populated cities. In Spain, despite a love for animals, high-density housing and the specifics of urban life limit the growth in the number of pet dogs.
Nevertheless, interest in dogs in Spain is gradually increasing. In recent years, the number of families choosing to adopt a four-legged companion has been steadily rising. This is linked to changing attitudes toward animals, improvements in infrastructure for keeping pets, and the popularization of responsible pet ownership.
Overall, European statistics show that dogs remain an important part of life for millions of families. In Spain, although the figures are more modest compared to the ranking leaders, dogs continue to win the hearts of the country’s residents.
