Dog Owner Demographics: Facts about Pet Owners

Dog owner demographics are data that will answer questions like who adopts the most dogs.

Are male dogs or female dogs more popular this year? Do the majority of the households have dogs or cats?

In general, adopting a dog or a pet is not an easy task. There's a lot of responsibility to consider when owning a dog. Consider feeding, grooming, exercise, and vet checkups.

Moreover, pet owner demographics show that there's been a high adoption rate since the pandemic. Who can blame them? We all want some companionship during those trying times.

Not only for a companion, but pets can serve as a stress reliever for most people.

U.S. pet ownership statistics say Americans have adopted over 750,000 dogs and cats from animal shelters.

About 70% of family in America owns a pet. It might be a dog, cat, bird, or fish. But these are not just animals. They've become part of our family.

Dog Owner Demographics

1. What State adopts the most dogs?

The number one state that adopts pets in the U.S. is Wyoming, while the lowest rates of pet ownership are in Connecticut.

With 58.3%, Idaho has the highest dog ownership rate. Moreover, the lowest rate of dog ownership is in the District of Columbia at 22.5%, and also the lowest rate of cat ownership at 16.4%.

2. Pet Owner Demographics by Ethnicity

Furthermore, White households have the highest pet ownership rate at 64.7%. Hispanic Households come in second at 61.4%. And lastly, Black-African American Households have the lowest pet ownership rate with 36.9%.

3. Which Generation Adopts the Most?

Furthermore, there is also data on pet ownership based on the age group or generation they're in.

According to the 2021-2022 APPA National Pet Owners Survey, Millennials born from 1981 to 1996 had the most significant percentage of adopted pets this year.

The lowest number of pet owners per generation, born from 1928 – 1945, is the Silent Generation.

Moreover, dog demographics per generation will likely change after a decade. Boomers are aging, while Millennials will probably have kids by then.

Dog Demographics for this Year

Who is more famous, Dogs or Cats?

There are many things to consider when choosing a new family addition. Are you a dog person or a cat person?

It's a close match between the battle of dogs vs. cats. As of 2023, it is estimated that about 66% of American households have pets. 

Dogs are still popular, with 65.1 million households owning them and 45.6 million owning cats.

Moreover, people adopt more stray cats than stray dogs for homeless animals.

Male or Female Dogs?

Do people prefer to adopt male or female dogs? There's not much difference in adoption by gender. It's more of a difference in preference.

Does picking the gender of your dog matter? Their gender doesn't have to be a significant factor in choosing a dog.

Their behavior will not depend on their gender but on how their owner will raise or train them. Dogs can be affectionate or aggressive, depending on how you present them.

It all depends on the suitability of their characteristics to yours. It's about compatibility not just with you but also with your home.

In dog adoption, male dogs are more popular than female dogs. About 56% of male dogs in shelters get adopted, and about 44% are females.

Moreover, in cats, it's about equal as it gets with 50-50 percent on whether male or female. Their gender does not affect the bias of adoptions.

What is the most popular Dog Breed?

Are you having a hard time choosing what kind of dog to adopt?

Well, knowing who's the most popular breed might help. The Labrador Retriever has been among the most popular dog breeds for 31 years.

However, in 2022, French Bulldogs claimed that number-one spot, according to AKC.

Here's a quick rundown on the 2022 most popular dog breeds:

1. French Bulldog
2. Labrador Retriever
3. Golden Retriever
4. German Shepherd
5. Poodle
6. Bulldog
7. Rottweiler
8. Beagle
9. Dachshund
10. German Shorthaired Pointer

Commonly Asked Questions About Dog Owner Demographics

How Much Does The Average Pet Owner Spend Per Year?

If you're still planning to adopt a pet, consider your financial capabilities. Owning a pet dog or cat will not be cheap.

From toys, food, and vet checkups, this can be costly.

Feeding your dog (depending on size) can cost from $400 to $700 annually.

But overall, including grooming, vet checkups, and others, caring for a dog can go from $1,000 to $9,000 annually, depending on the situation.

And the same goes for taking care of cats.

Clearly, there are still plenty of things to consider when adopting these furry babies.

What does Pet Insurance Cover?

In knowing what inclusions are in pet insurance, you must consider the policies that come with it.

For example, the most basic type of dog health insurance is the Accidents-Only Plan. This kind of plan is usually the cheapest among others.

This type of insurance covers all accidents that can happen to your dog. Moreover, other types of insurance also include accidents illnesses, and wellness.

Do Pet Insurance Cover Euthanasia?

Furthermore, you might be surprised that pet insurance does not cover Euthanasia. And not just that, some exclusions can be (depending on the plan) neutering, spaying, and breeding.

What is the least popular dog breed in the world?

Even among man's best friends, there can still be favoritism.

There are just too many dog breeds to choose from!

However, these least popular dog breeds can be because of their rarity, or they haven't yet caught on as companion dogs.

Here's a quick list of the least popular dog breeds, as recorded by AKC.

1. 1. English Foxhound
   2. Norwegian Lundehund
   3. Sloughi
   4. American Foxhound
   5. Belgian Laekenois
   6. Azawakh
   7. Harrier
   8. Sussex Spaniel
   9. Cesky Terrier
   10. Pyrenean Shepherd

Pet Owner and Dog Demographics Final Thoughts

Dog owner demographics show that there's been an increase in dog and cat adoption since the beginning of the pandemic. However, adopting is a much bigger decision than you think.

Adopting a dog or a cat is like welcoming a new family member. Consider the physical, emotional, and financial aspects of adopting a new pet.

Pet ownership statistics show that about 85 million families own a pet.

According to U.S. pet owners statistics, they spend about $99 billion on pets and pet products every year. Are you one of them?

READ NEXT: The New Employee Benefit: Pet Insurance