From holidays and careers to friendships and family traditions, new research reveals just how much dogs shape the way we live.
A countryside escape instead of a holiday abroad. An evening at home rather than dinner out. A Christmas present for someone who has absolutely no understanding of Christmas.
For many dog owners, these decisions are perfectly ordinary.
The latest Dogs Trust National Dog Survey 2026, which attracted around 180,000 respondents, offers a fascinating picture of modern dog ownership in the UK.
The findings reveal how dogs influence our travel plans, social lives, careers and relationships. They also highlight something increasingly evident across hospitality, design and lifestyle: the animals we share our homes with are becoming an important consideration in how we choose to live.
Here are 11 findings worth exploring.
1. The decisions we make around our dogs
36% have chosen a staycation over a holiday abroad
For many dog owners, planning a holiday involves considering where their dog can come along.
A countryside retreat, a coastal escape or a weekend exploring somewhere new in the UK can offer the opportunity to travel without leaving a much-loved companion behind.
Dog-friendly accommodation has become an important consideration for travellers who want to include their pets in their experiences.
And the influence doesn't end with holidays.
35% have cancelled social plans to stay home with their dog
An interesting reflection of how pets influence our everyday priorities.
Whether it's a dog who struggles with being left alone or simply the preference for a quiet evening together, social plans are sometimes made around the needs of our animals.
Nearly 15% have changed jobs or working patterns because of their dog
Perhaps one of the most revealing findings.
Dogs are influencing decisions about where, when and how people work.
Flexible schedules, working from home and daily routines can all be shaped by the responsibilities of pet ownership.
For some owners, accommodating their dog's needs has become an important part of finding the right working arrangement.
2. The social influence of dogs
85% agree that dogs play an important role in bringing people together
The familiar faces on a morning walk. Conversations with strangers in the park. Friendships formed through a shared appreciation of animals.
Dogs create opportunities for social interaction that might otherwise never happen.
The survey offers further evidence of this connection.
82% have experienced more positive interactions with strangers because of their dog
Anyone who regularly walks a dog will recognise the experience.
A passing compliment, a conversation about breeds or a familiar face encountered each morning can gradually become part of a neighbourhood's social fabric.
Dogs can provide an easy starting point for conversation, even between people who have little else in common.
The research also found that 87% of respondents agree dogs can help bridge social gaps between people from different backgrounds.
There's something particularly interesting about the role animals play in creating these everyday connections.
3. The realities of living with dogs
96% say having a dog is good for their mental health
Companionship, routine, outdoor activity and everyday moments together all form part of the experience of living with a dog.
The findings reflect owners' perceptions of the relationship between dog ownership and their wellbeing, rather than establishing a direct clinical effect.
Nevertheless, the strength of the sentiment is striking.
And while the emotional rewards of pet ownership are widely recognised, the survey also captures its responsibilities.
45% agree that owning a dog is hard work
Behind the countryside walks and afternoons on the sofa are early mornings, training, veterinary appointments and the practical demands of caring for another living being.
Responsible ownership requires time, attention and a willingness to adapt.
It's an important counterpoint to the more romantic picture of life with dogs.
The relationship may be rewarding, but it also comes with considerable responsibility.
4. When dogs become family
90% treat their dog as part of the family
For most respondents, dogs occupy a place in the household that extends well beyond traditional ideas of pet ownership.
They are included in routines, celebrations and important family decisions.
And increasingly, that relationship is reflected in the way owners describe themselves.
72% see dog ownership as a key part of their identity
Being a dog owner can influence everything from social circles and leisure activities to where someone chooses to live.
For many, it's become part of how they see themselves and the lifestyle they want to lead.
The survey also found that 32% use terms such as 'fur-baby' or 'fur-child' to describe their dogs, reflecting the increasingly familial language surrounding pets.
81% buy their dog a Christmas present
Perhaps one of the least surprising findings.
Dogs are increasingly included in the rituals and celebrations traditionally associated with human family members.
And Christmas isn't the only occasion.
74% celebrate their dog's 'gotcha day'
The anniversary of welcoming a dog into the family has become an occasion in its own right.
From small gestures to more elaborate celebrations, these traditions reflect the emotional importance many people place on their relationships with their animals.
They also offer an interesting perspective on how pet ownership is influencing wider consumer culture.
5. What does this mean for the future of pet ownership?
Taken together, the Dogs Trust findings reveal how deeply dogs are integrated into modern British life.
They influence where we travel, how we work, who we meet and how we spend our time.
For businesses operating across hospitality, travel, architecture, interiors and lifestyle, this raises an interesting question: how should the spaces, services and experiences we create respond to the growing importance of pets in people's lives?
Consider a hotel that welcomes dogs as thoughtfully as its human guests. An architect who incorporates an animal's needs into the design of a home. Or a restaurant that recognises dogs as part of the experience of dining out.
These are examples of a wider cultural shift in how people want to live alongside their animals.
The survey doesn't establish the size or growth of these commercial opportunities, but it offers compelling evidence of how much owners already organise their lives around their dogs.
At reva, we're particularly interested in this intersection of pet ownership, design, travel and everyday living.
As our relationships with animals continue to evolve, so too will the places we visit, the objects we choose and the experiences we share with them.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Dogs Trust National Dog Survey?
The National Dog Survey is an annual UK research initiative conducted by Dogs Trust, the UK's leading dog welfare and rehoming charity. It explores dog ownership, behaviour, wellbeing and the relationships between dogs and their owners.
How many people participated in the 2026 National Dog Survey?
Around 180,000 people participated in the 2026 survey, including dog owners and people who do not currently own dogs.
How do dogs influence their owners' lifestyles?
According to the Dogs Trust National Dog Survey 2026, 36% of responding owners have chosen staycations over holidays abroad because of their dog, 35% have cancelled social plans to stay home with them, and nearly 15% have changed jobs or working patterns.
What percentage of dog owners buy their dogs Christmas presents?
Among dog owners responding to the 2026 survey, 81% said they buy their dog a Christmas present.
Do dogs help people connect with others?
According to the 2026 survey, 85% of respondents agreed that dogs play an important role in bringing people together, while 82% of owners reported more positive interactions with strangers because of their dog.
Source: Dogs Trust National Dog Survey 2026 β Official Results.
Research note: The survey received around 180,000 voluntary responses. Findings describe survey participants and should not be interpreted as nationally representative estimates of all UK dog owners.