Danish dog registrations drop to lowest level since 2012

Fewer Danes are bringing dogs into their homes, with new registrations falling to their lowest point in over a decade, according to figures released Thursday by the Danish Animal Welfare Society (Dyreværnet).

Last year saw just 53,054 newly registered dogs—a 10% decline from 2024 and the fewest since 2012, when 63,080 dogs were recorded. The peak came in 2021, during the pandemic, with 79,122 registrations.

The society cited two likely factors behind the decline: the practical demands of dog ownership and rising costs. “A dog is a real addition to the family,” the organization stated, noting that dogs require daily care akin to that of a child. Financial pressures—including food, routine vet visits, and unexpected medical expenses—may also be deterring potential owners. While pet insurance can offset costs, it adds another recurring expense.

Dyreværnet warned against hastily rehoming dogs through private sales or online networks, a trend it described as growing. “You don’t always get what you expect,” the group cautioned, pointing to risks like undisclosed health issues or misleading buyer intentions. Instead, it urged owners to surrender unwanted dogs directly to its shelters.

Preliminary data for 2026 suggests the downward trend is continuing, with only 18,762 registrations recorded so far this year.