Dogs Trust Harefield is calling on residents across the borough to participate in the National Dog Survey 2026, which aims to understand the role dogs play in people's lives.
The survey, now in its fifth year, has gathered over 1.4 million responses since its inception and has helped shape animal welfare across the UK. This year's survey seeks to delve deeper into the commitment of dog owners and explore what their dogs mean to them.
According to last year's findings, recall reliability and companionship were top priorities for dog owners in the borough. Over half of the respondents stated that having a dog that comes back when called is "very important," closely followed by traits linked to companionship and integration into daily life. The survey also revealed that dog owners value traits such as a dog being "unfazed and well behaved enough to accompany [them] everywhere" and being affectionate.
In comparison to national figures, dog owners across the borough showed a preference for certain traits, including a dog being "happy going to the park and playing games like fetch and frisbee" and being "easy to train and quick to learn new things." On the other hand, owners were less concerned with physical appearance, with "looks" being the trait most likely to be dismissed as "not important."
The National Dog Survey 2026 is open until June 30 and takes just 15 minutes to complete.
The survey is open to all, regardless of whether residents own a dog or not and is available at www.dogstrust.org.uk/NDS
