I’m a policeman – the 10 breeds of dog most likely to be stolen from your home & it’s not good news if you have a cross
IT can be the most heartbreaking situation when a dog is stolen and it turns out some breeds are more likely to be pinched.
New data has revealed the top 10 most commonly taken breeds in London last year, and the number one may be surprising.
Mixed-breed dogs took the top spot, with 58 dogs being logged for 2022.
While you may think that pure-bred dogs would be more sought-after, breeds such as Labra-doodles, cocka-poos and Puggle have boomed in popularity in recent years.
Next up was the American Bulldog with 54 stolen dogs, indicating a concerning trend of theft for this particular breed.
With their strong and loyal nature, American Bulldogs seem to be catching the attention of thieves.
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier comes next, with 48 instances of theft, and this may not be surprising given many people see them as affectionate family dogs.
In the case of the French Bulldog, 41 stolen dogs shed light on the unfortunate demand for this breed, which is known for its adorable appearance and friendly demeanour.
With 22 stolen dogs, the Chihuahua demonstrates that even smaller breeds are not immune to theft, and their tiny size could make them appealing targets for criminals.
Both the Cocker Spaniel and Jack Russell share the same count of 14 stolen dogs.
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The Yorkshire Terrier, German Shepherd, and Pomeranian complete the table with 13 and 12 stolen dogs respectively.
In total there were 425 stolen dogs reported to the Met police in 2022.
A spokesperson from - who revealed the data after a freedom of information request, commented on the findings: “This study highlights the range of dog breeds susceptible to theft, reminding us that all kinds of dogs can be targeted.
“Whether it's a loveable mutt or a popular breed like the French Bulldog, theft is a real concern.”
Top 10 most stolen dogs
- Mixed-breed - 58 stolen - average cost £700
- American bulldog - 54 stolen - average cost £700
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier - 48 stolen - average cost £1,750
- French Bull Dog - 41 stolen - average cost £2,000
- Chihuahua - 22 stolen - average cost £600
- Cocker Spaniel - 14 stolen - average cost £1,050
- Jack Russell - 14 stolen - average cost £1,000
- Yorkshire Terrier - 13 stolen - average cost £1,600
- German Shepherd - 12 stolen - average cost £1,300
- Pomeranian - 12 stolen - average cost £3,000
