The reign of King Charles already sees a big change - Britain's favorite dog breed

The beginning of King Charles’ reign has seen a change in Britain’s most popular dog breeds

The reign of King Charles has already seen a noticeable change - favorite dog breeds
(Image credit: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Just as the public embraced Corgis during the reign of the late Queen Elizabeth II, new research indicates that King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla’s favorite dog breed is growing in popularity. Charles and Camilla’s love of Jack Russell terriers is catching on with Brits, as the registered number of dogs has jumped up year on year.


It’s a new era for subjects of the Royal Family – and that includes their four legged subjects.

New research shows that, with the beginning of the Carolean era under King Charles, the preferred dog breed for Brits is also changing.

A lover of Jack Russell terriers, the King and Queen Consort own two terriers called Bluebell and Beth, who were rescued from Battersea Cats and Dogs Home over a decade ago.

Camilla has a Jack Russell called Beth

(Image credit: Steve Parsons - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

And now, in the second quarter of 2022, the number of people registering Jack Russell terriers rose from 66 the previous year, to 113.

A spokeswoman for the Kennel Club has said, “Breeds certainly wax and wane in popularity – and there are a number of factors that can play a part, such as popular culture and high-profile ownership.”

“For instance, the Jack Russell terrier, the breed favoured by The King and The Queen Consort, has so far this year seen a 71 per cent increase in registrations compared to 2021.”

Jack Russell terriers have been popular in mainstream culture before now, too.

Jack Russell terriers have grown in popularity by 71%

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Oscar winning movies like The Artist featured a Jack Russell in a leading role, and the little dogs have appeared in classics like Katharine Hepburn’s Bringing Up Baby and Charlie Chaplin’s A Dog’s Life.

Despite a difference in breed, Charles most probably inherited his love for dogs from his late mother.

The Queen’s corgis were by her side throughout her historic reign, with the late monarch owning more than 30 over the years, many of whom were direct descendants of her first ever dog, Susan.

Susan was given to her as an 18th birthday present by her parents in 1944.

After the Queen’s death, her surviving Corgis have gone to live with her former daughter-in-law, Sarah Ferguson, who recently described the dogs as “presents that keep on giving” on her 63rd birthday.

Jack Slater
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Jack Slater is not the Last Action Hero, but that's what comes up first when you Google him. Preferring a much more sedentary life, Jack gets his thrills by covering news, entertainment, celebrity, film and culture for woman&home, and other digital publications.

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