Jack Russell is Belgium's most popular dog breed

The introduction in 1998 of an obligatory Dog ID in Belgium has made it easier to gain an overview of the country's dog population. The database for the identification and registration of dogs in Belgium reveals not only the most popular breeds, but the most popular names, as well.

In the Brussels-Capital Region, for example, the majority of dogs answer to the name Oscar or Lola, writes Brusselnieuws. There are currently 96,259 registered dogs in the region. The most popular names for a male dog are Oscar, Jack and Max, while female dogs in Brussels are most often called Lola, Luna or Nala.

The most popular dog breed in Brussels, and in all of Belgium, is the Jack Russell Terrier. The Border Collie is also common, and there has been a significant increase in the number of Chihuahuas in recent years.

Brussels state secretary for animal welfare Bianca Debaets announced the figures with an aim to draw attention to the problem of neglect, especially during holiday periods when many dog owners leave their pets behind unattended. Debaets therefore plans to launch an awareness campaign before the start of the summer holiday season.