In an online study, we collected information on more than 6,000 distinct fursonas, which were categorized into 852 unique species (which were subsequently organized for ease of presentation.)2
Many of the species listed were unique and, as such, cannot be presented in order to preserve the anonymity of our participants. In the figures that follow, such species are aggregated in the “other” categories for the most relevant group.
First, we present the data for all species. We then proceed with a group-by-group breakdown of popular categories. Within each category, “unspecified” means that the species was simply identified as the category (e.g., within the “wolf” category analysis, “unspecified” refers to people who just put “wolf” rather than any specific breed/type of wolf).
Please note that this category breakdown is not meant to reflect biological taxonomy or cladistics, but is instead meant to be a close approximation of how groups of similar species “clustered” together (e.g., the authors know that a wolverine and a badger are not “rodents,” but included them in with “small furry mammals” for ease of analysis).
Hybrid is #1, at over 14%. Then Wolf, also a bit over 14%. Then Fox, a bit over 10%. Then Dog, at 9%. The only other non-other canid category is “canine”, at about half a percent.
So say on the order of half of the fandom at most, if you assume Hybrid and Other are mostly canine. Maybe as low as a third.
https://furscience.com/research-findings/fursonas/3-1-species-popularity/
Hybrid is #1, at over 14%. Then Wolf, also a bit over 14%. Then Fox, a bit over 10%. Then Dog, at 9%. The only other non-other canid category is “canine”, at about half a percent.
So say on the order of half of the fandom at most, if you assume Hybrid and Other are mostly canine. Maybe as low as a third.