Introduction: The aim of the study was to compile data on the frequency and distribution of canine skin tumours anddetermine the risk of these being malignant as opposed to benign. This determination proceeded from tumour histogenesis andgave consideration to the dog’s breed, sex, age and the anatomical location of tumours. Material and Methods: Thisretrospective five-year epidemiological study included 3,139 canine skin tumours collected in Poland. A univariable logisticregression analysis was performed to determine the odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Microscopicanalysis showed a significant predominance of benign tumours (65.02%) as well as mesenchymal and melanocytic tumours(59.57%). The most frequently diagnosed were mast cell tumours, accounting for 13.79% of all skin tumours, and other commontumour types were lipomas (6.40%), haemangiopericytomas (5.96%) and malignant melanomas (4.65%). The risk of malignantversus benign tumours was 1.212 times higher in the female than in the male dogs. A higher risk of development of malignantepithelial tumours was found in boxers (OR 4.091), German shepherds (OR 4.085) and flat-coated retrievers (OR 43.596).A higher risk of development of malignant mesenchymal tumours was found in golden retrievers (OR 4.693), boxers (OR 2.342),bulldogs (OR 3.469) and Maltese (OR 2.757). Conclusion: The results may serve as a reference point for further studies of thecomplex biology of canine skin tumours.