A huge number of us decided to welcome new pups into our homes over the last couple of years – according to Kennel Club figures dog ownership soared over the global pandemic.
There are a whopping 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, alongside numerous crossbreeds, so there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your family’s latest addition.
There’s even academic guidance to seek out, with Psychologist Stanley Coren’s book ‘The Intelligence of Dogs’ ranking breeds by instincts, obedience, and the ability to adapt.
One thing to take into consideration is that certain breeds will suit owners with particular lifestyles – and their specific hobbies.
Athletic clothing retailer lululemon recently revealed a list of the top dog breeds and their aptitude for running, to find the best furry running partners.
They analysed a variety of metrics including the types of run they would be suited to, temperament, size, life span, friendliness, trainability, popularity and living requirements.
So, here are the 10 breeds of dog that make perfect exercise buddies.
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5. German Shepherd
German Shepherds are strong and energetic, eager to keep pace with even the most advanced of runners. These intelligent dogs require good training to ensure their safety and avoid unpredictable behaviour around strangers. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
6. Whippet
Similar to their close cousin the Greyhound, the Whippet is a natural runner - although they are better suited to longer runs. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
7. Greyhound
Greyhounds are members of the sighthound family and are one of the more obvious running dogs. They are best for faster runners - matching your speed quite easily but finding a light jog on lead a little slow. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
8. Weimaraner
For advanced runners, Weimaraners are an ideal dog breed whose medium and strong-muscled build is suited to more strenuous activity than other breeds. They need a huge amount of both exercise and mental stimulation and have an innate desire to be active for long periods of time with their owner. Photo: Canva/Getty Images