Plenty of us decided to welcome new four-legged friends into our homes in the last couple of years – according to Kennel Club figures dog ownership soared by nearly eight percent – and post-lockdown demand for puppies remains high.
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 worth considering before making a decision is that certain breeds of dog suit different lifestyles – particularly when it comes to size.
If you lead an active life and have a house with a garden then a large dog may be your best option, while if you are less sporty and live in an apartment a small pooch may be a better choice.So, here are the 10 largest and smallest breeds of dog.
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5. Irish Wolfhound
Irish Wolfhounds can stand up to a lofty 35 inches in height and have very low levels of aggression, making them a good dog to have around children. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
6. Chihuahua
Turning from the gentle giants to the pint-sized pups. Ranging in size from 0.9-2.7 kg, the Chihuahua is the world's tiniest breed of dog. The smallest dog in history was a Chihuahua named Miracle Milly - she was 3.8 inches tall and weighed less than 0.5 kg. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
7. Pomeranian
Tipping the scales at between 1.9-3.5 kg the Pomeranian takes third spot in our list of the world's smallest dog breeds. Poms are perfect dogs for carrying about everywhere with you. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
8. Yorkshire Terrier
Rarely weighing any more than 3.2 kg, the Yorkshire Terrier is the second smallest breed of dog. Despite their tiny size they make surpisingly effective watch dogs. Photo: Canva/Getty Images