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 has soared.
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.
Fashions change when it comes to popularity of different types of dogs, and price comparison site www.money.co.uk recently looked at which breeds have seen their popularity surge since 1997.
The research shows how tasted have changed, with the large dog breeds favoured in 1997 overtaken by small dogs in 2012, which have remained most popular ever since.
And while gundogs like Retrievers and Spaniels remain the most popular group of dogs to own, the utility dogs such as Bulldogs and Poodles are quickly catching up – with demand increasing by a whopping 267 per cent since 1997.
Here are the 10 breeds that have grown most in popularity.
5. Dachshund
Miniature Smooth Haired Dachshunds have never been so popular, with registrations up by 882 per cent in 25 years. They were originally bred to chase and flush out badgers and other burrow-dwelling animals. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
6. Belgian Malinois
Originally bred to herd sheep in their native Belgium, the Belgian Malinois is increasingly becoming a popular pet in the UK - with registrations up 741 per cent since 1997. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
7. Australian Shepherd
Another herding dog that Brits have taken to their hearts in the last 25 years is the Australian Shepherd, with registrations up 697 per cent. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
8. Portuguese Water Dog
Barrack Obama is one of the Portuguese Water Dog's most famous fans, and the breed has seen a 680 per cent increase in popularity over the last quarter century. They were originally bred in the Algarve to help fishermen retrieve nets from the sea. Photo: Canva/Getty Images