If you’ve been thinking about welcoming a new dog into your home then you’re in good company – Royal Kennel Club (the new name for the UK Kennel Club) stats show that the number of people looking for puppies has surged to record levels.
Dogs come in all shapes, colours and sizes - there are 221 different pedigree dogs recognised by breeders in the UK, from Affenpinscher to Yorkshire Terrier (there are sadly no dog breeds starting with the letter ‘z’!).
So there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your family’s latest four-legged addition – whether you want a large dog, family-friendly dog, or an easy to train dog.
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There is even scientific research to guide you, in particular psychologist Stanley Coren’s groundbreaking book The Intelligence of Dogs.
Choosing the right breed is absolutely essential – for example opting for a small dog if you don’t have much room at home, or a hypoallergenic dog if you suffer from allergies.
All types of dog also have a geographical history, having a country where they were first bred and developed – before spreading across the world and being recognised by kennel clubs.
Here are 13 breeds of dog that have American heritage.
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5. Catahoula Leopard Dog
Developed in Louisiana, the worderfully-named Catahoula Leopard Dog is a striking working breed renowned for its varied coat patterns and icy blue eyes. It has traditionally been used to hunt wild hogs. It is not recognised as an established pedigree breed by the Royal Kennel Club, but is included on their Import Register. | Canva/Getty Images
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6. Boston Terrier
The more accurately-named Boston Terrier does originate from the American city of Boston. It dates back to around 1875, when city resident Robert C. Hooper stared breeding them from a dog called Judge. All modern Boston Terriers are related to Judge. | AFP via Getty Images
7. Boykin Spaniel
As yet not recognised by the UK Kennel Club, the Boykin Spaniel was developed for hunting wild turkeys and ducks in the Wateree River Swamp of South Carolina in the early 20th century. It is the state dog of South Carolina. | AFP via Getty Images
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8. Alaskan Malamute
Their forebears are thought to have arrived in North America over 12,000 years ago and are genetically close to the Siberian Husky. The modern Malamutes was first bred by the Malimiut Inupiaq people of Alaska's Norton Sound area. | Getty Images