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’!).
Then there are all manner of crossbreeds, from so-called ‘designer dogs’ like the popukar Labradoodle (half Labrador, half Poodle) to lovable mongrels.
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.
Many dogs need plenty of attention to keep their coats in good order – with daily brushing an essential and regular visits to a professional groomer important to keep them in tip-top condition and prevent them from becoming a bit stinky.
Other breeds simply have a natural smell that’s pretty much impossible to negate - we’re looking at you Labrador Retriever (although the majority of owners would say they love the distinctive Lab odour).
Meanwhile others are pretty much self-cleaning and create very little odour.
Here are the 13 cleanest breeds of dog.
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5. Vizsla
A relatively unusual breed in the UK, the Vizsla is originally from Hungaria where it is used as a hunting dog. They don't need much grooming and are known for lacking the typical 'dog smell' that many breeds have. | Getty Images
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6. Japanese Chin
Japanese Chins are naturally fastidious and sometimes seem almost obsessed with grooming themselves. Their coats are silky and have little in the way odour, although to need brushed regularly to control moulting. | AFP via Getty Images
7. Xoloitzcuintli
It may be a challenging dog name to pronounce, but the Xoloitzcuintlis has minimal hair (in the case of the hairless variety vitually none) to groom or get unwanted smells caught up in. They are naturally tidy dogs, although their skin requires occasional washing and moisturising to stay healthy. | AFP via Getty Images
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8. Smooth-haired Dachshund
Smooth-haired Dachshunds are particularly easy to keep clean thanks to their short coats and relatively low grooming requirements. They generally have little odour when healthy and properly cared for. | AFP via Getty Images