If you’ve been thinking about getting a new dog then you’re not alone – Royal Kennel Club (that’s the new name for the UK Kennel Club) figures show that the number of people looking for puppies has surged to record levels over recent years.
Dogs come in all shapes and sizes - the UK Kennel Club recognises 221 different pedigree dogs, 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’ 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.
One thing to take into consideration is that some dog breeds can have a destructive streak that can see them chew everything from socks to furniture.
Sometimes it’s just because they’re young, sometimes because they are bored, sometimes it’s because they’ve not had enough exercise, and sometimes it’s simply because they want to.
There’s every chance that your pet will grow out of a chewing phase, but if you are keen to avoid tooth marks on your personal possessions, then there are certain dogs that are best avoided.
Comparison website MoneySuperMarket carried out a survey to discover which pet dogs caused the most damage per year according to owners’ insurance claims
Here are the 10 dog breeds that they found to be most destructive.
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5. Schnauzer
Schnauzers cost their owners an average of £212 in damage per year - above the national average for all dogs. | Canva/Getty Images
6. Doberman
Often used as protection dogs, athletic and energetic Dobermans can cause damage to your home, with an average cost per year of £202. | Canva/Getty Images
7. Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Though Staffies sometimes get a bad rep, when well-trained they are loving and friendly dogs. However, this doesn’t stop some from damaging owners’ homes - with an average damage cost of £192 per year. | Getty Images
8. Greyhound
These lean, athletic dogs can cause trouble in your home, with an average damage cost for owners of £192 per year. Across all breeds, around 17 per cent of owners surveyed said their sofa had been damaged by their dog. | Canva/Getty Images