We’re officially a nations of dog owners, with the UK’s most popular pet living in around one-in-three households (and rising).
That means that there are around three million pooches living here, with more people choosing to join the army of dog lovers every week.
Of course, if you are looking to welcome a dog into your family, there are 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.
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.
Another thing to take into consideration is that some breeds are prone to particular health issues.
One common canine disorder is hip dysplasia – when the dog’s hip ball and socket joint doesn’t fit or develop properly, causing it to rub and grind instead of sliding smoothly.
The condition results in the deterioration of the hip over time, causing pain and drastically reduce a dog’s quality of life.
Here are 13 least breeds of dog genetically predisposed to suffering hip dysplasia.
9. Pug
It's not just big dogs that get joint issues, one of the smallest breeds to be particularly susceptible to hip dysplasia is the Pug. They tend to develop the condition quite early in life. Treatments for hip dysplasia include weight reduction, exercise restriction, physical therapy, joint supplements, anti-inflammatory medications and joint fluid modifiers. | Canva/Getty Images
10. Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Breeds that grow particularly quickly are more likely to develop joint issues, including hip dysplasia - something that is the case for the the lovable and curly-haired Chesapeake Bay Retriever. | Canva/Getty Images
11. Bernese Mountain Dog
There are no prizes for guessing why the Bernese Mountain Dog often suffers from hip dysplasia - it's another breed whose huge size puts enormous strain on their joints. It's thought that around 28 per cent of Berners will develop the condition at some point in their lives. | Canva/Getty Images
12. Boxer
A medium sized breed breed that can develop hip dysplasia at any time of life is the Boxer. Dogs with the disporder can still lead long, full lives, especially with treatment. | Canva/Getty Images