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.
Terriers are a type of dog that are hugely popular both in the UK and worldwide, perfect for people who have active lifestyles (they need plenty of exercise).
The Royal Kennel Club recognises over 30 breeds of these canine characters – issuing Kennel Club Pedigree Certificates to pups that make the grade.
Here are all 33 – and how they got their names.
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13. Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Yet another of the Scottish terriers, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is easy to identify by their elongated body and topknot of hair on their head. The breed is named after a character in the Sir Walter Scott novel 'Guy Mannering'. | Canva/Getty Images
14. Glen of Imaal Terrier
Named after the Glen of Imaal in Ireland's County Wicklow where they were first bred, the Glen of Imaal Terrier almost died out before being revived in the early twentieth century by Irish breeders. Legend has it that these dogs were used to to turn meat over fires for cooking. | Canva/Getty Images
15. Smooth Fox Terrier
A distict breed in England since at least the 18th century, the Smooth Fox Terrier has proved particularly popular as a show dog over the years. They were originally bred to hunt foxes - hence the name. | Canva/Getty Images
16. Wire Fox Terrier
Despite the similar names, it's thought that the Wire Fox Terrier does not have a shared ancestry with the Smooth Fox Terrier. Used to chase foxes down burrows, they became popular in England after one starred in 'The Thin Man' feature films. Comic book character Tintin's dog is also a Wire Fox Terrier. | Canva/Getty Images