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.
There’s also always the option of adopting a dog from a dog shelter for a minimal fee - for example from the Dogs Trust.
But if you are wanting a pedigree dog (one that’s a pure bred registered with the Royal Kennel Club) then you’re going to have to splash out - research from the pet experts at Pets4Homes shows that the average puppy in the UK now costs around £2,000 – more than double the average price in 2019.
Some breeds, due to demand or scarcity, cost significantly more than others - you can expect to pay a wallet-busting £10,000 for a Tibetan Mastiff.
However other puppies require a far smaller budget.
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1. Jack Russell Terrier
The cheeky and loving Jack Russell is probably the cheapest breed of puppy to buy at the moment - costing around £700-£1000. | Canva/Getty Images

2. Patterdale Terrier
Another terrier takes second spot for most affordable pups. The low maintenance Patterdale Terrier tends to cost around £900-£1,100. | Canva/Getty Images
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3. Border Collie
The Border Collie is the world's most intelligent dogs and one of the cheapest - costing around £900-£1,100. | AFP via Getty Images
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4. Yorkshire Terrier
Expect a cute Yorkshire Terrier pup to set you back £950-£1,100. | Getty Images

