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.
Away from the world of pedigree pups, crossbreeds have become increasingly popular in recent years, with several of the so-called ‘designer dogs’ commanding high puppy prices.
With wonderful portmanteux names, great personalities, and often boasting coats that shed very little hair, they can make the perfect family pets.
Here are 13 of the most popular and adorable crossbreed dogs.
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9. Sprollie
Crossbreeds don't get much more energetic than the Sprollie - a combination of an English Springer Spaniel and a Collie that make wonderful working dogs. | Canva/Getty Images
10. Sprocker Spaniel
The Sprocker Spaniel is a mix of two spaniel breeds - the Cocker and the Springer. While they are not technically crossbreeds, because both parents are from the same family, neither are they considered pedigree as they cannot be registered with the Kennel Club. They make for loyal, intelligent and easy to train family pets. | Canva/Getty Images
11. Schnoodle
The wonderfully-named Schnoodle is a mix between the Schnauzer and the Poodle available in several sizes (depending on the size of Poodle in question). Schnoodles are intelligent and easy to train, although their distinctive coats require substantial grooming and regular maintenance. | Canva/Getty Images
12. Jackapoo
Yet another Poodle crossbreed, the Jackapoo combines the hypoallergenic favourite with a cute Jack Russell Terrier. The result is a loyal and fun dog whose appearance can vary dramatically depending on which parent it takes after. | Canva/Getty Images