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.
It’s also worth noting that some breeds of dog tend to be cheerier than others - you’d never accuse a Bloodhound or a Basset Hound of being brimming with joie de vivre and the standoffish Afghan Hound seems to see any sign of glee as being a show of weakness.
Meanwhile other breeds have naturally sunny outlooks and love showing off their big, mischievous smiles.
Here are 21 of the happiest breeds of dog.
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21. Maltese
When does happiness spill over into naughtiness? That's the line the Maltese tends to tred on most days - they can get into some tight spots due to a level of fearless belied by their small stature but mo matter what scrapes they get into, they'll always respond in good humour. It's hard to stay angry at that cheery wee face. | Getty Images