If you’ve been thinking about getting a new dog then you’re not alone – Kennel Club figures show that the number of people looking for puppies surged in the last couple of years.
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But with 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, 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 crossbreed.
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.
All types of dog also have a geographical history, having a country where they were first bred and developed – before spreading across the world and being recognised by kennel clubs.
Here are 10 breeds of dog that have American heritage.
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But with 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, 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 crossbreed.
![As yet not recognised by the UK Kennel Club, the Boykin Spaniel was developed for hunting wild turkeys and ducks in the Wateree River Swamp of South Carolina in the early 20th century. It is the state dog of South Carolina.](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjY1ZGUyZTBlLWIzZWUtNGY1OC05ZDU3LWY1YTQ0YzdiYzYwZDpmZjAxYWYzNy00YjY4LTQwZjItYjRlMi00ZjBlNzkwMDIyNDM=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
9. Boykin Spaniel
As yet not recognised by the UK Kennel Club, the Boykin Spaniel was developed for hunting wild turkeys and ducks in the Wateree River Swamp of South Carolina in the early 20th century. It is the state dog of South Carolina. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
![Now banned in the UK due to their perceived high levels of aggression, the American Pit Bull was bred from dogs that arrived in the USA from Britain in the late 19th century which were created from a mix of Old English Terriers and Old English Bulldogs.](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjBkOGYwZmI2LTdmODYtNDllZS1iMGY1LTQxNDE3MmU5OTJhMTo5NDliZTNiOC1iMmM0LTQxNTUtOGMzNy02ZTVmMGVkMGE1MDA=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
10. American Pit Bull
Now banned in the UK due to their perceived high levels of aggression, the American Pit Bull was bred from dogs that arrived in the USA from Britain in the late 19th century which were created from a mix of Old English Terriers and Old English Bulldogs. Photo: Canva/Getty Images