More of us than ever before have welcomed a new four-legged friend into our homes in the last few years, as there has bee a record increase in demand for puppies.
There are a whopping 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, alongside numerous crossbreeds, so there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your family’s latest addition.
Our lifestyle has a huge bearing on which type of dog will work best for us – if you have limited space you might want to look at small dogs, while the more elderly pet owner should place certain breeds at the top of their wishlist.
Meanwhile, certain breeds have particular attributes which mean that they need a little extra looking after, including some dogs that are predisposed to putting on weight and becoming unhealthy.
These dogs just don’t know when they are full, so careful portion control, ensuring they aren’t able to steal food, and regular weigh-ins are key to them living long and healthy lives.
Here are the 10 greediest breeds of dog, according to the American Kennel Club.
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1. Beagle
The Beagle has been bred to have a great sense of smell in order to track animals for hunters. Today, this olfactory talent is mainly used to track down any scrap of food it can gobble up. Best make sure your bins are well-secured if you have a Beagle. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
2. Dachshund
Another breed that has been bred to track down prey - both above and below ground - the Dachshound is also a professional when it comes to begging for food. They need more exercise that their size would suggest to keep them slim and healthy. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
3. Labrador Retriever
Shameless food thieves, Lanrador Retrievers will literally eat until they are ill. They actually have a gene that prevents their brain from registering they are full - so it's not their fault they are hungry again 30 seconds after their dinner. It means that Lab owners need to constantly monitor their food intake to avoid health problems. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
4. Golden Retriever
While not quite a brazen when it comes to stealing food as the Labrador, the Golden Retriever isn't far behind. Their greed can come in handy when training - they will do anything for a treat - but their food intake otherwise needs to be strictly controlled. They also have a habit of getting so hungry that they will eat things that aren't even food - something else to look out for with this adorable breed. Photo: Canva/Getty Images