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.
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.
You might also want to consider where a dog was first bred – with many breeds native to Scotland currently on the Kennel Club’s ‘at risk’ register due to dwindling numbers.
So, here are 10 breeds of dog that have Scottish heritage.
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9. Bearded Collie
Traditionally used by Scottish shepherds to held tend their flocks, legend has it that the Bearded Collie originated when a pack of Polish Lowland Sheepdogs were abandoned on the coast of Scotland and bred with native herding dogs. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
10. Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Another breed of Highland Terrier, the Dandie Dinmont is named after a fictional character in the novel 'Guy Mannering', written by Scottish author Sir Walter Scott. Photo: Canva/Getty Images