A huge number of us decided to add dogs to our families over the last few years – according to Kennel Club figures dog ownership has soared to record levels of late.
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.
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.
One thing to take into consideration is the size of the dog you are looking for – with tiny toy breeds ideal for people who aren’t able to take their pet out for quite as much exercise and live in smaller properties.
Here are the 10 breeds of toy dog that have received the most new registrations in according to the latest Kennel Club figures.
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1. Pug
There's no doubting the top toy dog. The Pug retains the title it has held for several years, with 6,122 registrations. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
2. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles retains second sport, with 3,772 new puppies registered in 2021 - a big jump from 2,979 the year before. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
3. Pomeranian
Named after the Pomerania region where it was first bred - encompassing parts of modern day Poland and Germany - the Pomeranian had 2,632 registrations last year, making it the third most popular toy dog. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
4. Smooth Coat Chihuahua
The world's smallest dog, there are two different types of Chihuahua. The Smooth Coat Chihuahua is the most popular, with 1,769 registrations in 2021, up from 1,508 the year before. Photo: Canva/Getty Images