If you’ve been thinking about getting a new dog then you’re not alone – Royal Kennel Club (that’s the new name for the UK Kennel Club) figures show that the number of people looking for puppies has surged to record levels over recent years.
Dogs come in all shapes and sizes - the UK Kennel Club recognises 221 different pedigree dogs, 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’ 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.
Snoozing alongside your furry friend is many people’s idea of a perfect night’s sleep, but there are common downsides that come with sharing a bed with your dog.
From finding drool patches on your pillow, deafening snoring, and endless amounts of dog hair left between the sheets, having your pooch in the bed can sometimes not be the dream scenario you imagined.
To help those thinking of having their pup in the bed, luxury bed linen brand Secret Linen Store has published research that reveals the best - and worst -dogs to share your sheets with.
Analysing factors such as levels of drooling, shedding, barking, energy and cross-referencing that with size, the research reveals which breeds you’re unlikley to have the best night’s sleep with.
Here’s what the resulting ‘pup all night’ scores indicated are the 10 best canine bedfellows for a peaceful night’s sleep.
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1. Maltese
Taking the top spot as the best dog breed to have in your bed are Maltese pooches, with their small size and lack of shedding and drooling, are officially the perfect dogs to nap with. | AFP via Getty Images
2. Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkshire Terrier scored well in all categories, only missing out on top spot because they can be slightly too energetic for long lies on a Sunday. | AFP via Getty Images
3. Cockapoo
One of the most popular dog breeds in recent years, Cockapoos (a mixture of cocker spaniels and miniature poodles), are the equal third best dogs to have in your bed. They lose a couple of points for their relatively big size, but otherwise have all the right attributes to be a great bedfellow. | Canva/Getty Images
4. Cavachon
Tying with the Cockapoo in third place are another crossbreed - the Cavachons (a mixture of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Bichon Frise). They have fairly high energy levels but a quick walk around the block before bedtime should make sure they sleep through. | Canva/Getty Images