We’re a nation of dog lovers, with around one-in-three households including at least one four-legged friend.
By far the most popular pet in the UK, they make for wonderful companions, all the while improving both our mental and physical health - and that’s a scientific fact.
The army of dog owners continues to grow, with 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, alongside numerous crossbreeds.
Choosing the right breed is absolutely essential – for example opting for a small dog if you don’t have much room at home, or a hypoallergenic dog if you suffer from allergies.
There’s also always the option of adopting a dog from a dog shelter for a minimal fee - for example from the Dogs Trust.
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 new research that revealed the best 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 going to have the best night’s sleep with - and the worst.
Here’s what the resulting ‘pup all night’ scores indicated are the 18 best - and worse - canine bedfellows for a peaceful night’s sleep.
Just let those sleeping dogs lie!
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9. Poodle
The Poodle scored particularly highly for a lack of shedding hair - this hypoallergenic breed won't leave your bed matted with fur. They also come in three different sizes - toy, miniature and standard - depending on the size of your bed! | Canva/Getty Images
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10. Bernese Mountain Dog
Moving onto the dogs that should maybe stick to sleeping in their own room. Bernese Mountain Dogs are officially the worst dog breeds to have in your bed, with their large size and high shedding levels being the main reasons why. These gentle giants have a lovely temperament, known for being affectionate and loyal, but if you have one in your bed you can expect to find lots of fur between the sheets, and perhaps a touch of drool and a high chance of barking. | Canva/Getty Images
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11. Akita
Another big breed - the Japanese Akitas - came second on the list. They are also known for being big shedders but also make for tricky bedfellows due to their barking and energetic tendencies. | Canva/Getty Images
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12. Leonberger
Leonbergers, large shaggy dogs with a gentle nature, make great pets but are less than ideal to nap with and are third on the list. | Canva/Getty Images
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