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If you’ve been thinking about welcoming a new dog into your home then you’re in good company – Royal Kennel Club (the new name for the UK Kennel Club) stats show that the number of people looking for puppies has surged to record levels.
Dogs come in all shapes, colours and sizes - there are 221 different pedigree dogs recognised by breeders in the UK, from Affenpinscher to Yorkshire Terrier (there are sadly no dog breeds starting with the letter ‘z’!).
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.
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.
Different breeds of dog also tend to have different personalities, with some falling into the group lovingly called ‘velcro dogs’.
These are the pets that just love their owners so much they want to be as close to them as they can, 24 hours a day, and live for close contact and cuddles.
They will be less than understanding of any social life that you may have, instead being keen for another night on the couch, so if you are looking for a pub you can leave alone regularly then you should maybe look elsewhere.
Here are 17 of the stickiest pups.
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1. Yorkshire Terrier
If you are getting a Yorkshire Terrier prepare to never go to the toilet alone ever again - they simply won't let you do anything by yourself. After all, if they did, something bad might happen. These dogs used to be used to catch rats, but now the only thing most of them hunt are cuddles and affection. | Getty Images
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2. Papillon
Bred to be glorified lap warmers for French royalty, Papillons are born to stick like velcro. | Canva/Getty Images
3. Pomeranian
Talking about lap dogs, the Pomeranian is probably the ultimate example. They're pretty much been bred to curl up on humans, a trait that made them much beloved of Queen Victoria. | Getty Images
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4. Pug
One of the potential issues with velcro dogs is that the deperate need to be with you can lead to seperation anxiety if they are left alone too often - sometimes leading to destructive behaviour. That's the case for the lap-loving Pug so, if you want a breed you can leave alone for a few hours, you should maybe miss this dog off the list. | Getty Images