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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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13. Chihuahua
The tiny Chihuahua's ferocious love of their owner can sometimes spill over into aggression. They're not fans of being alone but, luckily enough, they are so small they can be taken most places without too much bother. | Canva/Getty Images
14. Golden Retriever
What is true of the Labrador Retriever also tends to be true of close cousins the Golden Retriever - and that's the case with their general stickiness. They will tend to be very interested in everything you are doing, and keep a close eye on how you are doing it. | Getty Images
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15. Dachshund
Ask any Dachshund owner and they'll tell you how much their pets being left alongs. These sausage dogs' favourite place is to be on their mum or dad's lap and they would very much like to join you wherever you are going. | Getty Images
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16. Boxer
Don't let their occasionally grumpy-looking faces fool you - Boxers are soft as putty and utterly adore their owners. You'll never have any problem finding them - just look down and they'll be right at your side. It's endearing, but can be an issue if you want a more independently-minded pet. | Canva/Getty Images