If you’ve been thinking about getting a puppy then you’re not alone – the Kennel Club says the number of people welcoming new dogs into their homes has soared in recent years.
That means that there are around three million pooches living here, with more people choosing to join the army of dog lovers every week.
Of course, if you are looking to welcome a dog into your family, there are 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.
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.
Now that so many households have a pet, more business owners are looking to offer pet-friendly services to attract the lucrative dog parent market.
This is particularly true of pubs, many of which now offer bowls of water, free treats, and even dog menus including doggy beer.
Of course, just because a pup is dog-friendly that doesn’t mean your dog is pub-friendly, with certain breeds far more likely to behave well and curl up under your table while you enjoy a drink and a meal.
The perfect pub dog doesn’t bark, is sociable and happy to accept pats from strangers, but also happy to lie next to you when not getting any attention.
Here are the breeds of dog most likely to fit the bill.
5. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Certain to be a hit with fellow drinkers is the gorgeous Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - and it's a breed that tends to lap up attention. Another chilled dog, they'll take any pub visit in their stride. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
6. Greyhound
Greyhounds may be one of the fastest dogs on the planet, but they are also one of the laziest. If you've give your Greyhound it's daily intense exercise session and pop into the pub on the way home, it will happily curl up on a blanket asnd sleep until it's time to leave. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
7. Pekingese
No floor space in the pub? No problem if you're bringing a Pekingese. These cute characters have been bred specifically to sit in your lap napping the day away as you chat to friends over a drink. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
8. Border Terrier
Many terriers can be a bit of a handful in a busy pub environment but the Border Terrier is probabaly the calmest. They still have that endearing bouncy energy when out-and-about but tend to be pretty mellow when inside. Their diminuative size also means they're unlikely to get in the way. Photo: Canva/Getty Images