If you’ve been thinking about getting a new dog then you’re not alone – Kennel Club figures show that the number of people looking for puppies has surged to record levels in the last few years.
But with 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, 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 crossbreed.
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.
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.
Here’s what the resulting ‘pup all night’ scores indicated are the best canine bedfellows for a peaceful night’s sleep.
5. Pomeranian
The Pomeranian is another dog on this list that can enjoy the occasional bark at night. If you can keep them quiet though, these tiny dogs are great company - and take up very little space Photo: Canva/Getty Images
6. Bulldog
A perhaps surprise entry in the list of best dogs to share a bed with is British Bulldogs. With low amounts of shedding, barking and a very relaxed temperament, according to the research these pups actually make pretty great sleeping companions – but do watch out for the drool. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
7. Schnauzer
The largest dog on this list, and coming in 10th place, is the Schnauzer. They are also quite high energy, but score very well across the other categories, shedding very little hair and being unlikely to wake you up with a bark. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
8. Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu tends to be an excellent bed buddy - having beed bred to be lapdogs in their native China. Some of these cute characters do have a tendency to bark though, so expect to be occasionally woken if they hear something outside. Photo: Canva/Getty Images