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 recent years.
Around one-in-three UK households now contain at least one four-legged friend of the canine kind.
There are 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, 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 crossbreed.
No matter what type of dog you choose to welcome into your home though, you'll be hoping to form a loving and strong bond with your pup.
And, while pooches can’t say ‘I love you’ out loud, they have numerous types of behaviour to let you know.
Here are 12 things your dog does that means they love you as much as you love them.
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9. Raising their eyebrows
One of the more surprising recent canine scientific discoveries concerns dog's eyebrows. Apparently the more they wiggle them, the happier they are to be with you - similar to tails, but slightly more difficult to spot. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
10. Having a wrestle
Running at you at full speed, jumping up and trying to wrestle you to the ground may not be the most obvious show of love, but this is behaviour that is a hangover from dogs' pack days when they would play with the other canine members of their family. This behaviour just means that they love you like one of their own. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
11. They follow you around
Is it common to find your dog patiently waiting for you directly outside the door after you've visited the bathroom? This is because they see you as part of their pack - often even the leader. There's safety in numbers, so where their beloved human goes, they go. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
12. Leaning against you
Rubbing and leaning against their owners is something many people more closely associate with cats, but dogs do it too. It's a way of gaining attention and comfort from the ones they love. Photo: Canva/Getty Images