Plenty of us decided to welcome new four-legged friends into our homes in the last couple of years – according to Kennel Club figures dog ownership soared and post-lockdown demand for puppies remains high.
There are a whopping 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.
Those with active lifestyles might want to consider a larger dog, while somebody with allergies will be looking for a hypoallergenic dog. 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.
One thing to consider before you take the plunge into dog ownership is the sort of lifestyle you lead and the activities you’d like your pet to enjoy with you. Many of us want to be able to take sizeable walks with our pups, but with some dogs the only thing long about the walk will be the amount of time it takes to travel a relatively short distance.
While the likes of Greyhounds and Labrador Retrievers are speedy animals that can run for miles, some breeds enjoy life in the slow lane, barely able to accelerate to jogging pace. Here are the 10 slowest dog breeds that are unlikely to ever become a running buddy.
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9. Newfoundland
Many of the larger, heavier breeds of dog shouldn't be encouraged to run too often as it can lead to joint issues. The Newfoundland is one such dog that is happy to plod along for long distances but should be left to travel at their own speed - particularly in warm weather. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
10. Chow Chow
The Chow Chow is so stubborn that's it's often difficult to differentiate between whether it can't go faster, or just doesn't want to go faster. In any event, this breed is not one that is mentally or physically suited for speed. Photo: Canva/Getty Images