Dog ownership soared over the last two years according to the Kennel Club, with lockdown meaning people felt more able to open their home up to a new puppy.
There seems to be no letting up in the popularity of pups, as prices continue to rise as demand outstrips supply.
But with 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your perfect pooch – whether you want a large dog, family-friendly dog, or crossbreed.
The Kennel Club separates breeds into seven different groups, each of which have a particular set of attributes.
If you are looking for an intelligent and courageous dog that will naturally form a close bond with you, then it’s worth considering a breed from the Pastoral Group.
They are dogs that have been bred to herd or guard livestock so they also respond very well to training and are eager to please.
These are the 10 most popular breeds of pastoral dog in the UK, according to Kennel Club registrations.
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9. Old English Sheepdog
The instantly-recognisable shaggy Old English Sheepdog has actually gone by a few other names during its history - including the Shepherd's Dog and the Bob-Tailed Sheep-Dog. There were 227 new registrations in 2020. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
10. Samoyed
Taking its name from the Samoyedic people of Siberia, the Samoyed were originally bred to herd reindeer. There were 219 registered last year, meaning they just squeeze into tenth position in the UK's most popular pastoral breeds of dog. Photo: Canva/Getty Images