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 surged 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.
The Kennel Club separates breeds into seven different groups, each of which have a particular set of attributes.
The Pastoral Group contains breeds that were originally bred for a specific working purpose that is no longer applicable today, along with dogs that simply do not qualify for any of the other six groups.
Pastoral dogs account for several of the most consistently popular breeds, with the French Bulldog currently vying with the Labrador Retriever for the title of Britain’s top dog.
These are the 10 most popular breeds of pastoral dog in the UK, according to Kennel Club registrations.
Read more:
5. Dalmation
The instantly-recognisable spotty Dalmation was originally used as a hunting dog and carriage dog, protecting passengers from highwaymen. There were 1,126 Dalmations registered with the Kennel Club last year. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
6. Toy Poodle
The Toy Poodle is the smallest, and most popular, of the three sizes of the breed. There were 1,664 Kennel Club registrations of these tiny and loyal dogs last year. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
7. Miniature Poodle
Only slightly less popular than the Toy Poodle is the next size up of the breed - the Miniature Poodle. There were 1,383 registrations of these athletic dogs, orginally used to retrieve shot wildfowl from water, last year. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
8. Chow Chow
Originally from Northern China, the Chow Chow is a breed with a long history - having been around for at least 2,000 years. There were 1,048 Chow Chow registrations in 2020. Photo: Canva/Getty Images