If you’ve been thinking about welcoming a new dog into your home then you’re in good company – Royal Kennel Club (the new name for the UK Kennel Club) stats show that the number of people looking for puppies has surged to record levels.
Dogs come in all shapes, colours and sizes - there are 221 different pedigree dogs recognised by breeders in the UK, from Affenpinscher to Yorkshire Terrier (there are sadly no dog breeds starting with the letter ‘z’!).
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 an easy to train dog.
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There is even scientific research to guide you, in particular psychologist Stanley Coren’s groundbreaking book The Intelligence of Dogs.
Choosing the right breed is absolutely essential – for example opting for a small dog if you don’t have much room at home, or a hypoallergenic dog if you suffer from allergies.
Of course there’s also the practicalities of affordability, with different breeds commanding very difference prices - and upkeep costs like insurance.
A study by pet insurance comparison website Pet Insurance Deals used data from Animal Friends to determine which dog breeds command the highest and lowest insurance premiums across more than 150 recognised breeds.
Here are the 10 breeds of dog that will see you paying the highest monthly insurance premiums.
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1. Flat-Coated Retrievers
The stunning Flat-Coated Retriever had the greatest insurance costs in the study, with the average monthly premium for accident and illness cover reaching £16.03. These gun dogs were first bred in England to retrieve fallen game from both land and water. | Getty Images for Westminster Ken
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2. Bernese Mountain Dog
Bernese Mountain Dogs had the second highest premiums, coming in at £15.61 per month on average. These gentle giants originate in the Bern area of Switzerland and were used to pull carts before becoming adored companion pets. | Getty Images
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3. Great Dane
Taking the final podium spot when it comes to the most expensive dogs to insure is the Great Dane - costing an average of £15.58 per month in premiums. One of the world's two largest breeds of dog (along with the Irish Wolfhound), the Great Dane is a german breed descended from dogs that were used to hunt bears, wild boar, and deer. | AFP via Getty Images
4. Entlebucher Mountain Dog
It costs an average of £15.04 per month to insure a lively Entlebucher Mountain Dog. Like the Bernese Mountain Dog, this is a type of Swiss Montain Dog that was used to herd and guard cattle in the Swiss Alps more commonly now just kept as a family pet. They are also knows as the Entlebucher Sennenhund or Entelbucher Cattle Dog. | AFP via Getty Images