Dogs come in all shapes and sizes - the UK Kennel Club recognises 221 different pedigree dogs, from Affenpinscher to Yorkshire Terrier (there are sadly no dog breeds starting with the letter ‘z’!).
Then there are all manner of crossbreeds, from so-called ‘designer dogs’ to lovable mongrels.
Each has its own list of positive and negative attributes, and it’s important to take plenty of time to think about what breed will fit into your lifestyle the best - for instance a smaller dog if you live in a flat, or a hypoallergenic dog if the mere mention of dog hair makes you think about sneezing.
There is also scientific research to guide you, in particular psychologist Stanley Coren’s groundbreaking book The Intelligence of Dogs.
Meanwhile, how long a dog lives is partly dependent on its breed - with some far more likely to reach a grand old age than others.
Research published in the journal Scientific Reports has used the Royal Veterinary College’s Veterinary Companion Animal Surveillance System (VetCompass), a database holding information on over two million animals, to work out the average life expectance of some of the UK’s most popular breeds of dog.
Researchers took a random sample of 30,563 dogs that died over a five year period to come to their findings.
Here’s what they found to be the average lifespan of 19 of the most familiar dog breeds.
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17. Pug - 7.65 years
The adorably wrinkly Pug is cute but these dogs are prone to developing a host of health issues, giving these small pups an average life of 7.65 years. | Canva/Getty Images
18. English Bulldog - 7.39 years
Famously used as a symbol of British patriotism during World War Two, the English Bulldog is another flat-faced breed that lives a relatively short life - an average of 7.39 years. | Canva/Getty Images
19. French Bulldog - 4.53 years
The French Bulldog has seen a huge surge in popularity in recent years - challenging the Labrador for the number one spot - but they also have the shortest lifespan according to the research, averaging just 4.53 years. | Canva/Getty Images