Dogs come in all shapes and sizes - the UK Kennel Club recognises 221 different pedigree dogs, from the Affenpinscher to the Yorkshire Terrier (sadly no dog breed begins 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.
But some breeds of dog are just more popular than others, although tastes change over the years.
Polling company YouGov have been busy asking people whether they have a positive impression of numerous dog breeds and some prove much more popular than others - ranging from a healthy 80 per cent approval for the Golden Retriever to a miserly eight per cent approval rating at the bottom of the table.
They’ve also worked out which dogs are most popular with Generation X (that’s people born between the mid 1960s and the late-1970s)
And it turns out that this is a generation that has a very particular taste in canines.
Here are the 12 most popular dogs with Gen Xers, according to latest data from 2025.
Make sure you don't miss a moment of breaking news from across Scotland by signing up to our free newsletter here.
9. Irish Setter
Known for their friendly and gentle temperament, it's no wonder that the Irish Setter makes the list of Generation X's favourite dog breeds - with a 62 per cent popularity rating according to YouGov polls. The gun dog was first bred in 18th century Ireland. | Canva/Getty Images
10. Border Terrier
Two dog breeds share tenth spot, both getting thethumbs-up from 61 per cent of Gen X people polled. First up is the cheeky Border Terrier. They were first bred in the area around the border of Scotland and England (hence the name) and were used to hunt foxes. These days they more commonly hunt their owner's slippers. | Canva/Getty Images
11. English Springer Spaniel
Also earning a 61 per cent approval rating from Gen X, is the English Springer Spaniel (as opposed to the slightly different Welsh Springer Spaniel). They have a near-identical lineage to the Cocker Spaniel but were bred to be slightly larger so they would be more helpful in 'springing' game birds out of hiding. They are now often used as sniffer dogs, so you don't particularly want to catch one's attention at an airport. | Canva/Getty Images
12. Beagle
To know a Beagle is to love a Beagle - something that 60 per cent of Gen X people polled clearly understand. First bred in Britain to hunt rabbits and hares, it's not commonly kept as a beloved family pet. A talented scenthound, they can sniff out a treat at 400 yards. | Canva/Getty Images