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’!).
Then there are all manner of crossbreeds, from so-called ‘designer dogs’ like the popukar Labradoodle (half Labrador, half Poodle) to lovable mongrels.
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.
Terriers are a type of dog that are hugely popular both in the UK and worldwide, perfect for people who have active lifestyles (they need plenty of exercise).
The Royal Kennel Club recognises over 30 breeds of these canine characters – issuing Kennel Club Pedigree Certificates to pups that make the grade.
Here are all 33 – and how they got their names.
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29. Welsh Terrier
Originally used in its native Wales to hunt foxes, rodents and badgers, the Welsh Terrier is another terrier breed at risk of extinction, with as few as 300 puppies being born in a typical year. It's claimed that the Welsh Terrier is the oldest existing dog breed in the UK. | Canva/Getty Images
30. Skye Terrier
Scotland's most famous dog, the loyal Greyfriars Bobby who kept vigil at his master's grave, was a Skye Terrier. As the name would suggest, these wee dogs were first bred on the Isle of Skye, their popularity exploding after becoming associated with Queen Victoria. They are now sadly at risk of extinction in Scotland. | Canva/Getty Images
31. Yorkshire Terrier
One of the smallest terrier breeds, the Yorkshire Terrier was bred from dogs that arrived in the mid-nineteenth century when workers from Scotland came to Yorkshire in search of work and brought their dogs with them. | Canva/Getty Images
32. West Highland White Terrier
The Westie was first bred in the middle of the 19th century by Edward Donald Malcolm, the 16th Laird of Poltalloch, in Argyllshire. His aim was simply to create a white breed of the normally-dark terrier | Canva/Getty Images