We’re officially a nations of dog owners, with the UK’s most popular pet living in around one-in-three households (and rising).
That means that there are around three million pooches living here, with more people choosing to join the army of dog lovers every week.
If you are looking to welcome a dog into your family, there are 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, alongside numerous crossbreeds, so there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your family’s latest addition.
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.
Choosing the right breed is absolutely essential – for example opting for a small dog if you don’t have much room at home.
And one thing that is crucial for us who suffer from allergies is to pick a hypoallergenic dog - to stop continual sneezing and running eyes from dog hair.
Sadly some of the most popular breeds - such as the Labrador Retriever and German Shepherd - seem to spend most of their lives shedding hair wherever they go.
But others tend to keep their fur (or lack of it) largely to themselves.
Here are 13 of the most hypoallergenic breeds of loving dog.
9. Affenpinscher
The Affenpinscher, also known as a Monkey Terrier, has fairly wirey hair that is less likely to cause problems for allergy sufferers. | Canva/Getty Images
10. Bichon Frise
The cute and mischevious Bichon Frise may look incredibly fluffy, but its curls are very low-shedding. | Canva/Getty Images
11. Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
This Irish terrier has a soft, silky coat that doesn't shed much. It's energetic, friendly, and great with kids, but regular brushing and grooming help manage potential allergens. | Canva/Getty Images
12. Basenji
The Basenji is a type of hunting dog originally from South Africa and makes a strange yodelling noise instead of barking. It also has a very short hypoallergenic coat that sheds very little and needs hardly any grooming. | Canva/Getty Images