We’re a nation of dog lovers, with around one-in-three households containing a four-legged friend.
That means that there are around three million pups living in the UK, with the army of dog owners growing every year.
There are 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, alongside countless crossbreeds, so there’s no lack of choice.
According to the UK Kennel Club, the top five most popular breeds of dog in Britain last year were, in order, the Labrador Retriever, the Cocker Spaniel, the French Bulldog and the Miniature Dachshund.
But, according to new research by PetProov.com, the breeds most commonly searched for online are very different.
The Labrador barely made the top 20, which was topped by the Cane Corso, originally bred in Italy as a guard dog and not recognised by the UK Kennel Club.
With its broad head, muscular frame and protective instincts, it can be affectionate with family, but also strong-willed, energetic and challenging without experienced handling and early training - very much not a breed for inexperienced dog owners.
Here are the 10 most searched for breeds of dog.
9. Shiba Inu
Famed for their loyalty, there are around 66,000 searches for the Shiba Inu each month. It was originally used to hunt in its native Japan buit is now most commonly kept as a companion dog. | Canva/Getty Images
10. Pomeranian
Completing our list is the tiny Pomeranian, with around 66,000 monthly searches. The breed of toy dog, first bred in Central Europe, surged in popularity after becoming a favourite with royalty, including Queen Victoria. | Canva/Getty Images