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.
One thing to take into consideration is that some dogs are essentially self-cleaning, needing little more than a quick rinse if they get really mucky, while others have tend to get quite fragrant if they’re not bathed regularly.
And some just smell, no matter how many baths they have (flatulence, for instance, can be an issue) – but that doesn’t make them any less adorable.
Here are the 11 stinkiest breeds of dog.
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5. Boxer
There's no delicate way to put this - the Boxer is a breed that has a major problem with flatulence. They also often suffer from food allergies, causing itchy and smelly skin infections. Being very careful about what you feed them can mitigate the situation somewhat. | Canva/Getty Images
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6. Bloodhound
The combination of a naturally oily coat and plenty of loose, folded skin means that the Bloodhound is a fairly smelly breed - regular bathing can help but will never completely get rid of the doggy odour. They are also prone to ear infections that create other ripe smells. | AFP via Getty Images
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7. Saint Bernard
The Saint Bernard's thick double coat is perfect for keeping warm in its native snowy Alpine environment, but does tend to lock in smells as well as heat. They are also prolific droolers, and the collecting slobber can also be a bit whiffy. | AFP via Getty Images
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8. Cocker Spaniel
With long droopy ears and an oily coat, the Cocker Spaniel is another pooch that requires plenty of pampering if it isn't to pong. | AFP via Getty Images