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’!).
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, while some dogs just want to snuggle on your lap and will pad around after you looking for constant pats, others are more likely to be more independent minded - verging on standoffish.
It doesn’t mean that either make better or worse pets, just that if you are looking for a dog that will happily cuddle for hours you should favour certain breeds over others.
Meanwhile, if you intend to leave your dog alone regularly it can be good to opt for a breed with an independent streak.
Here are the 24 most and least affectionate breeds of dog.
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5. Pug
A pug's idea of heaven being snuggled up on its owner's lap, spending hours happily being patted. The rest of the time they'll just follow you around like a shadow - leading to their nickname of the 'velcro dog'. | Getty Images for Westminster Ken
6. French Bulldog
French Bulldogs aren't fussy about where they snuggle up for their frequent naps - your bed, their bed, the couch, a pile of disguarded clothes. Their absolute favourite is on top of their owner - and they won't care if you are trying to work from home. | Canva/Getty Images
7. Golden Retriever
What's true of the Labrador Retriever tends to also hold for their close cousin the Golden Retriever, and that's certainly the case when it comes to huge reservoirs of affection. Plus, due to their longer hair they are arguably even more snuggly. | Canva/Getty Images
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8. Dachshund
Essentially a furry hot water bottle, the Dachshund is dedicated to their owner and demonstrate that by keeping in as close a proximity as possible. These long loving dogs don't always do what they're told and can be positively willful, but will always be forgiven when they snuggle up. | Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images