If you’ve been thinking about getting a new dog then you’re not alone – Royal Kennel Club (that’s the new name for the UK Kennel Club) figures show that the number of people looking for puppies has surged to record levels over recent years.
Dogs come in all shapes and sizes - the UK Kennel Club recognises 221 different pedigree dogs, 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’ 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.
A factor you might like to consider is that different breeds are known for having different lifespans - although much will depend on the individual dog in question.
One of the terrible truths of dog ownership is that we are likely to outlive our adored pet, with the many (particularly larger) breed of dog rarely living for longer than eight years - but some breeds tend to have longer lives than others.
Here are 10 of the breeds of dog that have longer lifespans.
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1. Chihuahua
Perhaps surprisingly, small dogs tend to live longer than large dogs - a point proven by the Chihuahua. The tiny breed lives for an average of an impressive 15-20 years. | Getty Images
2. Jack Russell Terrier
Another small dog with a long life, the Jack Russell can also live for up to 20 years, although tend to average a lifespan closer to 16 years. | Canva/Getty Images
3. Toy Poodle
While Standard Poodles and Miniature Poodles both live relatively long lives, the Toy Poodle outdoes them both with a lifespan of up to 18 years. | Getty Images
4. Australian Cattle Dog
An Australian Cattle Dog called Bluey holds the record for the longest-lived dog - reaching an incredible 29 years of age. A dog rarely seen in UK parks, the breed normally lives for around 15 years. | Getty Images