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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1. Labrador Retriever
We're starting with the most affectionate dog breeds and one of the most obvious candidates. The Labrador Retriever is the UK's - and the world's - most popular dog. One of the many reasons for this is that they are tremendously affectionate towards their owner (and, often, complete strangers). Even if they are not in full-on cuddle mode they'll want to be touching you, even if it's just their paw on your leg. | Canva/Getty Images
2. Shih Tzu
The first, but certainly not the last, lap dog on this list - these breeds have affection hard-wired into their DNA. The Shih Tzu was bred to keep the laps - and hands - of Chinese royalty warm. Little has changed, other than they are now equally happy to curl up with commoners. | Canva/Getty Images
3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Good luck getting time alone when you have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. They'll pad around after you adoringly, tail a-wagging, gazing up at you with those big brown eyes that just say "cuddle me" (and "feed me"). | Getty Images
4. Newfoundland
The enormous Newfoundland is known for giving its much-loved owners huge and slobbery kisses. Having one of these demonstative characters is like having a very cuddly bear around the house. | Canva/Getty Images