The last few years have seen many of us welcome a new four-legged friend into our homes, as the Kennel Club has seen dog ownership rise to record levels.
But with 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your perfect pup.
Those with active lifestyles might want to consider a larger dog, while somebody with allergies will be looking for a hypoallergenic dog.
There’s even academic guidance to seek out, with Psychologist Stanley Coren’s book ‘The Intelligence of Dogs’ ranking breeds by instincts, obedience, and the ability to adapt.
One dog that often appears at the top of people’s canine wishlists is the Beagle – they are one of the UK’s most popular dogs and have a range of positive attributes that make them a great family pet.
Here are 10 fun and interesting facts about the breed.
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1. A long lineage
The exact origins of the Beagle are unknown but its ancestors are though to date as far back as the the 8th century with the St Hubert Hound, from which the Talbot Hound was then bred. This was in turn crossed with the Greyhound to create a faster hound in the 11th century. This was called the Southern Hound and is thought to be a forebear of the Beagle. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
2. A brave breed
In 2010 a five-year-old Beagle called Frodo won the PDSA Gold Medal for bravery (the animal George Cross) after he woke his owner and led his family to safety when smoke detectors failed to go off during a house fire. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
3. They used to be smaller
The Pocket Beagle - the precursor to the modern Beagle - was popular in 16th century England and was so called because it was small enough to fit in a pocket. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
4. An interesting tail
The Beagle's white-tipped tail is no accident - they were bred to have this feature so that hunters could easily see their dogs in long grass. Photo: Canva/Getty Images