We’re officially a nations of dog owners, with the UK’s most popular pet living in around one-in-three households (and rising).
That means that there are around three million pooches living here, with more people choosing to join the army of dog lovers every week.
There are a whopping 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, alongside numerous crossbreeds, so there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your family’s latest addition.
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.
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 have been bred specifically to cope with – or even enjoy – living in a cold climate.
These hardy breeds will think nothing of long walks in snow and sub-zero temperatures, so if you have an ourdoorsy lifestyle they are the pups that should feature high up on your canine wish list.
Here are the 10 breeds of dog that thrive in cold conditions.
9. Saint Bernard
Real gentle giants, the Saint Bernard is another breed famous for its icy escapades - this time for its prowess in rescuing skiers and walkers from the Swiss alps. They have a nickname of the 'nanny dog' because of how well they get on with small children. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
10. German Shepherd
One of the most useful dogs on the planet, there's very little the German Shepherd isn't good at. They have a thick double cold that protects them from the cold - perfect for their multiple roles as police dogs, army dogs, guard dogs, and search and rescue dogs. Photo: Photo: Canva/Getty Images