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.
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.
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.
Another thing to take into consideration is that some breeds are prone to developing dental issues.
This can be for a number of reasons, including some breeds having overcrowded mouths, and the problems can be mitigated by cleaning your pet’s teeth regularly, avoiding sugary foods and regular vet check-ups.
Here are the 10 breeds of dog that are predisposed to developing dental problems, what to look out for, and how to treat the problem.
5. Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus are particularly prone to a condition called delayed tooth eruption. When the dog's teeth develop later than they should which can lead to dental impactions and infected cysts. Often dental surgery is the only way to treat the problem. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
6. Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terriers have a very particular combination of dental problems that can cause issues - they are genetically predisposed to have tooth decay and also often retain their baby teeth, leading to overcrowded mouths. A daily brush of the Yorkie's teeth is a good idea. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
7. Poodle
The Poodle's gorgeous fleecy coat may be adorable, but hair can get trapped in their teeth when they're cleaning. This can combine with tartar buildup to cause dental issues. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
8. Chihuahua
As a rule, the smaller the dog, the higher the risk of tooth trouble - and they don't get any smaller than the Chihuahua. All dogs have the same number of teeth (42) but when they have to fit into a tiny mouth it increases the chances of plaque bacteria building up. Photo: Canva/Getty Images