Plenty of us decided to welcome new four-legged friends into our homes in the last couple of years – according to Kennel Club figures dog ownership soared by nearly eight percent – and post-lockdown demand for puppies remains high.
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.
One thing to consider is that some dogs just don’t get on well with water due to a range of physical attributes which mean they are not designed for swimming.
Meanwhile others love the water – with some even having webbed feet to help them power through seas, lakes and rivers.
Here are the 10 breeds of dog make the best and worst swimmers.
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5. Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
A popular breed in its native Canada, the water-loving Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever has a unique ability to lure ducks into the sights of a hunter. They'll then happily jump into the lake to retrieve the doomed waterfowl. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
6. Bulldog
Moving on to the breeds of dog that would rather steer clear of water. Brachycephalic breeds, or dogs with flat faces, are particularly bad swimmers as it's almost impossible to stop water from going up their noses. That's the case with the Bulldog, who's happiest staying on land. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
7. French Bulldog
What is the case with the Bulldog is usually also the case for their smaller cousin the French Bulldog - and that's true of their swimming prowess. As well as their flat faces, their barrel-shaped bodies and relatively short legs mean they'll not be leaping into the sea soon. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
8. Basset Hound
If ever there was a dog that doesn't look like it would be aquatic it would have to be the Basset Hound. Their large head, dense bone structure and short legs all count against them. Then there's also those adorable floppy ears that look beautiful but quickly become water logged. Photo: Canva/Getty Images