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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9. Boxer
With their athletic figure and a thirst for adventure, you'd think that water wouldn't provide much of a problem for the Boxer. Even with these dogs though, the flat face is a huge issue - keeping their head above the water is such an effort that they tire quickly, with a high risk of drowning. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
10. Pug
Another brachycephalic breed, the Pug actually quite likes splashing around in shallow water, but they can't cope with being out of their depth for long. Photo: Canva/Getty Images