People who are thinking about stocking up on dog toys and luxury dog beds should consider the type of breed that would best suit their lifestyle before taking the plunge.
That is according to Caroline Kisko, a spokeswoman for the Kennel Club, who revealed that the organisation recognises over 210 breeds of dog, with each having their own individual requirements.
She said: "People should look to see how much time they could give to exercise their dog, spend time with them, socialise them, how much time and energy they could commit to grooming and how much space they have in and around their homes."
Ms Kisko added that you can only decide which breed is best for you once you have worked out how much time you can give to a dog.
The expert also spoke about the importance of pet insurance, revealing that two-thirds of pets need treatment each year.
She noted that as vet bills can end up accounting for 30 per cent of the total cost of owning a dog, a "major reason" why pet insurance is very important.
