The last 18 months have seen many of us welcome a new four-legged friend into our homes, as the Kennel Club saw dog ownership rise by nearly eight per cent over 2020.
But with 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your perfect pup.
Here are 12 of the most popular breeds of dog that love the water and seaside, according to the American Kennel Club.
9. Standard Poodle
A breed renowned for its runway model looks, but this breed is intelligent and athletic and loves to swim - having been used in France to retrieve waterfowl. Photo: Cindy Ord
10. Portuguese Water Dog
An intelligent breed of dog, this web-footed breed was used to 'herd' fish into the nets, as well as to swim out and retrieve broken nets and lost equipment. Photo: Mandel Ngan
11. Golden Retriever
Whether they are black, golden, or chocolate, Retrievers are excellent swimmers and are often used in water rescues. Photo: Scott Barbour
12. Spanish Water Dog
An athletic and sturdy breed, the Spanish Water Dog is an excellent swimmer and was used to hunt on both land and water. Photo: Jamie McCarthy