And that soaring in demand has continued, according to the latest registrations statistics from the UK Kennel Club.
With 221 breeds of dog to choose from, it’s best to do your homework before picking your perfect four-legged friend.
An incredibly rare breed, the Otterhound was, as its name suggests, used to hunt otters in Britain until the practice was outlawed in 1978. An exceptionally strong swimmer, they even have webbed feet for extra speed in the water. (Photo: Canva/Getty Images)
But if you want a pup that is equally at home in the water as on land, then there are certain dogs that should top your wish list
Here are 10 of the breeds that are born to swim, according to the American Kennel Club.
THe UK's most popular dog breed, the Labrador Retriever was bred to collect shot wildfowl that often landed in the water, so being a good swimmer was crucial. Today Labs are happy to fetch sticks and balls from water for hours on end. (Photo: Canva/Getty Images)
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Many new Poodle owners are amazed by how much their pet likes swimming. It shouldn't be a shock though, as the breed's name derives from the German word 'pudl', which means 'to splash in water'. (Photo: Canva/Getty Images)
Another breed that has webbed feet perfect for swimming, the Portuguese Water Dog was used by fishermen to herd fish into nets and collect lost equipment from the sea. (Photo: Canva/Getty Images)
The cute hair which gives the Curly-Coated Retriever its name is ideal for maintaining body temperature on long swims. Like other retrievers they were used to collect felled birds from water. (Photo: Canva/Getty Images)
An ancient breed though to be the canine from which all water dogs are descended, the Lagotto Romagnolo is now prized for its ability to sniff out precious truffles. (Photo: Canva/Getty Images)
Another Canadian breed at home on the coast, the Newfoundland has a talent for rescuing people from the water. As family pets they enjoy playing in the sea and are still potential lifesavers. (Photo: Canva/Getty Images)
Taking their name from the Duke of Gordon, who established the breed in 19th century Scotland, the Gordon Setter loves long walks and cooling dips in lochs. (Photo: Canva/Getty Images)
Chesapeake Bay Retriever, often known as 'Chessies', have an oily double-coat that retains heat and is water-resistant - perfect for long swims in cold water. They can happily spend hours in the sea, a lake or a river. (Photo: Canva/Getty Images)
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)
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