For many people, nothing would take the place of the family dog as a pet. Home would just not be the same without a cold, wet nose and a tail wagging in a joyous greeting when one comes through the door. Which dog is the right one to share the home with can only be answered by the individual owner. Among the many dog breeds of Britain, several stand out as favourites, such as Dalmatians, Labrador Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, Springer Spaniels and the Welsh Corgi, to name a few.

Dalmatians

Dalmatians were trained to run beside horse-drawn carriages in the 1800s. Their job was to chase away stray dogs who might scare the horses and cause them to bolt, according to the BBC. Because fire departments used them for the same purpose, they eventually became a mascot of fire departments everywhere.

Because they were bred to run for hours beside a coach, Dalmatians do not get tired quickly. They are really not outdoor dogs, however, since their short hair and sensitive skin does not handle extreme weather very well. People-friendly and active, they make wonderful pets, but need lots of exercise and attention.

Labrador Retrievers

Labradors are friendly, intelligent dogs who are active and love to retrieve almost anything, which they were bred to do. They also love swimming and being around water. They want to please, and are easy to train, but need rewards rather than harshness. They are affectionate, good with children and get along well with other dogs. They should not be left alone for long periods of time, however, as they may become destructive from boredom.

Labrador Retrievers are used as working dogs and excel as service dogs for the blind and disabled. They have diversified jobs in police work, search and rescue, and field sports. As a pet, they are wonderful, affectionate and crave lots of attention from their human companions. They also make good watch dogs.

Cocker Spaniel

First recognized as a breed in England in the 1870s, the Cocker Spaniel gets its name from hunting woodcock, for which it was bred. Presently desired as more of a pet than a hunter, Cocker Spaniels are playful, friendly and make wonderful family pets. Easy to train and very active, they need something to do at all times, and so are delighted to play with children or other dogs.

Springer Spaniels

Springer Spaniels were bred as hunting, or gun dogs, and are very active and energetic. They are very intelligent and sincerely want to please, making them easy to train. They love interaction with humans, and are great with children and other dogs. This dog does not do well in isolation, which is not good for any dog, but they need as much companionship as possible.

Welsh Corgi

The Pembroke and the Cardigan breeds of Welsh Corgis, each named for their counties of origin in Wales, were bred for centuries to herd cattle. Guarding children was another of the breed's duties, and they quickly became beloved pets. They are loyal and full of fun with an excellent temperament, making them a wonderful family pet. Of all dog breeds of Britain, the Welsh Corgi is the favourite of the monarchy.