Experts said the survey highlights the knowledge gap among dog owners over what is normal behaviour (Image: GETTY)Some 42 percent said pulling on the lead was an issue for puppies aged six months to one year, while 37 percent said jumping up at strangers.

Dr Elinor Karlsson of the University of Massachusetts Umass Chan medical school, a co-author of the study, said research revealed a huge diversity of behaviours within each breed.“Even if the average is different, you’ve still got a really good chance of getting a dog that doesn’t match what people say that breed is supposed to be,” she said.

But their owners can ease the grieving process by maintaining any routines dogs are used to and staying close to their surviving pets, said Dr. Federica Pirrone, a veterinary physiologist at the University of Milan and the lead author of the study published Thursday in the journal Scientific Reports.

The top 10 included Pets at Home, first direct, Saga insurance, Timpson, Skoda UK, Nissan and Greggs.

A survey of 1,000 dog owners by the charity Guide Dogs found Wham’s classic is the most beloved by canines, with 10% of the votes, followed by Jingle Bells (9%) and All I Want for Christmas is You by Mariah Carey (6%).Those who took part in the survey said their animals liked upbeat tracks, compared to quieter, slower or instrumental ones.

The Yorkshire Dales tops the list of most scenic dog walking spots in the UK (Image: Paul Harris/National Trust Images/SWNS)The survey, commissioned by OnePoll, also found that during the pandemic, 46 percent said dog-walking helped their physical and mental health, with 24 percent going on more strolls throughout the day.

Dog owners warned 65% of pets exposed to poisonous plants in own gardens (Image: GETTY) Sign up for FREE for latest news plus tips to save money and the environment.

Ms Bourne said: ‘Police forces across the country need a ‘flag’ for reports of dog theft on their systems as currently it is extremely difficult to track this crime trend and put in place an appropriate police response.

Dr Daniel Allen, an Animal Geographer at Keele University, who set up the Pet Theft Reform campaign with the Stolen and Missing Pets Alliance in 2018, said: “The number of survey responses shows the extent to which the public are concerned about dog theft crime.

The survey, by the police and crime commissioner for Sussex, Katy Bourne, had nearly 125,000 responses and she said the “huge” response showed widespread fear among dog owners about pet theft and a lack of confidence that the crime is taken seriously by police.

The survey also listed the genres people enjoy when it comes to films about cats or dogs.And what an inspiring message to aspiring film-makers: if you want to be popular, you should make a cartoon about a brown cat.

The rise in the number of obese pet cats and dogs in the UK is forcing vets to use heavy lifting equipment to avoid injury, figures show.

The data was analysed by Harvard mathematician, Dan Fortunato, who revealed that cat and dog owners do consider the breed of their pet while finalising their automobile purchase.

Flat-faced dog breeds cost twice as much in veterinary bills and average more annual vet visits than other breeds, according to an Australian survey of five years of pet insurance claims.

These very good boys and girls have helped put children in hospital at ease (Picture: PA)Therapy dogs have helped patients at a children’s hospital so much staff are calling for them to be used in wards across the country.

Custody over pets is increasingly figuring in divorce proceedings – and one in 20 pet-owning couples now reportedly have a pet-nup detailing everything from contact time to grooming parlours. Maguire provides a template to give people an idea of what a pet-nup looks like.

The survey’s findings also revealed that dog owners are more likely to be married and own homes than cat owners – both of which are factors that typically improve life satisfaction.

Study will explore dogs and their attachment to toys (Image: GETTY) Scientists are investigating if dogs form an emotional bond with their favourite toys in the same way children get comfort from blankets and teddy bears.

According to an article by Laura Petrecca and Sabrina Treitz, of USA Today , one out of five pet owners will spend money on their pets this Valentine’s Day. A total of $815 million will be spent this year on Valentine’s Day gifts for furry friends; this from a survey conducted by the National Retail Federation .

‘While there is a potential risk to pets from the ongoing swallowing of fluoride…the inclusion of the artificial sweetener xylitol in toothpastes is a more serious concern as this is much more toxic and products containing this ingredient should not be given to dogs.’