Many of us have decided to welcome new puppies into our homes over the past couple of years – Kennel Club figures show dog ownership has soared nearly 8% and demand for four-legged friends after confinement remains high.
There are 221 different purebred dog breeds to choose from, as well as many crosses, so there’s a lot of thought to go into before selecting the latest addition to your family.
Our lifestyle has a huge bearing on what kind of dog is best for us – if you have limited space you might want to look at smaller dogs, while the owner of an older pet should place certain breeds at the top of his wish list.
Meanwhile, some breeds have a reputation for being shy, which means they can be timid and reluctant to participate in games with other dogs or welcome strangers into your home.
Here are the 10 most shy dog breeds according to the American Kennel Club.
Vizsla are large dogs that were bred to hunt – so it’s perhaps surprising that they can be very timid and timid if not widely socialized at a young age.
Photo: Canva/Getty Images
Butterflies are naturally shy around strangers and will tend to lie down where they feel safest when you have visitors. There is nothing to worry about and they will become more sociable when they get used to the person.
Photo: Canva/Getty Images
The Akita Inu is an unusual dog breed in that it often likes to keep its distance from its owners. They are very independent, dislike cuddles and can react with genuine fear when a stranger approaches.
Photo: Canva/Getty Images
Confident and outgoing in their own home, the Maltese is a breed that can become shy and nervous in new surroundings and situations. They can also be wary of strangers.
Photo: Canva/Getty Images
