Dogs come in all shapes and sizes - the UK Kennel Club recognises 221 different pedigree dogs, from Affenpinscher to Yorkshire Terrier (there are sadly no dog breeds starting with the letter ‘z’!).
Then there are all manner of crossbreeds, from so-called ‘designer dogs’ to lovable mongrels.
Each has its own list of positive and negative attributes, and it’s important to take plenty of time to think about what breed will fit into your lifestyle the best - for instance a smaller dog if you live in a flat, or a hypoallergenic dog if the mere mention of dog hair makes you think about sneezing.
There is even scientific research to guide you, in particular psychologist Stanley Coren’s groundbreaking book The Intelligence of Dogs.
One thing worth considering before making a decision is that some breeds of dog can be very useful to protect your family and home, as well as being a great pets and companions.
Meanwhile, other types of canine are just no good at being guard dogs – lacking the territorialism, courage and alertness required.
Of course there are always exceptions, but in general these are the 12 breeds of dog you shouldn’t trust to guard your house.
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1. Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers are the UK 's favourite breed of dog - partly due to their friendly disposition. This counts against them as a guard dog though, while their innate greed means that it tends to only take a couple of treats to get around them. | Canva/Getty Images
2. Bloodhound
The Bloodhound has the best sense of smell in the canine world so could happily track down a burglar. Just don't ask them to stop the crime in the first place though - they'll welcome all and sundry into their home. | Canva/Getty Images
3. Pug
Pugs are easy to train because their sole aim is to please everybody they meet - even those they really shouldn't. Their love of a quiet life means they'll avoid drama at almost any cost. | Canva/Getty Images
4. Old English Sheepdog
Unless your idea of guarding a home is licking intruders into submission, then the Old English Sheepdog just isn't up to the task. | Canva/Getty Images