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.
Different breeds of dog also tend to have very different personalities – with some more likely to lash out with nips, nibbles and even bites.
Of course any dog is capable of delivering a damaging bite, while most dogs of any breed are unlikely to do any damage unless seriously provoked, but there are certain breeds who have temperaments making them more likely to be aggressive than others.
Researchers in the USA carried out a survey of some of the estimated five million canine bites suffered in the country each year, separating them into types of dog.
Here are the 13 of the breeds of dog that are most likely to bite.
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1. Dachshund
Even the most dedicated of Dachshund fans might be prepared to admit that these pups can be fairly 'unpredictable'. Strong-willed and delightfully naughty, the sausage dog is often a culprit when it comes to delivering a nip - it's hardly going to be life-threatening though, and they might at least pretend to be sorry (before doing it again). | AFP via Getty Images
2. Chihuahua
When you're as tiny as a Chihuahua it's perhaps not surprising that you feel the need to stamp your authority on situations. This can result in the tiny pups being both noisy and nippy - traits that need to be dealt with early in life or they may become permanent. | AFP via Getty Images
3. Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky is not a breed for a novice dog owner. They are intelligent and playful but can get belligerent, rowdy and destructive - particularly if they don't get the huge amount of exercise they need or if their owner doesn't fully assert their dominance. This problematic behaviour can unfortunately include biting. | AFP via Getty Images
4. Pekingese
Beloved as classic lapdog and companion dog - they were first bred as such by members of Chinese royalty - the Pekingese is very territorial and may nip if they feel crowded or threatened. If you aren't a familiar face, you probably don't want to risk picking up a Pekingese. | Getty Images for Westminster Ken