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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9. Chow Chow
The Chow Chow is a fiercely loyal and protective dog, meaning that there's no danger of their owner getting a bite. Issues can arrive when they think their owner is being threatened, or simply if they take against a stranger, leading to a chance of a bite. It means they should be kept under strict control all the time. | AFP via Getty Images
10. Tosa Inu
Another breed banned in the UK, the Japanese-born Tosa Inu is a dog that was bred for fighting, with a fearsome bite. Like all dogs, they can become gentle family pets if properly trained, but it's a serious challenge to do so, and there's alway a chance that they could deliver a nasty bite if scared or anxious. | Canva/Getty Images
11. Alaskan Malamute
Similar to its close cousin the Siberian Husky, the Alaskan Malamute is a powerful working dogs with an independent streak a mile long. Without sufficient exercise, enrichment, and training, frustration or resource guarding may increase bite risk, although many are gentle with proper management. | Getty Images
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12. Akita
Originally from the mountains of northern Japan, the Akita was bred originally to act as both guard dogs and to hunt bears - so these are dogs that can hold their own in a fight. Fiecely protective of their family, they can lash out with a powerful bite if they perceive there to be a threat. | AFP via Getty Images