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.
Make sure you don't miss a moment of breaking news from across Scotland by signing up to our free newsletter here.
13. Pit Bull
No longer recognised by the UK Kennel Club after they were banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act, the Pit Bull is still a popular pet in the USA. The main issue with this type of dog is not only that they are slightly more likely to deliver a bite than other breeds, but that their bite is so powerful that it can do severe damage - leading to several fatalities each year. | AFP via Getty Images