If you’ve been thinking about getting a new dog then you’re not alone – Royal Kennel Club (that’s the new name for the UK Kennel Club) figures show that the number of people looking for puppies has surged to record levels over recent years.
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.
So there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your family’s latest four-legged addition – whether you want a large dog, family-friendly dog, or an easy to train dog.
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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.
Meanwhile other dogs have a tried and tested track record for rarely biting - particularly the so-called ‘soft-mouthed’ breeds.
Here are the 20 breeds of dog that are most and least likely to bite.
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9. Bernese Mountain Dog
Another gentle giant, the Bernese Mountain Dog is an intelligent breed eager to please its owners - meaning it's simple to train them out of any nibbling habit they may have as pups. | Getty Images
10. Pug
Biting simply isn't in a Pug's nature, prefering to be vocal rather than nibbling. These adorable pooches are more likely to deafen you with barking than snap. | AFP via Getty Images
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11. Dachshund
Now we're moving onto the dogs most likely to deliver a painful bite. 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). | Getty Images
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12. 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