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 also scientific research to guide you, in particular psychologist Stanley Coren’s groundbreaking book The Intelligence of Dogs.
This saw every dog breed ranked according instincts, obedience, and the ability to adapt - with the combined score giving an indication of their overall intelligence, or IQ.
So, according to to him, here are the 10 dog breeds that should breeze their way into a canine Mensa - and the 10 that would struggle to graduate from puppy nursery.
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9. Mastiff
Many Mastiff owners will know that, while their pet will eventually do what's asked of them, they'll take their time over it. It's this ponderous nature that perhaps explains their reputation for a lack of smarts. | Canva/Getty Images
10. Basset Hound
Yet another dog bred to ignore everything else to follow a scent, it's not the Basset Hound's fault that this skill comes at an intellectual cost. They can also be incredibly difficult to house train. | Canva/Getty Images
11. Border Collie
Now we're moving on to the brainiest of pooches. Of the canine masterminds, the Border Collie is the undisputed top dog when it comes to intelligence. Commonly utilised to herd sheep, that's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to their sky-high doggy IQ. They can learn a huge number of words and commands, and can turn their paws to an impressive range of jobs and tasks. These are incredibly impressive animals. | Canva/Getty Images
12. Poodle
Don't let their curly hair, high-fashion looks and cute demeanor fool you - Poodles have a razor-sharp brain second only to the Border Collie. Whatever size you choose - Standard, Miniature and Toy - these furballs are hugely smart, making great service and therapy dogs. The perfect combination of brains and beauty. | Canva/Getty Images