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.
Another thing to take into consideration is that some breeds are prone to particular health issues.
One common canine disorder is hip dysplasia – when the dog’s hip ball and socket joint doesn’t fit or develop properly, causing it to rub and grind instead of sliding smoothly.
The condition results in the deterioration of the hip over time, causing pain and drastically reduce a dog’s quality of life.
Here are 12 of the breeds of dog most prone to developing hip dysplasia.
Make sure you don't miss a moment of breaking news from across Scotland by signing up to our free newsletter here.
5. German Shepherd
As a rule of thumb, larger dogs are generally more likely to develop hip dysplasia than smaller pups - and the German Shepherd is a case in point. They are most likely to suffer from the condition later in life, at around the age of seven. | AFP via Getty Images
6. Pug
It's not just big dogs that get joint issues, one of the smallest breeds to be particularly susceptible to hip dysplasia is the Pug. They tend to develop the condition quite early in life. Treatments for hip dysplasia include weight reduction, exercise restriction, physical therapy, joint supplements, anti-inflammatory medications and joint fluid modifiers. | Getty Images for Westminster Ken
7. French Bulldog
Sadly selective breeding has made the French Bulldog susceptible to a variety of physical conditions, including hip dysplasia. Responsible breeders will do all they can to better the bloodlines of their breeds, making their puppies less likely to develop problems. | Getty Images
8. Shetland Sheepdog
In common with all the herding shepherd breeds, the Shetland Sheepdog is prone to the misalignment of joints that is the root cause of the condition. It can force these energetic animals to live a fairly sedentary life. Too much exercise can have fatal repercissions for dogs with hip dysplasia. | AFP via Getty Images