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.
One thing to take into account is that certain breeds tend to be noisier than others, particularly if you have close neighbours that may a dim view of continual yapping, barking and howling.
While (with one notable exception) you can’t be absolutely certain that a dog won’t bark, these are the 12 breeds far less likely to, having what the Kennel Club call a ‘quiet’ barking level.
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9. Bernese Mountain Dog
Not only are Bernese Mountain Dogs absolutely gorgeous, they are also fiercely loyal and tend to only bark when a family member is at risk, or another good reason. | Canva/Getty Images
10. Whippet
Whippets may be super-fast and incredibly loving but they are also surprisingly lazy and make very bad guard dogs - they'd be unlikely to make a peep even if your house was being broken into. | Canva/Getty Images
11. Bulldog
Bulldogs are one of the quietest breeds out there, spending a good deal of their time napping. They are also very loving and are content in smaller homes. | Canva/Getty Images
12. Irish Setters
Irish Setters are energetic outdoors but generally not constant barkers. They prefer interaction and activity over vocalizing, typically barking only when excited or alerting their families. | Canva/Getty Images