We’re officially a nations of dog owners, with the UK’s most popular pet living in around one-in-three households (and rising).
That means that there are around three million pooches living here, with more people choosing to join the army of dog lovers every week.
Of course, if you are looking to welcome a dog into your family, there are 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, alongside numerous crossbreeds, so there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your family’s latest addition.
There’s even academic guidance to seek out, with Psychologist Stanley Coren’s book ‘The Intelligence of Dogs’ ranking breeds by instincts, obedience, and the ability to adapt.
Choosing the right breed is absolutely essential – for example opting for a small dog if you don’t have much room at home, or a hypoallergenic dog if you suffer from allergies.
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 less likely to be aggressive than other.
So, here are the 13 breeds of dog that are least likely to bite.
9. Whippet
Academic studies into how aggressive certain breeds of dog are regularly find that the Whippet is one of the most passive pups - and one of the laziest. They need to be vigorously exercised once a day but otherwise will be unlikely to bother lifting their head off the couch, never mind attempting to bite somebody. | Canva/Getty Images
10. 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. | Canva/Getty Images
11. Basset Hound
Biting takes energy, and if there is one dog that loves to preserve energy wherever possible it's the chilled Basset Hound. These dogs love to follow a scent trail, but their noses are way more active than their jaws. | Canva/Getty Images
12. Beagle
The Beagle is a classic example of a dog breed that isn't necessarily the most obedient of breeds but is still unlikely to bite. These mischievous hounds can be a nightmare to train, often try to escape and may get into numerous scrapes and adventures. They have an utter lack of malice though, meaning your favourite pair of shoes are at more risk than any person they meet. | Canva/Getty Images