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 significantly more difficult to train than others – from walking to heel to toilet training.
It should be noted that every dog is an individual so there is no guarantee that any particular animal will have the traits common to its breed.
Having said that, if you pick one of these 12 breeds there’s less chance you’ll be spending hours in expensive obedience classes.
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5. German Shepherd
A favourite of the police and army, the German Shepherd is one of the most useful dogs out there and picks up new things quickly. Sitting, staying and walking to heel is easy for these amazing animals who can be used for everything from sniffing out drugs to catching criminals. | Canva/Getty Images
6. Springer Spaniel
None of the breeds of spaniel are massively difficult to train, but the Springer Spaniel is probably the pick of the bunch. Bred to help hunters by 'springing' prey from vegetation, these pooches are born to learn. | Canva/Getty Images
7. Havanese
Many smaller dogs can be stubbornly resilient to training - just ask any Dachshund owner - but the tiny Havanese is one of the exceptions to the rule. They are attentive and receptive to positive reinforcement meaning they should be giving you a paw in no time. | Canva/Getty Images
8. Poodle
They may look high-maintenance, but Poodles are very eager to please and keen to learn. Not just a pretty face, these curly cutesters are as brainy as they are beautiful. | Canva/Getty Images