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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9. Vizsla
Vizslas have the perfect mix of intelligence and loyalty that means they actively enjoy being trained. Classic velcro dogs, they'll never want to leave your side - meaning recall shouldn't be an issue. | Canva/Getty Images
10. Doberman Pinscher
The Doberman Pinscher constantly comes in the top five of studies into the most intelligent breed of dog, but being clever doesn't necessarily mean a dog is easy to train. They are also known for the way they retain information and their obedient nature. | Canva/Getty Images
11. Golden Retriever
What is true of the Labrador Retriever also tends to be true of their shaggier cousin the Golden Retriever - and that's the case when it comes to training. Adorable and brainy, this breed is the complete package. | Canva/Getty Images
12. Australian Shepherd
Weirdly enough there's nothing particularly Australian about the Australian Shepherd, which was originally bred in America to herd animals. As is the case with most herding specialists, it's pretty easy to train - just make sure they have enough exercise and stimulation so they don't become frustrated and misbehave. | Canva/Getty Images