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 more likely to be aggressive than others.
Researchers in the USA carried out a survey of some of the estimated five million canine bites suffered in the country each year, separating them into types of dog.
Here are the 13 breeds of dog that they found were most likely to bite.
5. Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky is not a breed for a novice dog owner. They are intelligent and playful but can get belligerent, rowdy and destructive - particularly if they don't get the huge amount of exercise they need or if their owner doesn't fully assert their dominance. This problematic behaviour can unfortunately include biting. | Canva/Getty Images
6. Pekingese
Beloved as classic lapdog and companion dog - they were first bred as such by members of Chinese royalty - the Pekingese is very territorial and may nip if they feel crowded or threatened. If you aren't a familiar face, you probably don't want to risk picking up a Pekingese. | Canva/Getty Images
7. Chow Chow
The Chow Chow is a fiercely loyal and protective dog, meaning that there's no danger of their owner getting a bite. Issues can arrive when they think their owner is being threatened, or simply if they take against a stranger, leading to a chance of a bite. It means they should be kept under strict control all the time. | Canva/Getty Images
8. Chihuahua
When you're as tiny as a Chihuahua it's perhaps not surprising that you feel the need to stamp your authority on situations. This can result in the tiny pups being both noisy and nippy - traits that need to be dealt with early in life or they may become permanent. | Canva/Getty Images