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.
9. Rottweiler
Another dog designed to herd and protect, the Rottweiler sometimes gets a largely undeserved reputation for being aggressive. Most Rottweilers are very gentle dogs, but if they are not trained properly they can have a dangerous habit of lashing out in self defence when the actual threat level is small. | Canva/Getty Images
10. Cocker Spaniel
An unexpected entry in this list, the adorable Cocker Spaniel is unlikely to do any damage but owners will know that they often nip as puppies. The majority of adult dogs will grow out of the habit. | Canva/Getty Images
11. Akita
Originally from the mountains of northern Japan, the Akita was bred originally to act as both guard dogs and to hunt bears - so these are dogs that can hold their own in a fight. Fiecely protective of their family, they can lash out with a powerful bite if they perceive there to be a threat. | Canva/Getty Images
12. Pit Bull
No longer recognised by the UK Kennel Club after they were banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act, the Pit Bull is still a popular pet in the USA. The main issue with this type of dog is not only that they are slightly more likely to deliver a bite than other breeds, but that their bite is so powerful that it can do severe damage - leading to several fatalities each year. | Canva/Getty Images