If you’ve been thinking about getting a new dog then you’re not alone – Royal Kennel Club (that’s the new name for the UK Kennel Club) figures show that the number of people looking for puppies has surged to record levels over recent years.
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.
So there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your family’s latest four-legged addition – whether you want a large dog, family-friendly dog, or an easy to train dog.
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There is even scientific research to guide you, in particular psychologist Stanley Coren’s groundbreaking book The Intelligence of Dogs.
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.
Meanwhile other dogs have a tried and tested track record for rarely biting - particularly the so-called ‘soft-mouthed’ breeds.
Here are the 20 breeds of dog that are most and least likely to bite.
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17. Alaskan Malamute
Similar to its close cousin the Siberian Husky, the Alaskan Malamute is a powerful working dogs with an independent streak a mile long. Without sufficient exercise, enrichment, and training, frustration or resource guarding may increase bite risk, although many are gentle with proper management. | AFP via Getty Images
18. German Shepherd
The German Shepherd is one of the world's most useful dogs - being used as everything from guard dogs to drug detection dogs by police forces and armies around the world. One of the attributes that makes them good at these tasks is that they are willing to bite if required - for instance to stop a criminal. Inevitably a dog will occasionally make a mistake and bite someone in a way that is not acceptable. | Canva/Getty Images
19. 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
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20. 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. | AFP via Getty Images