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 which ranks breeds by instincts, obedience, and the ability to adapt.
Some canine attributes have been intentionally bred into breeds to make them particularly good at certain jobs – from being great guard dogs to excelling at search and rescue.
This means certain dog breeds have digging holes in their DNA – some because they were bred to dig after animals during hunts, and some just because it’s something to do when they’re bored and have excess energy.
So, here are the 12 dog breeds that like nothing more than a good dig.
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1. Basset Hound
The Basset Hound may have a reputation for being a bit dopey and lazy, but it has a built-in instinct to dig and burrow looking for prey that it sniffs out using its remarkably sensitive nose. | Getty Images
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2. Siberian Husky
If your Siberian Husky is laying waste to your lawn, it's probably not that it's after prey. Instead, these dogs tend to dig during warm weather in order to uncover cooler ground to lie on. Either that or because they are bored. | AFP via Getty Images
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3. Alaskan Malamute
Like their Siberian Husky northern cousins, the Alaskan Malamutes dig holes in warm weather to stay cool. They also dig dens in cold weather to stay warm, so unless the temperature is completely to their liking, they're probably going to dig. | Getty Images
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4. Beagle
The Beagle is a specialist in hunting rabbits and hares, chasing and following them down burrows. Even if there's no sign of a single rabbit in your garden, they'll probably still dig it up to make doubly sure. | Getty Images