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 also scientific research to guide you, in particular psychologist Stanley Coren’s groundbreaking book The Intelligence of Dogs.
This saw every dog breed ranked according instincts, obedience, and the ability to adapt - with the combined score giving an indication of their overall intelligence, or IQ.
So, according to to him, here are the 10 dog breeds that should breeze their way into a canine Mensa - and the 10 that would struggle to graduate from puppy nursery.
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5. Borzoi
The Borzoi is a dog with a stunning coat, but a reputation of having little in the way of brains. They are also one of the cleanest breeds though, so perhaps spend so long on their own personal hygiene that they don't have much time for the daily crossword. | Canva/Getty Images
6. Bloodhound
Scenthounds like the droopy Bloodhound all appear lower down the list of intelligent breeds - largely because once they pick up a scent they find it very hard to concentrate on anything else. If you're looking to find something - or somebody - though, then this is the dog for you. | Canva/Getty Images
7. Pekingese
The Pekingese was bred as a lap dog for the Chinese Imperial Court. As luck would have it they have exactly the right amount of brains to carry out that less-than-tricky task. | Canva/Getty Images
8. Beagle
Another dog that has been bred to follow its nose - often in packs - the Beagle could more accurately be called single-minded than stupid. They are as obedient as they are clever - make sure you chose a name you like because you'll be shouting it enough. | Canva/Getty Images