We’re a nation of dog lovers, with around one-in-three households including at least one four-legged friend.
By far the most popular pet in the UK, they make for wonderful companions, all the while improving both our mental and physical health - and that’s a scientific fact.
The army of dog owners continues to grow, with 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, alongside numerous crossbreeds.
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.
There’s also always the option of adopting a dog from a dog shelter for a minimal fee - for example from the Dogs Trust.
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.
His fascinating research definitively ranked breeds of dog by IQ.
Here are the 26 breeds that topped the ranking - and those that came dead last (but are still adorable).
25. Lhasa Apso
An ancient breed that has been around for over a thousand years, the Lhasa Apso comes from Tibet and were used as sentinels at palaces and monasteries located high in the Himalayan mountains. Remakably they are exactly as smart as they were ten centuries ago (not very). | Canva/Getty Images
26. Chihuahua
They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but they may as well add that you can't teach a Chihuahua...anything. The smallest dogs in the world are also one of the dumbest. Perhaps that's whey they seem so angry - they just don't understand anything. | Canva/Getty Images