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.
Different breeds of dog also tend to have very different physical attributes and strengths, including how strong their bite is – a measure that has been studied by scientists.
Of course, this dosn’t necessarily mean that these breeds will be more likely to bite – and individual dogs will vary greatly in strength – just that you need to be extra-careful to train these dogs properly as they have the potential to cause serious harm.
So, here are the 14 breeds that research has shown to have the strongest bites, in pressure per square inch (psi). For reference the average human’s bite is around 162 psi.
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5. Dogo Canario - 540 psi
Also known as the Presa Canario, the Dogo Canaria is a Spanish breed of mastiff found mainly in the Canary Islands of Gran Canaria and Tenerife. It was used as a guard and herding dog, as well as in dog fighting before the barbaric activity was made illegal in Spain in the 1930s. It is not a breed recognised by the UK Kennel Club but has not been banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act. Prospective owners should be cautious though, as they have a fearsome bite of 540 psi. | Canva/Getty Images
6. Dogo Argentino - 500 psi
Bred to hunt big game in their native Argentina, the Dogo Argentino's 500 psi bite was used to bring down everything from wild boar to pumas. The are illegal to own in the UK under the Dangerous Dogs Act and are not recognised as a breed by the UK Kennel Club. | Canva/Getty Images
7. Leonberger - 399 psi
Another gentle giant, the Leonberger is most likely to use its 399 psi bite to chew sticks, toys - and maybe its owner's shoes. | Canva/Getty Images
8. Rottweiler - 328 psi
The Rottweiler's jaws are capable of delivering a bite of up to 328 psi. They are generally a calm and gentle breed, but are best suited to more experienced owners. | Canva/Getty Images