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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9. German Shepherd - 238 psi
Famously one one of the top dogs for police forces and armies, the German Shepherd can apply a bite of 238 psi if required to during service. | Canva/Getty Images
10. Boxer - 230 psi
First bred in Germany in the late 19th century from the now-extinct Bullenbeisser, the Boxer was used primarily as a hunting dog. A bit of up to 230 PSI came in handy when trying to catch wild boar and deer. | Canva/Getty Images
11. Dobermann - 229 psi
The Dobermann has a bite force for this dog is 229 psi and makes a great watch dog - although they are a breed best avoided by families with young children. | Canva/Getty Images
12. Chow Chow - 220 psi
The Chow Chow may not have a bite as powerful as the lions they resemble, but at 220 psi they are still one of the strongest in the canine world. | Canva/Getty Images