Dogs come in all shapes and sizes - the Royal Kennel Club (formerly 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.
One thing to consider is that some dogs have webbed feet - an attribute more commonly associated with birds and aquatic mammals.
Having thin layers of connecting tissue between the toes – commonly known as webbed feet – can help dogs in a several ways.
Most obviously, it helps them swim more efficiently, meaning many dogs bred to retrieve items from water are web-footed. The shape of the foot means that they can paddle quicker, displacing more water than otherwise would be possible, and be more controlled in their movements.
It also helps dogs dig faster, while the greater surface area created makes it easier to walk on surfaces like sand, snow and mud.
This means that web-footed pups are also prized by hunters and those looking for the perfect search and rescue dogs for all terrains.
Here are 11 of the breeds of dog that have webbed feet.
Make sure you don't miss a moment of breaking news from across Scotland by signing up to our free newsletter here.
5. Dachshund
Not exactly known for their swimming abilities, it comes as a surprise to many that their cute sausage dog has webbed feet. Originally bred for hunting, their specialised feet help the Dachshund dig really quickly to locate critters underground. | Getty Images
.jpeg?trim=0,57,0,57&crop=&width=800)
6. Chesapeake Bay Retriever
By this point in the list it's probably clear that if a dog has 'retriever' in its name then it has webbed feet. Another example is the curly haired Chesapeake Bay Retriever. | Getty Images
7. Weimaraner
Bred to be an all-terrain hunting dog, the Weimaraner's long legs and webbed feet make it comfortable running on all surfaces before confidently jumping into the water when required. | AFP via Getty Images
8. Irish Water Spaniel
As the name may suggest, there are few things the Irish Water Spaniel enjoys more than going for a dip in a river, lake or sea - aided by their webbed paws. | Canva/Getty Images