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.
In the book Coren ranked 130 breeds of dog in order of intelligence.
Here are the 10 breeds he found to be the most delightfully dumb.
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9. Mastiff
Many Mastiff owners will know that, while their pet will eventually do what's asked of them, they'll take their time over it. It's this ponderous nature that perhaps explains their reputation for a lack of smarts. | Getty Images for Westminster Ken
10. Basset Hound
Yet another dog bred to ignore everything else to follow a scent, it's not the Basset Hound's fault that this skill comes at an intellectual cost. They can also be incredibly difficult to house train. | AFP via Getty Images