We’re officially a nations of dog owners, with the UK’s most popular pet living in around one-in-three households (and rising).
That means that there are around three million pooches living here, with more people choosing to join the army of dog lovers every week.
Of course, if you are looking to welcome a dog into your family, there are 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, alongside numerous crossbreeds, so there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your family’s latest addition.
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.
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.
Another thing to take into account is that certain breeds are significantly more difficult to train than others – from walking to heel to toilet training.
It should be noted that every dog is an individual so there is no guarantee that any particular animal will have the traits common to its breed.
Having said that, if you pick one of these 13 breeds there’s less chance you’ll be spending hours in expensive obedience classes.
9. Doberman Pinscher
The Doberman Pinscher constantly comes in the top five of studies into the most intelligent breed of dog, but being clever doesn't necessarily mean a dog is easy to train. They are also known for the way they retain information and their obedient nature. | Canva/Getty Images
10. Havanese
Many smaller dogs can be stubbornly resilient to training - just ask any Dachshund owner - but the tiny Havanese is one of the exceptions to the rule. They are attentive and receptive to positive reinforcement meaning they should be giving you a paw in no time. | Canva/Getty Images
11. Australian Shepherd
Weirdly enough there's nothing particularly Australian about the Australian Shepherd, which was originally bred in America to herd animals. As is the case with most herding specialists, it's pretty easy to train - just make sure they have enough exercise and stimulation so they don't become frustrated and misbehave. | Canva/Getty Images
12. Golden Retriever
What is true of the Labrador Retriever also tends to be true of their shaggier cousin the Golden Retriever - and that's the case when it comes to training. Adorable and brainy, this breed is the complete package. | Canva/Getty Images