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.
A factor you might like to consider is that different breeds are known for having different lifespans - although much will depend on the individual dog in question.
One of the terrible truths of dog ownership is that we are likely to outlive our adored pet, with the many (particularly larger) breed of dog rarely living for longer than eight years - but some breeds tend to have longer lives than others.
Here are 12 of the breeds of dog that have longer lifespans.
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5. Yorkshire Terrier
The tiny Yorkshire Terrier tends to live for between 14 to 17 years, significantly longer than their larger terrier cousins. | AFP via Getty Images
6. Lhasa Apso
Originally hailing from Tibet, the Lhasa Apso tends to live for around 14 years, but they are another breed that have been known to reach the double decade. | Getty Images for Westminster Ken
7. Bichon Frise
It's not unusual for the cloud-like Bichon Frise to live for 14 years. | AFP via Getty Images
8. Dachshund
Both the smooth haired and long haired varieties of Dachshund live for between 12-17 years - with one record-breaker called Chanel reaching the age of 21. | AFP via Getty Images