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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 personalities – with some dogs happy to get on with pretty much anybody.
Others form a particularly strong bond with their owner and family that is non-transferable and will last for life.
Here are the 12 most loyal breeds of dog,
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1. Akita
Topping the list of the most loyal dog is the Akita which are described by the American Kennel Club as being "profoundly loyal". One famous Japanese Akita, called Hachiko, continued to wait at a train station every day for 10 years after his owner's death, hoping he'd eventually return home. | Canva/Getty Images
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2. Newfoundland
Huge Newfoundlands are so loyal to younger members of a family they are nicknamed 'nanny dogs' - one appeared in Peter Pan as the dog who looked after the Darling children. | Canva/Getty Images
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3. Skye Terrier
Made famous by the story of Greyfriars Bobby, the dog who stood guard at his master's grave in Edinburgh for 14 years, the Skye Terrier is described by the American Kennel Club as beig “famously loyal and devoted". | Canva/Getty Images
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4. Beagle
Bred to hunt in packs, Beagles naturally bond with other dogs and are loyal to the pack leader - it's owner. They also develop deep relationships with children that will last for the rest of the dog's life. | Canva/Getty Images