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.
One thing to take into consideration is whether a dog that barks or howls could lead to complaints from neighbours, particularly if you live in a flat or apartment.
While all dogs have the potential to bark or howl (with the expection of the Basenji) some breeds - whether by breeding or temperament - are far more likely to.
So, here are the 12 noisiest breeds of dog.
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5. Corgi
While it's true that some Corgis don't bark, it's a fairly common trait with both breeds - the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi. Their vocal nature comes from their history of being bred to herd cattle and sheep. | Canva/Getty Images
6. Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkshire Terrier, or Yorkie, is another small dog that can make a big noise. There are very few occasions that do not warrant a spirited barking notification. | Canva/Getty Images
7. Maltese
The Maltese makes a great guard dog, instantly barking when they hear an intruder. Unfortunately they often take the smallest of noises to be a threat, the merest rustle of falling leaves enough to provoke a late night volley of barks. | Canva/Getty Images
8. Siberian Husky
Full of energy, the Siberian Husky tends to bark to get attention and let you know they'd like to play a game. Get two or more of this breed together and you can expect howling as well as barking as they enjoy noisily communicating with each other. | Canva/Getty Images