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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9. Beagle
Another dog bred to bark is the Beagle - whose ability to communicate an interesting scent proved invaluable at a fox hunt. Beagles have two distinct types of bark - one to alert you to everyday incidents and a long, loud yowl reserved for more special occasions. | Canva/Getty Images
10. Alaskan Malamute
These dogs are similar to Huskies and howl frequently, often to express their emotions or when they feel isolated. Their howling is a way to communicate over distances, like their fairly close wolf ancestors. | Canva/Getty Images
11. West Highland White Terrier
Better known as Westies, the West Highland White Terrier is a breed than just loves telling you about things - a new sound, smell or sight will all be urgently relayed to you with a series of barks. | Canva/Getty Images
12. Labrador Retriever
The UK's most popular dog breed, many people don't think of Labradors as dogs that bark alot. They get bored easily though, and if they aren't given regular exercise they can become seriously noisy. | Canva/Getty Images