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.
Meanwhile, certain breeds have particular attributes or temperaments which mean that they are less suitable for households with small children.
Here are 13 breeds of dogs best avoided by owners with young families,
9. Australian Shepherd
As the name suggests, Australian Shepherds were originally bred to herd sheep. One way they did this was to nip at the feet of the sheep, and its behaviour that they can now exhibit when young children are running around. | Canva/Getty Images
10. Akita
Akitas are great family protectors but respond badly to being prodded and teased by young children. They can also perceive a new baby to be a threat to their household. | Canva/Getty Images
11. Chihuahua
They may be small, but Chihuahuas can be fairly aggressive if their personal space is invaded and are liable to snap - a recipe for disaster for curious toddlers. | Canva/Getty Images
12. Mastiff
Most Mastiffs are real gentle giants, but their sheer size and occasional clumsiness means that they can easily accidentally knock down a toddler. | Canva/Getty Images