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.
That academic work measured canine intelligence with three different metrics, one of which was “working and obedience intelligence” - in other words a dog’s ability to learn from humans and effectively and consistantly carry out commands.
Here are the 12 breeds of dog that Coren found were the most obedient - starting with the most obedient.
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1. Border Collie
Top dog when it comes to obedience is the lively Border Collie - who are also the world's most intelligent dog. They do need lots of exercise though, so are not the perfect pet for everybody. | Canva/Getty Images
2. Poodle
The second most obedient breed of dog is the Poodle - all sizes, from toy to standard. In order to be in the top tier of obedience a dog must listen to their owners' commands on the first try at least 95 per cent of the time. | Canva/Getty Images
3. German Shepherd
Claiming the bronze medal for obedience is the German Shepherd - which another of the most all-round intelligent breeds of dog. | Canva/Getty Images
4. Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are the fourth more obedient dog breed. Combine that with their loveable good nature and you have a great family pet. | Canva/Getty Images