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.
Now that so many households have a pet, more business owners are looking to offer pet-friendly services to attract the lucrative dog parent market.
This is particularly true of pubs, many of which now offer bowls of water, free treats, and even dog menus including doggy beer.
Of course, just because a pup is dog-friendly that doesn’t mean your dog is pub-friendly, with certain breeds far more likely to behave well and curl up under your table while you enjoy a drink and a meal.
The perfect pub dog doesn’t bark, is sociable and happy to accept pats from strangers, but also happy to lie next to you when not getting any attention.
Here are the 12 breeds of dog most likely to fit the bill.
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5. Poodle
Dogs don't get much more intelligent than the Poodle and they are very adaptable to new places and situations. Any nervousness on their first pub visit will soon disappear and before you know it they'll be looking forward to popping in with you. | Getty Images
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6. Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Well-trained Staffies are affectionate, people-loving dogs. Their loyalty and enthusiasm for human interaction make them popular pups with pub-goers when appropriately socialised. | Getty Images for Westminster Ken
7. Greyhounds
Greyhounds may be one of the fastest dogs on the planet, but they are also one of the laziest. If you've give your Greyhound it's daily intense exercise session and pop into the pub on the way home, it will happily curl up on a blanket and sleep until it's time to leave. | AFP via Getty Images
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8. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Certain to be a hit with fellow drinkers is the gorgeous Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - and it's a breed that tends to lap up attention. Another chilled dog, they'll take any pub visit in their stride. | Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images