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.
Different breeds of dog also tend to have very different personalities – with some more likely to lash out with nips, nibbles and even bites.
Of course any dog is capable of delivering a damaging bite, while most dogs of any breed are unlikely to do any damage unless seriously provoked, but there are certain breeds who have temperaments making them less likely to be aggressive than other.
So, here are the 13 breeds of dog that are least likely to bite.
5. Bichon Frise
A surprising number of the so-called lapdog breeds of small dog have a nipping problem, but not the Bichon Frise. The only damage they threaten to do it to cut off the circulation in your legs from cuddling up on top of you for too long. | Canva/Getty Images
6. French Bulldog
The Bulldog's smaller continental cousin is just as easygoing, if not quite as extraordinarily lazy. The French Bulldog generally doesn't have an aggressive bone in its body and, even if they can occasionally be somewhat stubbon, they are highly unlikely to snap or nip. | Canva/Getty Images
7. Golden Retriever
What's true for the Labrador Retriever tends to also be true of its close cousin the Golden Retriever - including the risk of biting. An affectionate nibble if you are having a play is the worst you tend to expect from this loving and friendly breed. | Canva/Getty Images
8. Pug
Biting simply isn't in a Pug's nature, prefering to be vocal rather than nibbling. These adorable pooches are more likely to deafen you with barking than snap. | Canva/Getty Images