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.
Different breeds of dog also tend to have very different personalities – with some more likely to lash out with nips, nibbles and even bites.
While most dogs of any breed are unlikely to do any damage unless seriously provoked, there are certain breeds who have temperaments that make them less likely to lash out.
Here are the 12 breeds of dog that are least likely to bite humans.
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1. Labrador Retriever
Sticks tend to have the most to fear from the shiny white teeth of the Labrador Retriever. Renowned for their friendly and loving nature, it's massively unusual for a Lab to bite. That's one of many reasons why they are the UK's - and the world's - most popular dog breed. A natural soft mouth means even an accidental nip during play will probably not even hurt. | Canva/Getty Images
2. Bulldog
The Bulldog may look a bit grumpy with that adorable wrinkly face, but a mixture of gentleness and extreme laziness means that it's a dog whose bark is worse than its bite - and it doesn't even bark very much. Licking and drooling though? Guilty as charged. | Canva/Getty Images
3. Basset Hound
Biting takes energy, and if there is one dog that loves to preserve energy wherever possible it's the chilled Basset Hound. These dogs love to follow a scent trail, but their noses are way more active than their jaws. | Canva/Getty Images
4. Boxer
Known to be particularly good and safe around children, the Boxer is one of the most patient of all dog breeds. This is a pup that is highly unikely to ever lash out from frustration. | Canva/Getty Images