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.
But if you want a pup that is equally at home in the water as on land, then there are certain dogs that should top your wish list.
These are the breeds that have been developed to carry out various water-based tasks, from collecting fishing nets at sea to scampering into lochs to collect felled game birds.
Even if they are now kept as family pets, the love of water is in their very DNA - some even have webbed feet to allow them to swim better.
Here are 12 breeds of dog that make the best swimmers.
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1. Irish Water Spaniel
These curly-coated dogs are expert swimmers with great stamina. Known for their buoyant build and unique 'rat tail' (which you can see clearly in this picture) they retrieve game from water effortlessly and enjoy water play year-round. | Canva/Getty Images
2. Otterhound
An incredibly rare breed, the Otterhound was, as its name suggests, used to hunt otters in Britain until the practice was outlawed in 1978. An exceptionally strong swimmer, they even have webbed feet for extra speed in the water. | Getty Images for Westminster Ken
3. Labrador Retriever
The UK's most popular dog breed, the C was bred to collect shot wildfowl that often landed in the water, so being a good swimmer was crucial. Today Labs are happy to fetch sticks and balls from water for hours on end. | Getty Images
4. Portuguese Water Dog
Another breed that has webbed feet perfect for swimming, the Portuguese Water Dog was used by fishermen to herd fish into nets and collect lost equipment from the sea. | Getty Images for Westminster Ken