Soft Mouthed Dogs: These are the 10 breeds of adorable dog with the softest mouths - including the loving Labrador 🐶

If you’ve been thinking about getting a new dog then you’re not alone – Kennel Club figures show that the number of people looking for puppies has surged to record levels in recent years.

But with 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your family’s latest four-legged addition – whether you want a large dog, family-friendly dog, or crossbreed.

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.

Some dogs are also more likely to bite than others – although the vast majority of dogs of all breeds are highly unlikely to do any damage unless seriously provoked.

But there are breeds that have been specifically bred to have ‘soft mouths’, also known as bite inhibition, originally so they could retrieve birds shot by hunters without damaging the fallen prey.

When these dogs get something in their mouth they naturally don’t grip tightly or bite hard – unless they need to for emergencies.

Away from hunting parties, these dogs tend to be more gentle when playing with humans or fellow canines – even when they seem to be quite rough they don’t leave any scratches or marks.

Here are 10 breeds of dog that have soft mouths.