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.
In the book Coren ranked 130 breeds of dog in order of intelligence.
Here are the 12 that came botton of the brains league.
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1. Afghan Hound
Stanley Coren concluded that the beautiful Afghan Hound is the least intelligent breed of dog. Of course this could be largely due to the fact they are also the most stubborn breed of dog - notorious for ignoring their owner's commands. Who's to say they don't understand every word though! | AFP via Getty Images
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2. Basenji
The Basenji is reputedly the world's second most stupid dog breed. Given that they are the only type of dog that don't bark, maybe we just aren't hearing all the clever things they want to say. | AFP via Getty Images
3. Bulldog
Perhaps the reason the gorgeous Bulldog appears so high on this list is that they are well known for being very lazy - preferring to curl up on the couch instead of running around being smart like a Labrador or Border Collie. | Getty Images
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4. Cow Chow
What the Cow Chow lacks in intellect is more than made up for with its loyalty - doing everything they can to protect their owner from danger. | Getty Images