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.
One thing you should consider is that some breeds are more likely to be aggressive than others.
Before they were domesticated, dogs had to fight for everything from food to territory – so signs of aggression were essential to their survival.
Many of these has been bred out to create the perfect family dogs we know today, but other retain the wilder characteristics.
There can be good reason for this – for example for those used as service or guard dogs – but prospective owners should be aware that this is the case before choosing to welcome a certain dog into their homes.
It should also be said that individual dogs may display attributes that are unusual for their breed, and all dogs have the potential to be aggressive in certain situations.
That said, here are the 13 breeds least likely to show signs of aggression.
9. Portuguese Water Dog
Sometimes aggression can be caused due to a lack of understanding so often the most intelligent dogs can be the least aggressive. The Portuguese Water Dog is one such bright spark that has the added bonus of being low-shedding so suitable for allergy sufferers. | Canva/Getty Images
10. Basset Hound
It takes serious amounts of energy to be aggressive - reserves that the notoriously lazy Basset Hound will be loath to dip into unless really needed. | Canva/Getty Images
11. Whippet
Any energy the Whippet has will be reserved for zooming around the park at high speed - with very little left for anything approaching aggression. When they are done with exercising they are equally happy snoozing on the sofa. | Canva/Getty Images
12. Shih Tzu
Some people are suprised that small dogs are often more aggressive than larger dogs - but anybody who has chuckled at a tiny Jack Russell Terrier bullying am enormous Saint Bernard in their local park will attest to the fact. The loving Shih Tzu is an exception to this rule - having a loving and gentle nature. | Canva/Getty Images