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.
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 12 breeds of dog that have soft mouths.
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5. Poodle
Many people don't realise that the poodle, the epitome of pampered and perfect show dogs, was originally bred for retrieving shot-down birds. The breed still has the requisite soft mouth for the job. | AFP via Getty Images
6. American Water Spaniel
One of the rarest breeds of spaniel, the American Water Spaniel shares it's more common cousins' soft mouth. They were originally bred in the American state of Wisconsin - where they remain the state dog - and also have a curly double coat to keep them warm while retrieving prey from ice-cold winter waters. | Canva/Getty Images
7. Irish Setter
Also known as the Red Setter, the Irish Setter is a much in-demand gun dog and family pet - easily identified by their luxuriant mahogany coloured coat. All Setters come with soft mouths as standard. | AFP via Getty Images
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8. Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Developed in the USA in the 19th century the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is another dog that will only deliver a proper bite if it really has to. | Getty Images