Chinese New Year starts on 16 February. This year, it is the year of the dog. What does this mean? Well, if you subscribe to the Chinese zodiac, you’d expect that people born in 2018 (and past dog years such as 1994, 1982, 1970 and 1958) exhibit certain dog-like characteristics. That is, they should be loyal, honest and extremely good company. This got us thinking – about dogs, first, of course, but also about personalities. What if we could find the perfect dog for everyone based purely on character traits? To try and do this, we asked The Kennel Club, the organising body of pedigree dog championship Crufts, which starts on 8 March, to suggest a dog breed to match every personality type. Below, Kennel Club secretary Ms Caroline Kisko uses her experience to handpick the perfect hound for you. Enjoy her selection. But remember, a dog is for life, not just for Chinese New Year.

You’re so vain that your selfies have their own Instagram account. If you’re not recording the banal minutiae of your day to Snapchat for your long-suffering followers, you’re stalking people on social media or reading the Daily Mail sidebar of shame. Ms Kisko recommends you find your @soulmate in the form of a Pembroke corgi. A distinctive, photogenic breed that thrives on attention, Corgis are, quite literally, fit for a queen. Your new friend will sit patiently while you dress it for bordering-on-cruel social media photos, and prove a willing (and silent) sounding board when you’re gossiping at the barber.

You wear Hunter wellies on Oxford Street, you get your pocket squares handmade and your experience of “The North” consists solely of your sprawling estate in Scotland. You enjoy the finer things in life and, while ambling down the street in South Ken of a weekday (your trust fund allows you to work “freelance”), you couldn’t countenance anything by your side but a pure-breed Weimaraner. Ms Kisko tells us that this is a loyal, majestic hound. It was first bred at the German Court of the Grand Duke Karl August of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach in the early 19th century. From good stock, you’ll be pleased to hear. And the perfect pal for your weekend hunt.

You’re one of those people who constantly moans about being single, but also inexplicably turns up to social gatherings every week with a different partner in tow. Each partner must put up with you talking to (read: chatting up) other people in their presence, which you pass off as just being friendly. You know every pick-up trick in the book, and one of your tried and tested methods is a quick walk on a sunny day with your trusty dalmatian. These are perfect dogs for The Charmer, says Ms Kisko, because they are instantly recognisable, super striking and fairly rare. They’re also incredibly sociable and playful. What’s not to like?

You are thoughtful and intelligent, but can exhibit nervous tendencies. You often find that you have the best idea in a work meeting, but you are just too afraid to voice it. Shame, because, overall, you’re just an incredibly likeable guy, aren’t you? You deserve more recognition. If only you weren’t so skittish, eh? Much like the nervy but energetic border collie, which, says Ms Kisko, is one of the smartest breeds in the world, and the most loyal.

Fun, energetic and always looking for the next adventure, you are the life and soul of the party and your friendship group. You’re the guy everyone wants to know. Until, that is, it’s midnight on a Monday and you’re still awake, tapping frantically away on the WhatsApp stream, asking pointless questions, wondering if anyone’s around for a pint. Find a partner in crime to wear you out in the form of a boxer dog, a breed that, Ms Kisko tells us, is bouncy, headstrong, energetic and fun. Remind you of anyone?

You like to dominate every situation. In the pub, you eye everyone with suspicion before fiercely shaking their hand and overwhelming them with noise, chatter and loud opinions. You are, physically and personality-wise, an authoritative presence. People feel they should, nay, need to get on with you. So, why not double the impact with a Siberian husky by your side? Chosen by Ms Kisko because huskies are related to wolves (your spirit animal), they are great hunters, thrive well in packs and are super smart.

You were described in the school leavers’ book as nerdy, and the idea of reading a graphic novel, curled up on a sofa still appeals to you more than leaving the house to hang out with friends. A psychologist (you booked in to see one last year, but decided to play Minecraft instead) would describe you as passive, even insular. Welcome to your new best friend, the cavalier King Charles spaniel. Ms Kisko describes the King Charles as the perfect lapdog – loyal, relaxed and a big fan of indoor activities. Also, they provide a great excuse to skip any/all social events.