It might be supposed that dogs like Bach, but a new study suggests they prefer something with a little bit more bite.

Far from enjoying the strains for classical music, dogs are happier listening to soft rock or reggae, according to the University of Glasgow and the Scottish SPCA.

Reggae music and soft rock were found to provoke the most positive changes in behaviour and the animal charity is now planning to install sound systems in all its kennels to play Bob Marley and Jon Bon Jovi to their unsuspecting charges.

Neil Evans, professor of integrative physiology at the University of Glasgow's Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, said: "Overall, the response to different genres was mixed, highlighting the possibility that, like humans, our canine friends have their own individual music preferences.

"That being said, reggae music and soft rock showed the highest positive changes in behaviour.

“There is some evidence from work in humans that suggests that the relaxing effects of music are related to aspects of tempo or repeated motifs that can be present in the music.

“ Possibly the reggae and softrock have that more overtly expressed.”