The last few years have seen many of us welcome a new four-legged friend into our homes, as the Kennel Club has seen dog ownership soar to record levels.
But with 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your perfect pup.
Those with active lifestyles might want to consider a larger dog, while somebody with allergies will be looking for a hypoallergenic dog.
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.
One dog that often appears on people’s canine wishlists is the Great Dane – they are one of the UK’s most popular breeds of large dog and have a range of positive attributes that make them a great family pet.
Here are 10 fun and interesting facts about the breed.
Read more:
9. Horror star hound
Great Dane's have been used to portray the titular killer hellhound in every film adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Hound of the Baskervilles - even though the author never specified the breed of dog. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
10. Animated heroes
Scooby-Doo, the famous Hanna-Barbera cartoon character, is a Great Dane - his creator used sketches of a colleague's dog as inspiration. Photo: Canva/Getty Images