The thing about great Danes is that they’re big. They’re really, really big. And that comes with some undeniable pros — generous cuddles and a certain grandeur — as well as some significant cons — the need for space, strength and sofas built to industrial standards.

The great Danes isn’t Danish at all, but German — shaped by noblemen who developed huge mastiff- and sighthound-type dogs to hunt boar and deer in the forests that carpeted Europe. Known locally as the Deutsche Dogge or German mastiff, these were dogs of immense power, bred to hold game until their human hunter arrived. In the late 19th century, the breed made its way to Britain — gaining its official name a decade later. Image 1 of 6

Great Danes at police dog show, White City, London, 1929 (Image credit: Alamy)

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