The last two years have seen many of us welcome a new four-legged friend into our homes, as the Kennel Club saw dog ownership soar over the pandemic.
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 at the top of people’s canine wishlists is the Rottweiler – it’s a breed often mistakenly thought to be aggressive but they have a range of positive attributes that make them a great family pet.
Here are 10 fun and interesting facts about the breed.
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5. A lucky escape
In the 19th century the Rottweiler almost became extinct, due to its traditional role as cattle herders being made redundant by roads and the railway. Luckily in the early 1900s it was found that they also made very good police and military dogs - so the breed thrived once more. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
6. A bad reputation
The American Kennel Club's describes the Rottweiler as being "a calm, confident and courageous dog". Despite this, many people have a negative image of the Rottweiler being aggressive. It's thought this misunderstanding comes from inaccurate portrayals in films and television - most notably in The Omen, where a Rottweiler was shown violently protecting the son of Satan - the original 'devil dog'. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
7. Famous fans
Celebrity Rottweiler owners include Will Smith, Robbie Williams, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tulisa Contostavlos and Bruno Mars. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
8. Brave and protective
Rottweilers are incredibly brave. In 2009 a Rottweiler called Jake was recognised for his bravery by the RSPCA after chasing off a man who was molesting a woman in a Coventry Park. Jake then led his owner to the victim and stood guard until the police arrived. Photo: Canva/Getty Images