There's a reason why dogs are called man's best friend. Not only do they provide company, they're entertaining, loving and bring us joy when times are difficult.
When lockdowns were brought in last March, many people started working from home, sparking an increase in puppy purchases and adoptions. A total of 3.2 million households in the U.K. have acquired a pet since the start of the pandemic, according to the Pet Food Manufacturers' Association.
In the U.S., animal rescue centers across the country saw a spike in adoptions and foster applications at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as sales. So which are the most popular large breeds of dog in 2020? Here's the rundown according to the American Kennel Club.
Labrador Retriever
The most popular breed of dog in the U.S. since the early 1990s, the humble labrador retriever remains the most popular of all dogs, big and small. Labs are known for being friendly, easy-going, obedient and make great family pets.
German Shepherd
German Shepherds may look intimidating, but they make loving, faithful companions and excel in working roles. They carry out assistance work within the police and military, work on farms and assist with search and rescue and drug detection.
Golden Retriever
Golden retrievers are easily recognisable because of their long, golden coats. They are popular as disability assistance and search and rescue dogs, but they were originally bred to assist hunters and retrieve shot waterfowl such as ducks.
Poodle
When we think of Poodles, many of us picture the tiny, toy Poodles that are increasingly popular with dog owners. However, the standard poodle can weigh anywhere from 45 to 70 pounds, with females averaging between 45 to 60 pounds and males averaging 45 to 70 pounds. These athletic, attractive dogs are smart and love to learn, so training is a must.
Rottweiler
These large, robust dogs were originally bred to accompany Romans through Germany, driving their cattle and guarding outposts. The breed is named after the town of Rottweil in southern Germany, where many of the dogs were left. Rottweilers aren't suitable for inexperienced dog owners, but they make great pets and working dogs with the right training.
Great Dane
One of the largest dog breeds in the world, the Great Dane can reach up to 86cm in height and descends from hunting dogs in the Middle Ages. These giants were used for hunting large wildlife such as bears, boars and deer.
Siberian Husky
These working sled dogs have wonderful thick coats and were developed to work in packs, pulling light loads across frozen environments. Siberian Huskies are intelligent and love human company, but can be stubborn.
Doberman Pinscher
Doberman Pinschers originated in Germany during the late 19th century and were mostly bred as guard dogs. They are believed to be a mixture of various different dog breeds, including the Rottweiler and the German Pinscher. These dogs perform well in police and military work, but also make friendly family pets too.
Bernese Mountain Dog
Bernese Mountain Dogs are working dogs from the farmlands of Switzerland. They were developed to herd cattle, pull carts and guard buildings. As with many larger dogs, the breed sadly has a shorter lifespan of just six to eight years and are prone to illnesses such as cancer.
Mastiff
Mastiffs are among some of the largest dogs in the world and the breed dates back thousands of years. Fully grown males can weigh as much as 200 pounds and females can weigh around 150 pounds. Despite their imposing size, however, mastiffs are calm and affectionate if introduced to lots of situations as puppies.
Vizsla
Originally bred in Hungary to work as pointers and retrievers, Vizslas are red-coated gundogs which make great companions. These elegant dogs love being active so require owners who are happy to go on long walks and have time to exercise their dogs well.
Newfoundland
Newfoundlands were originally used as working dogs to pull nets for fishermen and haul wood from the forest, which explains their huge size and strong build. These dogs are sweet-natured, but owners should be prepared to groom Newfoundlands regularly because of their thick coats.
Rhodesian Ridgeback
The Rhodesian Ridgeback comes from southern Africa and is the product of several breeds, including Greyhounds and Great Danes. Originally, these large dogs hunted in the wild but they also protected families living in hostile environments, keeping intruders away from homes and land.
Bloodhound
According to the Kennel Club, these large scent hounds are possibly descended from hounds once kept at the monastery of St Hubert in Belgium. Despite their giant size, they are gentle and calm, known for their incredible sense of smell and tenacious tracking instinct.
Akita
Akitas come from the mountainous regions of northern Japan, where they were used to guard households and track large game including deer, elk and bears. Although Akitas can make good pets, they prefer to be only animals and don't always get along with other dogs, unless trained very well.
