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.
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 Siberian Husky – they are one of the UK’s most popular large dogs and have a range of positive attributes that make them a great pet and companion.
Here are 10 fun and interesting facts about the breed.
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Those with active lifestyles might want to consider a larger dog, while somebody with allergies will be looking for a hypoallergenic dog.
![Russian fur trader William Goosak is credited with bringing the breed to Alaska during the Nome Gold Rush at the start of the 20th century to help work the mining fields.](https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjRiMGUxN2IwLTY5NDYtNDk0ZC1hNjMxLWY3NjczMzA1NTczNTo1MDU5OTlmZS00NDgyLTQ2YzAtYjEyNy01ZTE3NDRiZGNlZTU=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
5. Arrival in Siberia
Russian fur trader William Goosak is credited with bringing the breed to Alaska during the Nome Gold Rush at the start of the 20th century to help work the mining fields. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
![A Siberian Husky called Balto became famous after leading a team of sled dogs to deliver serum to the Alaskan city of Nome to successfully combat an outbreak of diphtheria in 1925. There is a bronze statue of Balto in New York's Central Park to mark his heroism.](https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjA4YzY2ZTAzLTYxNTgtNDU1MS05NzQ5LTExYTc0M2QyYTAyMzo1NmNmNWUxNy1jMGFjLTRiYjMtYmFiOS05NzgwY2IyYWM3ZDU=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
6. Hero hounds
A Siberian Husky called Balto became famous after leading a team of sled dogs to deliver serum to the Alaskan city of Nome to successfully combat an outbreak of diphtheria in 1925. There is a bronze statue of Balto in New York's Central Park to mark his heroism. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
![The Husky has a wide range if noises it makes to communicate with its owner and other dogs in its pack. Most impressive is its wolf-like howl which can be heard up to 10 miles away.](https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmJmOWVjYjg5LTQ1NjQtNDkzZC1iZDI0LWM1MmYzODhlYzI2NDo1NTU1YzVkOC0zOGYyLTRhMzgtODNhZi1kNzkzMmM4NjNhYzk=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
7. A real loudmouth
The Husky has a wide range if noises it makes to communicate with its owner and other dogs in its pack. Most impressive is its wolf-like howl which can be heard up to 10 miles away. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
![The popularity of Siberian Huskies soared when the television series Game of Thrones was released - even though no Huskies were actually used in the programme. People were buying them because they look like the fictional direwolf creatures, leading several cast members to warn viewers against buying a Husky without researching the breed first.](https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmE3NGU0NDQ0LWU1YjktNGMzMy1hZjhiLTM5OTA2MGYxM2IyODo2ZmY2NzhjMy02N2FkLTRjMmEtOGM3My0wNWRjNmYzNDUwMDc=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
8. Winter is coming
The popularity of Siberian Huskies soared when the television series Game of Thrones was released - even though no Huskies were actually used in the programme. People were buying them because they look like the fictional direwolf creatures, leading several cast members to warn viewers against buying a Husky without researching the breed first. Photo: Canva/Getty Images