Bored Panda wanted to learn about which challenges giant dog breed owners should keep in mind, including health considerations, so we reached out to the team at PDSA, the United Kingdom’s leading vet charity. PDSA Vet Nurse Gemma Renwick was kind enough to walk us through everything and shared some specifics to know before getting Alaskan Malamutes and Great Danes.

“We know there are loads of benefits to getting a pet—they’re great for our mental health, provide us with love and company, and can help us stay active. But if you’re just starting to consider filling that pet-shaped hole in your life, there are a few things you’ll need to think about first, especially if you’d like to get a larger breed,” she explained to us in an email, noting that you have to make sure you’re getting the right pet for you and your circumstances.

“A decision like this can be a bit overwhelming, but PDSA has helpful guides on their website to help you understand the needs of any potential pet. Visit www.pdsa.org.uk/quiz to find out what pet type is right for you. There are also great checklists and advice on preparing for the arrival of new pets, so you don’t forget something vital!”

Generally, larger dog breeds can cost more to feed, but there are other potentially hidden costs to consider. For instance, some dog walkers might charge more because very large dogs can be unsafe. Meanwhile, grooming costs are also going to be pricier, as is the cost of dog boarding while you’re on holiday.

“You should expect a dog to cost you at least £6,200 but, depending on the breed of the dog, their total cost could be a minimum of £18,800 over their lifetime:

1. Small dog breeds: At least £6,200 - £12,000
2. Medium dog breeds: At least £9,000 - £14,000
3. Large dog breeds: At least £8,200 - £18,800.”

According to PDSA, these estimated lifetime costs are the minimum needed to care for a dog and they can vary depending upon their individual size, breed, and longevity. These costs include pet insurance but not vet fees. Insurance costs for giant dog breeds can be bigger. Essentially, bigger animals can require larger doses of medication.

“If your pet has an accident or develops a health problem, giant breeds and their associated care can often become more complicated and the cost of caring for them could increase dramatically,” PDSA Vet Nurse Renwick told Bored Panda.

“Pedigree dogs and cats can be at higher risk of certain breed inherited health problems, which could add to your costs. Sadly, with giant breeds, their average lifespan can be shorter than standard-sized pets, so it’s important to make sure that you keep them at a healthy weight and ensure they stay fit and active, so they live the healthiest life possible.”

It’s best to research your chosen breed thoroughly before you commit to buying one. You want to be able to meet your new pet’s needs. “Regular vet checks can help you notice any health problems developing, giving your vet the opportunity to treat them early on. Vaccinations are important and help to guard against preventable diseases. Although some booster vaccinations don’t need to be given every year, it’s worth keeping up with annual vet checks.”

PDSA shared some very relevant information about Alaskan Malamutes and Great Danes, two well-known giant dog breeds. Alaskan Malamutes, originally bred to pull sleds, are very popular due to their looks and individual personalities, and they require lots of exercise, space, and attention. People often mistake them for Huskies.

“Malamutes are robust dogs who can be great in the right household but unfortunately, like many pure-bred dogs, they are prone to certain health issues associated with their breed. There is currently testing and screening for some of the problems Alaskan Malamutes can have:

1. Hip Dysplasia – where the hip joints don’t fit together perfectly, which will eventually lead to arthritis. Before breeding, dogs should be screened by X-rays through the BVA/Kennel Club Hip Dysplasia Scheme.
2. Hypothyroidism – an underactive thyroid, causing problems with weight, skin, and energy levels.
3. Cataracts – a ‘clouding’ of the lens of the eye affecting vision. Breeding dogs should be screened every year."

Vet Nurse Renwick also had some fun facts about Alaskan Malamutes to share with Bored Panda. For instance, they can be very vocal. “They may not bark too much, but will happily howl for you,” she said.

"What’s more, Malamutes have double-coated, super-thick fur that helps them withstand arctic temperatures. “They can be very mischievous which can make them a challenge to train and they like to chew everything.”

Meanwhile, Great Danes are a large, working breed that’s loved for its gentle and sweet nature, not just its giant size. “They are an intelligent breed, making them easy to train in the right hands, but are still very playful and love spending time with their family,” PDSA explained to Bored Panda.

“They are a very impressive breed due to their size. Although they were originally bred for hunting and later as guard dogs, their loyalty and love for their owners have made them popular family pets. They need plenty of space, so a large house and garden are a must if you’re looking at getting a Great Dane!” Renwick said.

“Great Danes are considered real gentle giants who have unlimited love and affection for their families. Unfortunately, like so many other pure-bred dogs, they are at risk of certain problems and conditions relating to their breed:

1. Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV)– this is where the stomach twists. It is an emergency and requires urgent veterinary attention.
2. Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) – a type of heart disease that means their heart is bigger than it should be and doesn’t function properly.
3. Eye problems – a range of eye conditions including in-turning or out-turning (entropian/ectropion) of the eyelids, glaucoma, cherry eye, and medial canthus pocketing. There is screening for some of these conditions.
4. Wobbler Syndrome – where the bones in the neck are unstable and causing their back legs to be weak.”

According to PDSA, Great Danes are actually believed to be the largest breed of dog. Technically, they’re classified as a ‘giant breed.’ The tallest dog on record was a Great Dane named Zeus. And if you think that this breed looks familiar, you’re not wrong. One of the most famous Great Danes is Scooby-Doo. The breed was once thought to ward off ghosts and evil spirits, so it makes sense for Scooby to be a Great Dane in the context of his adventures.

“Great Danes grow really quickly, which means they can look like adult dogs but still in fact be puppy-age,” Renwick said. “Even though they’re so big, Great Danes still see themselves as lap dogs! They’ll often try to sit on their owner’s laps.”

Phobias are a common anxiety disorder, but they are very varied. Some people live with megalophobia, the intense and irrational fear of large objects

For example, someone with this specific phobia is going to be scared of being around tall buildings, large statues, mountains, oceans, huge vehicles, big animals, and generally large spaces. They can also feel anxious just thinking of these things or looking at their images. So, for instance, seeing even a photo of a large dog might fill them with a certain amount of dread.

Life is full of large objects, both natural and human-made, so having megalophobia can make life difficult. You can try to get over this fear by gradually exposing yourself to big things or talking to a therapist who specializes in phobias. Someone with megalophobia who finds themselves around big things can feel intense fear, anxiety, nausea, dizziness, and shortness of breath.

It’s very likely that you’ve come across some absolute units on your social media feed without knowing who or what they were. Larger-than-life things are hardly anything new as they’ve been around since ancient history.

But absolute units as a specific pop culture idea are 7 years old. The idea is fairly straightforward. People share a photo of a large object or person and then channel their inner British banter with a caption that shows how awed they are by this lad or absolute unit.

The absolute unit meme is, well, an absolute unit. It is hugely popular. It’s also an example of how one simple phrase can quickly entrench itself into internet culture with a bit of luck and relatability.

Know Your Meme traces the absolute unit phenomenon all the way back to December 13, 2017, when Twitter (now X) user @mrreptoid shared a photo of British hotelier David Morgan-Hewitt posing with the Queen of England. The internet user titled the photo, “In awe at the size of this lad. Absolute unit.” That tweet went viral and history was in the making.

The absolute unit meme spread like wildfire after that, as people started retweeting the original image or sharing their own photos of large objects and people. Some notable people who contributed to the virality of the meme include journalist David Roth and entrepreneur Elon Musk.

MIT Technology Review’s tweet about an article about the world’s biggest airplane described it as an “absolute unit.” Musk commented underneath by attaching a photo of a huge ram and a comment about how it was “an absolute unit too.” The ram was a photo that had previously gone viral after being shared by The Museum of English Rural Life, which had also said the animal was an absolute unit.

Musk later even temporarily changed his profile photo to the giant ram. Meanwhile, the curator of The Museum of English Rural Life then changed its account’s profile pic to Musk’s and its name to The Muskeum of Elonglish Rural Life. The curator of that account, Adam Koszary, who had published the photo of the big ram, was then allegedly hired by Musk to be a social media manager at Tesla, the automotive company.

The ‘Absolute Unit’ subreddit was founded 7 years ago, in early 2018. The online group is going strong to this very day. It ranks among the top 1% of all communities on Reddit by size and boasts a whopping 1.8 million members from around the globe. The moderators running the sub have even created a helpful wiki to help people understand what absolute units are better.

The moderators explain that they’re mainly looking for people to post photos of animals. However, they’re also happy to accept images featuring giant examples of food, statues, and items. However, even if all of these pics are shared in the name of fun, the community steers clear of controversial posts. Fat-shaming photos and harassment are strictly forbidden.

For instance, if you want to post photos of other people, keep in mind that you can only share ones of public figures, and they have to be large in stature (not just fat). You’re also not allowed to share photos of female bodybuilders.

Meanwhile, take the time to get to know what other members of the subreddit have already posted. Don’t share photos that have already been (re)shared within the last 2 months. Also, avoid reposting the top 50 images of all time. And when sharing pics, start the post title with the word “of.” As in, the thing you’re sharing is an absolute unit “of [name of the thing].”