Madonna's 'dog house'

Madonna's old home will hear the pitter-patter of tiny paws

Pop superstar Madonna has reportedly sold her luxury mansion for $7.5m (£5m) - to a German Shepherd dog.

The palatial eight-bedroomed villa in Miami was snapped up by a mysterious group calling themselves The Burgundians, according to local press reports.

The three women and two men acquired the property on behalf of Gunther IV, who inherited a $200m fortune from his father's owner.

Other German Shepherds have to live in more humble surroundings

Gunther will be taking over Madonna's master bedroom, while the rest of the mansion is used for filming and fashion shows.

Heir

The pampered pooch is used to a life of luxury, with the group claiming his father, Gunther III, was the sole heir of the the late German countess Karlotta Liebenstein's $65 (£43m) fortune when she died in 1992.

Gunther IV, who is already the proud owner of several villas in Italy and the Bahamas, has since seen his nest egg more than treble.

The Burgundians recently inquired on his behalf about Sylvester Stallone's villa, also in Miami, which was on the market for $27.5m (£18m), before settling on Madonna's.

The Miami Herald reports the house was bought as part of a publicity stunt by a company calling itself the Gunther Corporation.

It said the company wanted to wire the house up with cameras so viewers could watch the activities of the five Burgundians - and Gunther - on the internet.

Madonna bought the Mediterranean-style villa, which measures 780 square metres, for $4.9m (£3.2m) back in 1992.

The pregnant singer, who is due to give birth in September, now spends most of her time in London with director boyfriend Guy Ritchie and her daughter, Lourdes.