Charity sees an increase of large dogs

Battersea Dogs & Cats home has seen an increase in the number of large dogs coming into its care.

Dogue de Bordeaux numbers  doubled last year compared to 2014 and breeds such is Akitas and Alaskan Malamutes rising by around 30 percent within the charity’s’ centres.

Five of the charity’s chunkiest canines weighing a combined total of 450 pounds are looking for new owners that can handle a whole lot of pooch.

Shyla the Alaskan malamute, Enzo the dogue de Bordeaux, American bulldog Cruz, Kimmy the akita and Bromley the mongrel are together heavier than English rugby prop Kieran Brookes and weigh the same as 800 packs of butter.

Battersea’s gentle giants are currently looking for homes with the space for a large dog – which is not always an easy task in London.

The charity is reminding potential pet owners that it rehomes animals all over the UK, so if you live in Dorset or Dundee Battersea could still have the right dog for you.

Head of dog rehoming, Rob Young, said: “No dog is too big for us at Battersea and we’ll do everything we can to find dogs like Shyla and Cruz loving homes. We try to make their stay with us as comfortable as possible, but it can’t be much fun for a dog as big as Enzo or Bromley to be in a kennel when they’d much rather be sprawled out on the floor of someone’s sitting room.

“We’re asking people to please think of rehoming a larger breed from us if you have the right home for one.”

Rob continued: “It’s no secret that larger breeds require a suitable home life to meet their needs. People need to be realistic about the large breed they’re taking on – they need more space such as a garden to run around in, and owners’ must be responsible and keep their dog under control at all times.

“Breeds such as mastiffs and malamutes are loving and loyal and we challenge the perception that large breeds aren’t family pets. When the right dog is matched with the right owners they certainly can be. We’re encouraging people not to discount them – the bigger the dog the more love they have to give.”

For more information contact 020 7622 3626.