World's Largest Dog
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Samson
When we think of big dogs, we think of Labradors, Saint Bernards, Great Dane, Collie, German Shepherd as well as many other 'large breed' dogs. As far as size goes, they all fall in the range between 70 to 150 pounds. However, in one home in Britain, these would all be considered as average size dogs.
Julie and Ray Woods of Wyberton are the happy and proud owners of Samson, a Great Dane-Newfoundland cross, who weighs almost 20 stones (or 280 pounds).
Samson is only 3 years old and still growing. We can only speculate at what he'll tip the scales at when he's "full grown". Right now, when standing on his hind legs he is 6 ft 5 ins and stands taller than Ray, who is a little over 6 feet tall. Samson has a 59-inch chest and a 29-inch waist, which requires a pony coat and a specially made extra large collar. His paws are equivalent in size to a dinner plate.
Samson's mother and father were Newfoundland and Great Dane, two dogs known for their large build and height. It was an unplanned mating and Samson was one of 11 puppies. With genetics like that, one would expect a large dog, but not like what the Woods have in Samson. They got Samson from a RSPCA center when he was six months old and already 16 stones.
Samson's previous owners weren't able to care for him and took him back when they came home from work one day and found their house tore apart.
When they first arrived at the center, he came running to them and pinned them to the wall. For Julie and Ray, it was love at first sight. Julie and Ray both claim their lives are very different since they got Samson-but in a good way. He is a lovable dog that wouldn't hurt anyone or anything. Julie states that he is a big baby that loves affection and being pet. Samson loves children as much as they love him. With Julie and Ray having eight grandchildren, family get togethers must be a ball.
Ray walks him four times a day with each walk being for two miles. Ray says when other dogs meet him, they move over to allow him through! When people see him for the first time, they are dumbstruck and stare with their mouths wide open! His diet consists of turkey legs and £60 a month in dog food. Because of his height, his dog dish needs to be on a special stool so it's about a foot off the floor so he can easily reach down and eat.
When the Woods bought new furniture, they bought a couch for them and a loveseat for Samson. However, Samson had other ideas as he comfortably took over the couch as his! This should give you a general idea of how large he really is. The loveseat is for relaxing with the family, but when it's bedtime, he goes to the lounge and sleeps on a double duvet with a pillow. To Julie and Ray, it's all worth it, as they love having him around (except for his loud snoring).
Samson is only 2 stones lighter than the largest dog in the world, but then who says Samson is done growing? For quite awhile, the Woods were hounded by the media and all the publicity surrounding them because of Samson's size. Samson was starting to become unsettled so Julie and Ray put a stop to the photographs and filming, etc. Now, they've settled down to a simple life with their "puppy', loving him, playing with him and watching him grow! Check out big Himalaya Tebetan Mastiffs or the Freakish Kell, Masive Mastiff