Introducing Abu, the largest dog in the UK—a Turkish Malakli who towers at an incredible 7 feet 2 inches and weighs as much as a baby elephant. At just two years old, this gentle giant devours a staggering 3 kilograms of food daily, including an entire chicken, three mackerel, two eggs, and raw meat dog food. This lavish diet costs his owner, Dylan Shaw, £11 each day, adding up to over £4,000 a year. Despite his hefty 18-stone frame, Abu still sees himself as a lap dog, relishing in snuggling with Dylan’s young children on the sofa. Dylan proudly says, “Abu has been a wonderful addition to our family; he’s an amazing pet and gets along brilliantly with the kids.”
A colossal Turkish Malakli, standing at an astounding 7 feet 2 inches and weighing as much as a baby elephant, has been recognized as the largest dog in the UK. His owner, Dylan, revealed details about his daily diet, which consists of raw meat, dog food, and an entire chicken.
Despite his formidable size, this Malakli is remarkably gentle and seemingly unaware of how big he is. Dylan noted that while the dog is full of energy outdoors, he’s surprisingly calm indoors, sometimes even blending in so well that it’s easy to accidentally trip over him.
When on all fours, the dog’s shoulders stand significantly above Dylan’s hips, making Dylan appear small in comparison. And with the Malakli still having some growing to do—since they reach full maturity around three years old—there’s no telling how much larger he might become.
Despite his daunting size, this Turkish Malakli is a true softie, often trying to sit on laps and even shedding a tear when reprimanded. Dylan remains curious about just how big his beloved dog will get, as he’s already surpassed all expectations.
Dylan had always wanted a Turkish Malakli, but he patiently waited until he had enough space at home to care for one properly. In November 2021, Abu arrived from Turkey at just four months old, and even at that young age, he was already larger than Dylan’s Doberman, Luna.
Dylan took great care to socialize Abu with people and other dogs, making sure he was at ease in different environments. Their walks often turn into mini photo sessions, as they frequently get stopped by people asking for pictures, sometimes barely making any progress.
To Dylan’s surprise, Abu has far exceeded expectations, growing a foot taller than anticipated when standing on all fours and weighing nearly 30 kilograms more than Dylan initially imagined.
Dylan ensured that Abu was well-socialized by regularly introducing him to people and other dogs, helping him become comfortable in various settings. Weighing in at 18 stone, Abu is noticeably larger than other dogs from the same kennels. Dylan often encounters people who can’t resist snapping photos of Abu during walks, with many joking about horse-related activities or inquiring about the cost of a ride. Despite his enormous size, Abu is incredibly popular, even making a special appearance at a school for “take a pet to school day,” where the children absolutely adored him.
Dylan has a deep affection for Abu, stating that he wouldn’t change him for anything in the world. Interestingly, despite Abu’s massive stature, Dylan finds that their Doberman appears more intimidating. Abu has grown beyond all expectations, surpassing every other dog from his kennels. Before Abu, the title of the UK’s biggest dog was held by Balthazar, a Blue Great Dane who weighed 15 stone and stood seven feet tall, but sadly passed away in August this year.
