Meet the 60kg dog nicknamed 'Big Moose' looking for a new home.

The five-year-old mastiff weighs the same as a drum kit, 9.44 stone, and arrived at the Stubbington Ark in July 2022 when his owners could not take care of him.

Big Moose is described as a ‘big boy with an even bigger heart so there’s a lot of dog to love'.

When he arrived at the day centre in Stubbington he needed cruciate ligament surgery and although he has fully recovered, his new owners will need to monitor his exercise levels to make sure he doesn't need to put too much strain on his legs.

Kate Luxford, Animal Centre Manager, said: “He is a gentle giant with a sweet nature who thinks he’s a lap dog - despite his size.

“He loves nothing more than curling up in your lap even though only his head fits! We think he’s a tiny Chihuahua stuck inside a mastiff’s body!”

Daily Echo: Meet the 60kg dog nicknamed 'Big Moose' looking for a new home.Meet the 60kg dog nicknamed 'Big Moose' looking for a new home. (Image: RSPCA)

She added: “Moose can be a sensitive soul and he finds strangers, loud noises, extreme weather and transport quite frightening,”

Kate added: “He may look big and tough, but he’s a real softie and will need owners who can reassure him when he’s nervous and who will be willing to continue the training we’ve been doing with him to build his confidence.

“Ideally his adopters will continue to slowly and positively introduce him to new surroundings and experiences, building up to short walks once he’s settled in his new home.

“We’d also like his new owners to be prepared to visit him multiple times here at The Ark in order to slowly build up a bond with him and to understand that he can find meeting new people overwhelming.”

For this reason, he will need to go to a home without other pets and he would be best as the only dog, although he is quite happy to have doggy friends to join for walks and play with at the park.

The team believe he would settle best with a small family so he is not too overwhelmed in the home.

He can be left for short periods and is happy snoozing while his owners are out. Ideally, his new owners would have experience dealing with large breeds and/or nervous dogs.

Find out more about Moose by emailing Stubbington Ark at enquiries@rspcasolent.org.uk or calling 01329 667541.