Why gentle giant Baron could be Australia’s biggest and friendliest dog

The English mastiff from the Hills weighs in at a staggering 113kg and is measured in horse hands. He eats two steaks a day - and he’s still growing.

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WHEN you first meet Australia’s biggest dog, Baron, it’s not only his massive size which immediately catches your eye but his gentleness.

For an animal reported to be Australia’s biggest and heaviest dog at 113kg and 9.5 horse hands — Baron is certainly a winner when it comes to making friends as the lines at dog shows prove.

So much so that the two-year-old English mastiff could be soon visiting schools and hospitals as a therapy dog as proud Hills handlers Mark and Dorothy York, plan to do.

Dorothy York with Baron, a two-year-old English mastiff. Picture: Adam Yip

“Baron is the biggest dog in Australia but not the tallest as great danes are taller,” Mr York said.

“He is still growing and will grow until he is nearly four-years-old.

“Baron, who was adopted as a 18-month-old from Queensland, can still grow until he is four and probably beat the heaviest dog we know, an US-based mastiff who weighs 127.5kg.

“The lady in Queensland was unable to look after him and we got him in February.

“English mastiffs are among the most gentlest dogs and we have had them for the past 30 years.

“Baron eats about two steaks a day and along with French mastiff, Chelsea, cost more than $200 a week to feed.

That’s a big two-year-old... Dorothy York and Baron at Castle Hill Showgrounds. Picture: Adam Yip

Baron cosies up to handler Mark York on the couch.

There is no escape...

“Chelsea weighs 45kg and more active than Baron.

“Baron eats a lot, he has meat and biscuits for brekkie, chicken necks for a midday snack and meat and biscuits for dinner with extra vitamins and oils, some pilchard or sardines, egg, pumpkin and veggies.

“He also gets brown rice or pasta and dog food company looking for a star, we have one for them.”

Mr York, a champion angler here and overseas and a torch bearer during the 2000 Sydney Olympics, said they have been trying to get Baron officially recognised for his size in Australia without luck.

“He is a very laid back dog, gets on with everyone and other animals,” Mr York said.

Baron, who is available for stud duties, won best junior dog award at the Royal Melbourne and first place at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

Baron costs $100 a week to feed - and he’s also a big snorer.

Baron’s measurements are impressive: In horse terms, he is 9.5 hands tall but when he stands on his rear legs is a towering 201cm (6 foot 6 inches).

The dog, visits a chiropractor regularly, has a 127cm chest (50 inches) and a 86.36cm neck (34 inches).

And according to his owner, his already massive head could grow even bigger.

But Mr York says Baron is a gentle giant and has already passed his assessment to be a therapy dog, calling into schools and hospitals.

For Mr York and his family, this is the fifth English mastiff they have looked after.

“Our previous biggest do, Zaac weighed 110kg and lived till he was 11 years,” Mr York said.

Baron, who along with Chelsea is a big snorer.

Baron is in training to become a therapy dog, in schools and hospitals. Picture: Adam Yip

“The English mastiffs are one of the oldest breeds of dog dating back to before the Romans,’ Mr York said.

“He has been assessed for becoming a therapy dog, calling into schools and hospitals and passed with flying colours,” Mr York said.

“He will start his training soon. He is a very laid back dog, gets on with everyone and all kinds of other animals.

“He is my constant companion when I go fishing.”

And as celebrities do, Baron also has his own Facebook page: Baron the olde English Mastiff.