The Biggest Dog in the World

We're spending a couple of days with our friends Mike and Ellie Sorensen and their dog Cedar. Cedar is a the biggest dog I've ever seen and I've seen a lot of dogs.

Cedar is a Mastiff, or better yet, an Old English Mastiff, not to be confused with the tiny by comparison Bull Mastiff of Turner and Hooch fame. Cedar is easily 30 inches tall at the shoulder and has to weigh in around 200 pounds. He has a head the size of a small boulder and you want to be sure to protect yourself when you are standing behind him if Ellie of Mike start in with the baby talk. When his tail starts wagging he can literally knock you over!

Having a dog like Cedar in the family creates an interesting new dimension to pet parenting that I'd never really thought much about. And Mike and Ellie are the best pet parents I've ever known.

For instance Mike and Ellie have a giant van instead of a car solely because Cedar needs the room when they travel and they never travel without Cedar. "We couldn't leave him alone" says Ellie, "He'd never forgive us." And I'm thinking to myself, yeah, that and who would take him in for a few days? It would be kind of like watching the neighbors 4H steer, only I must say, Cedar is very well trained; house broken and smart as a whip.

This morning over coffee, Ellie told Cedar to go into the bedroom and get his collar. Cedar pondered the suggestion for a second, turned around, disappeared and came back moments later with the collar in his mouth. I asked Cedar to get me a cup of coffee. He stared at me disdainfully for a couple of seconds and laid down, implying, I imagine, that I could get my own damn coffee.

When we arrived at our guest house last night Ellie had to search high and low for a water dish and feeding bowl large enough to accommodate Cedar's head. He's eating and drinking out of two huge wooden salad bowls.

Another interesting accommodation is the slobber towel. After eating or drinking Mike is quick to apply said towel so no unsuspecting person gets a slobber shower when Cedar shakes his head. Thanks to Mike for that, by the way.

One of the things I really appreciate about Cedar is the fact that he goes through around 50 pounds of dog food every two weeks. Cedar eats Beneful combined with other food I can't mention by name. I've convinced Ellie to move over to Purina ONE Large Breed formula with a little Beneful thrown in. Large Breed diets with natural sources of glucosamine can help big dogs, especially if they have any bone or joint issues. And Cedar has a couple.

Cedar has had bilateral knee surgeries for Anterior Cruciate ligament ruptures. The procedure is known as a Tibial plateau leveling osteotomy or TPLO. This type of surgery works best for big dogs and is usually performed by an Board Certified Veterinary Orthopedic surgeon. Cedar's surgeries seem to have worked well. He does not limp and the only obvious signs are the two scars you see over both knee joints. My trained eye detects a little hind end muscle atrophy but most people wouldn't notice.

The cost for these surgeries was a little north of $6000. Yep, that's right, six grand or three grand a knee. Seems like Mike and Ellie should have gotten a volume discount with both knees being involved but they don't blink and eye when they recount the experience. They are happy that Cedar is pain free and gets around without any obvious hitches in his get along.

You see, they love Cedar like they love each other; completely, totally and forever. It's a wonderful thing to watch if you love dogs like we all do. I'll stick with something a little smaller like the Darcie dog but observing this "Big Love" has made this a fun New Years vacation.

One thing though, if Mike and Ellie ever get another Cedar, I'm going to suggest Pet Health Insurance!   

Comments

[pet health]

I certainly enjoyed the way you explore your experience and knowledge of the subject!

[Nancy Flanagan]

Hi. I just found this site and "Yes" Cedar is a big boy.
I have an English Mastiff named Tonka he weighs 275lbs and is 35 in. tall. His dad weighs 300lbs.

[valerie]

we have a english mastiff that weighed in at 240 pounds. is there anybody in england with a english mastiff any bigger.

[valerie]

we have a english mastiff that weighed in at 240 pounds. is there anybody in england with a english mastiff any bigger.

[Lucille Sorensen]

I am Cedar's proud Grandma. When he lays his large head on my knees and looks up at me with those wonderful soulful eyes I just melt and hug him. When we visit and bring our suitcase he keeps an eye on that and when it is time to leave he all but crys and pleads "please don't go" with those almost human eyes. Do we love him? You bet! He is a treasure. Wonder if Mike tells about "the stick" that Cedar likes to run around with and hide. It actually is the size of a small tree. He is a hoot! Thanks for the article. We can tell you are a writer...XO Grandma and Grandpa Sorensen