Giant dog is seeking a forever home

A giant dog who stands as tall as a baby elephant is struggling to find a forever home because he’s so nervous.

Four-year-old Great Dane Milo was rescued by RSPCA inspectors due to welfare concerns in March 2023 and arrived at RSPCA Suffolk Central Branch in Martlesham.

He is a big boy (pictured with animal care assistant, Diane Uttley) weighing in at 53kg (117lb) and standing at 1m tall (39in) – the same as a baby elephant.

He eats 660g (23oz) of food a day and is taller than most of the centre’s staff when he stands up on his hind legs (5ft 3ins or 160cm). But he’s so anxious that his nerves are making it tough for him to find a forever home.

Senior kennel assistant Lucy Calver said: “Milo hasn’t had the best start in life and he was terrified of everyone and everything when he arrived here.

“We have spent almost a year working with him and helping him to gain confidence; he’s made big improvements. However, he still gets worried by loud sounds, bad weather, new environments and people he doesn’t know.”

On March 28, Milo will have been in the RSPCA’s care for one year. The team is desperate to find him the right home before he reaches this unwanted milestone.

Lucy added: “Milo needs a special home with adopters who are happy for him to be a home bird, while continuing with the positive reward-based training we’ve been doing with him. Any adopter will need to slowly and positively expose him to the world outside so it isn’t too overwhelming for him.

“We believe he has spent his whole life in unsuitable conditions which has triggered this intense anxiety and it’s heartbreaking to see him struggle now that he has a chance to have a happy life.”

Milo has been prescribed medication by vets in a bid to help with his anxiety and the team would like his new owners to continue with this when he first goes to his new home.

Any potential adopters will need to spend time visiting him at the centre and getting to know him before taking him home. Owners with experience of large breeds or nervous dogs would be preferable.

A large home in a quiet, rural setting with a secure private garden would be best for him – as he’ll likely need to spend a lot of time at home before venturing outside.

“Milo is so affectionate with the people he trusts,” Lucy added. “He will nudge your hand until you stroke him and tries to sit in your lap, even though he doesn’t fit! He loves cheese and really enjoys zooming around the garden as well as learning new tricks and skills.

“But he finds walks very worrying so his new owners will need to slowly build up to take him out and about.

“He has spent some time in a wonderful foster home recently which has given him a much-needed break from kennels and has helped him get used to being back in a normal home environment so we hope this will help with his settling in process.”

Milo cannot live with other pets but could live with older children who understand not to frighten him.

🦴 Find out more about Milo online or contact the RSPCA Suffolk Central team for more details by calling 0300 999 7321 or emailing info@rspca-suffolkcentral.org.uk.

🦴 To see all of the dogs available for rehoming at the RSPCA, visit Find A Pet, to find your match.