If you’ve ever walked a 100-pound dog, you know that’s a lot of animal. Now, imagine a dog that weighs as much as three of them combined. That’s not a hyperbole; it’s the reality of a dog named Zorba. Specifically, Aicama Zorba of La-Susa.
He wasn’t just a big dog. He was a statistical outlier that redefined what we thought was biologically possible for a canine.
Zorba was an Old English Mastiff born in 1981, and honestly, the photos of him from the late 80s look like something out of a practical-effects monster movie. But he was real. Owned by Londoner Chris Eraclides, Zorba didn't just stumble into the record books. He demolished them. Twice.
The Numbers That Defy Logic
In 1987, the Aicama Zorba English Mastiff first hit the scales for Guinness World Records. He weighed in at 314.5 pounds. Most people would stop there. That's already the weight of a heavy-duty NFL lineman.
But Zorba wasn't done growing or, more accurately, filling out.
By 1989, he was re-measured. The result? A staggering 343 pounds (about 155.6 kg). To put that in perspective:
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- He stood 37 inches at the shoulder.
- He measured 8 feet, 3 inches from nose to tail.
- His neck circumference was 36.5 inches—larger than the waistline of an average adult man.
Basically, if Zorba decided he wanted to sleep on the sofa, you didn't move him. You just moved to a different room.
Why We Won't See Another Zorba
You might wonder why, with better nutrition and veterinary care in 2026, we haven't seen a 400-pound dog. There's a very specific reason for that.
Guinness World Records actually stopped accepting entries for the "heaviest" or "largest" pets back in the late 90s. They realized that by crown-ing the heaviest animal, they were inadvertently encouraging owners to overfeed their pets to chase a certificate. It became a welfare issue.
While they still track the "tallest" dogs (usually Great Danes like Zeus), the weight category is effectively frozen in time. Zorba is the "Heaviest Dog Ever" in a way that is likely permanent because the official record-keepers closed the books.
Was He Just Fat?
There is always a debate when a dog gets this big. Was he a healthy giant or just an overfed Mastiff? Records from the time suggest Zorba was genuinely massive in frame, not just in girth.
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However, there are stories that while under the care of a relative in 1989, he was accidentally overfed, which contributed to that final record-breaking weight. Regardless, his skeleton had to support that mass. Mastiffs are "heavy-boned" by nature, but 343 pounds is pushing the limits of mammalian joints.
The Aicama Lineage
Zorba wasn't a fluke of nature in terms of his pedigree. He was bred by Mrs. I. Prosser, sired by Stablemate’s Bruno of Kisumu out of Gildasan Valentine Daisy of Aicama. The "Aicama" prefix is legendary in the Mastiff world.
English Mastiffs are an ancient breed. They were the dogs that Caesar saw when he invaded Britain—dogs so big they "startled" the Romans. They were used for guarding estates and, unfortunately, for blood sports in the Middle Ages.
By the time Zorba came around, the breed had been refined into "gentle giants." Zorba was reportedly exactly that—a calm, loyal, and incredibly lazy companion who lived until he was about 11 years old. For a dog of that size, 11 years is actually a very respectable lifespan. Usually, the "super-giants" struggle to make it past 7 or 8.
What It’s Really Like Owning a Giant
If you're thinking of finding the modern-day equivalent of an Aicama Zorba English Mastiff, you need to be prepared for the logistical reality. It’s not just about the food bill, though feeding a 200+ pound dog can easily cost $300 a month in high-quality protein.
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- The Slobber Factor: Mastiffs have "pendulous flew" (jowls). When they shake their heads, the physics of centrifugal force takes over. You will find drool on your ceiling.
- The "Velcro" Temperament: They don't realize they are the size of a pony. They want to be lap dogs. Being pinned to a chair by a 200-pound Mastiff is a unique kind of physical therapy.
- Space Requirements: You don't necessarily need a mansion—they are incredibly low-energy—but you do need a car that can fit them. A compact SUV often won't cut it.
Health Realities of the Breed
Owning a Mastiff today means being hyper-aware of Bloat (Gastric Torsion). This is when the stomach flips, and it's a leading killer of large breeds. Zorba’s size would have made him a high-risk candidate for this, along with hip dysplasia.
Most modern breeders actually aim for a "slimmer" giant—dogs that are muscular and functional rather than just heavy. The goal today is longevity, not breaking scales.
Actionable Insights for Future Giant Owners
If the story of Zorba has you wanting a giant of your own, don't just go looking for the "biggest" puppy in the litter. That's a rookie mistake.
- Prioritize Heart and Joint Screening: Ask breeders for OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) clearances for hips, elbows, and heart.
- Keep Them Lean: While Zorba was 343 pounds, your average Mastiff should stay between 160 and 230 pounds. Extra weight is a death sentence for their joints.
- Training is Non-Negotiable: A 10-pound Poodle that doesn't listen is a nuisance. A 200-pound Mastiff that doesn't listen is a hazard. You must start "nothing in life is free" training from the day they come home.
- Budget for the End: Everything is more expensive with a giant—surgery, heartworm meds, and even cremation services. Ensure your emergency fund is as big as the dog.
Zorba remains a legend because he represents the absolute ceiling of what a domestic dog can be. He was the king of the giants, a fawn-colored mountain of a dog that we'll likely never see the likes of again.
If you're interested in the logistics of giant breeds, the next step is looking into gastropexy surgery—a preventative procedure that can stop the stomach from flipping, which is the single most important health decision you'll make for a Mastiff.