Tibetan Mastiff pups who weigh 11st each are so big strangers confuse them for LIONS

A couple whose adorable dogs weigh eleven stone each have revealed that strangers have mistaken their pups for lions while out on their daily walk.   

Shaun Kingsnorth, 42, and Katrina Springs, 40, live at home in Corby, Northamptonshire, with their children and two Chinese Tibetan Mastiffs, two-year-old male Bear, and one-year-old female Amira.

The huge dogs already weigh in at a whopping 11st and the male dogs can reach as large as 15st when fully grown – the same as the average adult man.

On all fours, Bear is the same height as their youngest son, Ryan, six, and stands as tall as Shaun – who is 6ft – when up on his back legs. 

Despite their mammoth size, the two dogs are often stopped for photos by strangers and Shaun insisted the animals are ‘gentle giants’ who love squeezing up on the sofa like ‘tiny lapdogs’.   

A couple whose adorable dogs weigh eleven stone each have revealed that strangers have mistaken their pups (pictured) for lions while out on their daily walk

Shaun Kingsnorth, 42, and Katrina Springs, 40, live at home in Corby, Northamptonshire, with their children and two Chinese Tibetan Mastiffs, two-year-old male Bear, and one-year-old female Amira (pictured)

Shaun Kingsnorth, 42, and Katrina Springs, 40, live at home in Corby, Northamptonshire, with their children and two Chinese Tibetan Mastiffs, two-year-old male Bear, and one-year-old female Amira (pictured) 

‘They’re honestly the most loving, loyal dogs’, said Shaun. ‘They are a bit of a handful because of their size – but both just gentle giant.

‘Everyone loves seeing them when we take them out for walks. We’ve had people double take and think we’re out walking lions because of their huge frame and golden manes.’ 

Shaun first spotted Bear on Facebook in 2019 when he was six-months-old after his previous owner had to sadly give him up due to his mammoth size. 

‘I just fell in love with him I saw him’, said Shaun. ‘We knew it was going to be a challenge because of his size. He was very protective at first, but it didn’t take long to train him.

The huge dogs (pictured with Shaun) already weigh in at a whopping 11st and the male dogs can reach as large as 15st when fully grown - the same as the average adult man

The huge dogs (pictured with Shaun) already weigh in at a whopping 11st and the male dogs can reach as large as 15st when fully grown – the same as the average adult man 

Shaun (pictured holding one of the pups) first spotted Bear on Facebook in 2019 when he was six-months-old after his previous owner had to sadly give him up due to his mammoth size

Shaun (pictured holding one of the pups) first spotted Bear on Facebook in 2019 when he was six-months-old after his previous owner had to sadly give him up due to his mammoth size

‘Now he’s so well behaved but still playful – he’s the gentlest dog.’

After having Bear for six months and getting a handle on the breed, Shaun was contacted by a rescue charity in Romania.

They saw how well he did with Bear on Facebook and told him about a female Chinese Tibetan Mastiffs they had called Amira who was looking for a home.

Once again, the couple couldn’t resist, and flew her over to join their family in the UK.

The couple raise the dogs at the family home which they share with their kids Kyle, 19, Bradley, 16, Shakira, 14 and six-year-old Ryan.

Shaun said: ‘The kids absolutely love them. Both dogs have grown so big and they’re still not fully-grown. They take up the whole sofa or bed by themselves.

On all fours, Bear is the same height as their youngest son, Ryan, six, and stands as tall as Shaun - who is 6ft - when up on his back legs

On all fours, Bear is the same height as their youngest son, Ryan, six, and stands as tall as Shaun – who is 6ft – when up on his back legs

Despite their mammoth size, Shaun insisted the animals are 'gentle giants' who love squeezing up on the sofa like 'tiny lapdogs'

Despite their mammoth size, Shaun insisted the animals are 'gentle giants' who love squeezing up on the sofa like 'tiny lapdogs'

Despite their mammoth size, Shaun insisted the animals are ‘gentle giants’ who love squeezing up on the sofa like ‘tiny lapdogs’

Amira, who is one, weighs around 9st 4lb, and Bear, who is nearly two, weighs 11st 8lbs. The dogs are fully-grown around aged five when they can reach a weight of 15 stone

Amira, who is one, weighs around 9st 4lb, and Bear, who is nearly two, weighs 11st 8lbs. The dogs are fully-grown around aged five when they can reach a weight of 15 stone

‘Even if we’re sat on them, they’ll hop up and try and sit on your lap. I swear they think they’re tiny.’

Amira, who is one, weighs around 9st 4lb, and Bear, who is nearly two, weighs 11st 8lbs. The dogs are fully-grown around aged five when they can reach a weight of 15 stone. 

The family are often stopped on their daily walks by passers-by who are fascinated by the dogs’ huge, fluffy manes.

Shaun said: ‘We live in quite a small village, so they’re the talk of the town. They’re not often found in the UK, so I think it’s quite a novelty.

Pictured L-R: Kyle 19, Bradley 17, Shaun 42, Ryan 6, Katrina 40, Shakira 15, of Northampton with their two Chinese Tibetan Mastiffs

Pictured L-R: Kyle 19, Bradley 17, Shaun 42, Ryan 6, Katrina 40, Shakira 15, of Northampton with their two Chinese Tibetan Mastiffs

Shaun is pictured at home with his Chinese Tibetan Mastiff who thinks he's a 'tiny lapdog'

The family are often stopped on their daily walks by passers-by who are fascinated by the dogs' huge, fluffy manes

The family are often stopped on their daily walks by passers-by who are fascinated by the dogs’ huge, fluffy manes. Pictured L-R; Shaun with his dog at home and on a walk 

‘We can’t go out for a walk without people stopping to stroke them or take photos.

‘The vet once said: ‘I’ve never seen dogs like that, are you sure they don’t belong in the zoo?’

‘We’ve even had people stop and think we’re walking lions. Sometimes I feel like they actually are lions.’

The dogs need to go out several times a day and Shaun, who works as a builder on a local farm, often takes the pair of pups to work with him.

He said: ‘I’m very lucky to work where I do. While I’m working, I can let them run around the fields or go into the paddocks.

Pictured, the family posing with their giant Chinese Tibetan Mastiffs while out for a walk in Northampton

Pictured, the family posing with their giant Chinese Tibetan Mastiffs while out for a walk in Northampton

The dogs need to go out several times a day and Shaun, who works as a builder on a local farm, often takes the pair of pups to work with him

The dogs need to go out several times a day and Shaun, who works as a builder on a local farm, often takes the pair of pups to work with him

‘I often see kids flocking to them at the bottom of the field – they love the attention. They’re the best dogs and we feel very lucky to have them.’

Shaun’s girlfriend Katrina also fell in love with the dogs when she first spotted them on Facebook and has loved watching them grow.

She said: ‘It was Shaun’s idea to get the dogs and I’m so pleased we went for it. 

‘I fell in love with them as soon as we saw them online. It’s the gorgeous colour of their fur – they’re so beautiful. They take up a bit of room but we barely notice anymore.

‘They’re brilliant with the kids – our daughter is obsessed with brushing their fur. Both of them are a big part of the family and I couldn’t imagine not having them.’

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