The huge hound that is afraid of the rain, dark and even squeaky toys

He may be a big dog, but Kenny the Mastiff is an even bigger coward.

The huge hound is petrified of squeaky toys, cars, the dark and even the rain.

The Pakistani Mastiff – a rare breed with an average weight of 12st 5lbs and height of 2ft 7in – but has a long list of phobias and refuses to go outside in even the lightest drizzle.

He is currently being looked after at Pennine Pen Animal Rescue in Oldham, Greater Manchester, where founder Michael Waugh is helping him overcome his fears.

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But there may be a good reason for the dog’s cowardly behaviour.

Michael believes Kenny’s fears, especially those of the rain, stem from the fact he may have been locked indoors for most of his life before he was rescued.

“Kenny will not take a single step outside if it is raining,” said Michael. “We try to coax him out but as soon as he sees it he puts the brakes on – it terrifies him.

“When we get him out for a walk when it’s dry, he jumps at the sound of traffic and even once got a fright when a twig brushed against him.

“When it’s dark he gets really nervous and you can just see this look of fear on his face. We bought him a squeaky toy to cheer him up and he ran away from the squeak.

“It is so funny because you just don’t expect this big dog to be so terrified of all these things.

“We don’t know where he came from but he hasn’t had a good start in life. We think he was kept inside all his life and that’s why he’s so scared – everything is new to him.”

The poor mutt was found collapsed and starving on the streets of Oldham last month with such a bad case of sarcoptic mange – a highly contagious dog skin disease – he had virtually no fur and his skin was cracked and infected.

The Mastiffs are usually used as fighting dogs in Pakistan and Kenny was in such a bad way his carers had to collect shovel-loads of dead skin from his kennel each day.

Michael, who has been running the animal rescue for 15 years, said Kenny was the worst case of neglect he has ever seen and was so heartbroken after picking up the poorly pooch he cried.

But thanks to daily baths in special medicated shampoo, Kenny’s condition is improving.

“Someone called into the centre and told us there was a dog dying on the street. When we got there Kenny was just collapsed, he didn’t have the strength to stand,” said Michael.

“He had virtually no fur and sores all over his cracked skin where his mange had been allowed to get so bad. I didn’t think he was going to make it.

“We put him straight into the back of the van to take him to the vets and I just broke down while I was driving. He was the worst thing I have ever seen.

“But he is coming on so well. He’s been having medicated baths and he’s actually got some fur now and we’re starting to see his cheeky character come out.

As Kenny’s mange is still contagious, he faces a wait before he can be put up for adoption.

But Michael is sure whoever does give Kenny his forever home will be getting a ‘cracking’ – albeit very slobbery – companion.

“Whoever takes him in will be getting a cracking dog, that’s for sure. He is absolutely lovely even if he does slobber a lot,” he said.