Monster mash: New Zealand couple unearth massive potato the size of a small dog

A New Zealand couple has discovered what could be the world’s biggest potato weighing a remarkable 7.9 kilograms.

Colin and Donna Craig-Brown have named the monster spud Doug after digging it up in their garden.

It is the equivalent size of one small dog or sacks of regular potatoes.

“We put a hat on him. We put him on Facebook, taking him for a walk, giving him some sunshine,” they joked.

“It’s all a bit of fun. It’s amazing what entertains people.”

The current Guinness World Records entry for the heaviest potato is a 2011 spud from Britain weighing in at just under 5 kg.

Now the duo have applied to Guinness World Records to have the potato recognised and they are eagerly awaiting a response.

Guinness didn't immediately reply to a request for an update on the application.

A more official weigh-in at a local farming store put the potato at 7.8 kg.

“We couldn’t believe it,” Ms Craig-Brown said. “It was just huge.”

Already the potato has become something of a celebrity around their small farm near Hamilton, New Zealand in the weeks since the find.

The delighted couple even built a small cart to tow the huge potato around.

Doug has been kept in the freezer.

"He was getting a bit pongy," said Mr Craig-Brown, referring to the potato's smell.

They have been considering turning the spud into potato vodka.