

The Guinness World Record-holding pup stands just under 4 inches tall. The world’s smallest dog is Milly, a 1-pound Chihuahua born in 2011.


"The answer to all those questions is 'no.'"Īccording to Guinness World Records, the longest and heaviest dog ever recorded was Aicama Zorba of La-Susa, an Old English Mastiff owned by London resident Chris Eraclides. "The comment that we hear most often is 'Wow, that’s a horse!' 'Can I ride him?' or 'Does he have a saddle?'" she said. He eats 12 cups of “Gentle Giants” dog food per day, Davis told Guinness. Today, he enjoys walks around the neighborhood and the local farmer’s market and sleeping by the window. Zeus’ owner, Brittany Davis, was gifted the pup when he was 8 weeks old. At just 3 years old, Zeus is about 41 inches tall and stands at 7 feet, 4 inches on his hind legs. The world’s tallest living dog is coincidentally also named Zeus, a Great Dane from Bedford Texas. However, It’s also important to note that large breed dogs require more space and may require more training than smaller breeds. According to the Guinness World Records, Zeus was 44 inches tall and 7 feet, 4 inches on his hind legs.ĭespite his intimidating height, Zeus’ owner Kevin Doorlag said he regularly visited schools and hospitals as a therapy dog. Large Dog Breeds Large dog breeds can make good pets for seniors since they encourage activity and may be less prone to certain health problems. The biggest dog in the world by height was Zeus, a Great Dane from Otsego, Michigan. So, what are the biggest dogs across the canine world? Here are the largest dogs and breeds to know. In this age of modern domestication, why are the largest dog breeds up to 40 times bigger than the smallest? The answer is still unclear, but scientists found a growth hormone variant that traces back to ancient wolves. Geneticists are trying to find an explanation for this. While Great Danes often stand around 32 inches tall, a Chihuahua’s average height is under 9 inches. Curious about the biggest, most giant dog breeds? These gigantic pups weigh in the 75-150 pound range (or more!).Looking at a Great Dane next to a Chihuahua is quite the sight. A highly active breed will also need a lot more exercise than canine couch potatoes, but all pups deserve basic obedience training, regular walks and daily play time for both physical and mental stimulation.Īnd if you're looking for a pet that's more lap-sized, check out these small and medium dog breeds. All large breeds will require more kibble than their pocket-sized counterparts, but a poodle, for example, will need more frequent haircuts than a boxer. That money can go towards veterinary visits, grooming and food, just to name a few common expenses. Owning a dog can cost about $15,000 or more over its lifetime, according to the American Kennel Club. Many of these breeds are lovable family dogs, too!īefore adopting a large dog, make sure you factor in the time and budget that you're able to realistically provide for your pet. And if you've never cuddled a dog the size of a small pony, you've never lived. Typically tipping the scales at 50-80 pounds (although some varieties may skew slightly larger or smaller), these large dog breeds can be great for families who want an active exercise pal or a pet that's easy to train. Looking to adopt a new furry friend? Bigger isn't always better, of course, but when it comes to finding your perfect canine companion, a teeny-tiny Chihuahua won't exactly make the best jogging buddy.
