Biggest dog in the world was a towering 'gentle giant': Here's who claimed the title

Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY
·3 min read

Looking at a Great Dane next to a Chihuahua can be pretty comical. While Great Danes often stand around 32 inches tall, a Chihuahua’s average height is under 9 inches.

Geneticists are still on the hunt for an explanation. In this age of modern domestication, why are the largest dog breeds up to 40 times bigger than the smallest? While the answer remains unclear, scientists have found a growth hormone variant that traces back to ancient wolves.

So, what are the biggest dogs across the canine world? Here are the pups that take the crown.

What is the biggest dog in the world?

The most recent title holder was Kevin, a 3-year-old Great Dane from West Des Moines, Iowa. He stood at a stately 3 feet, 2 inches tall but his owners described him as a “gentle giant.”

Sadly, Kevin died less than two weeks after the Guinness Book of World Records crowned him the world’s tallest living dog. He was 3 years old.

"We are so glad that he was able to break the record and have that light on him," owner Tracy Wolfe told USA TODAY. "He absolutely adored the attention. I wish these giant breeds, and all dogs, could live longer than they do. It’s never enough time."

The tallest dog living is Kevin, who measured 3 feet, 2 inches tall from West Des Moines, Iowa, died in late March 2024 after falling ill, his owners told Guinness World Records.
The tallest dog living is Kevin, who measured 3 feet, 2 inches tall from West Des Moines, Iowa, died in late March 2024 after falling ill, his owners told Guinness World Records.

Guinness World Records has not yet declared another tallest living dog. The previous two record holders were both Great Danes named Zeus.

The late Zeus from Otsego, Michigan still boasts the title of world’s tallest dog ever. He stood just over 3 feet, 8 inches tall and was 7 feet, 4 inches on his hind legs. Despite an intimidating stature, owner Kevin Doorlag said his only transgression was slobbering on strangers. He regularly visited schools and hospitals as a therapy dog. Zeus died at age 5 in September 2014.

According 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. In 1987, Zorba weighed 343 pounds and measured 8 feet, 3 inches from nose to tail.

Biggest dog breeds

The English Mastiff is the breed with the largest dogs. Male Mastiffs typically measure 30 inches or taller, and female Mastiffs will normally clock in around 27.5 inches or taller. The average weight for an English Mastiff is 160-230 pounds for a male and 120-170 pounds for a female dog. They typically live between 6 and 10 years, the American Kennel Club reports.

Here are some of the largest dog breeds by weight and height:

What is the smallest dog in the world?

The world’s smallest dog is Pearl, a 1.22-pound Chihuahua born in 2020. The Guinness World Record-holding pup is a mere 3.59 inches tall and 5 inches long.

Chihuahuas are the smallest dog breed in the world and typically weigh no more than 6 pounds.

How long do dogs live?: Dog life expectancy based on breed and size

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biggest dog in the world: Largest breeds and record holders

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