Prepare to be enthralled, dog lovers! You are about to witness dogs that are so large that your eyes will not believe what they are seeing. These cuddly companions will undoubtedly guard you and your home from harm. Despite their size, some of them are absolute sweethearts! Are you already intrigued? Learn about the world’s largest dog, the breed that holds the record, and the name of the dog that is officially the largest.
Domestic pets are a rare occurrence. We look after them and consider them to be family members. When you’re sick of people and social situations, you can spend time with your pet, who will always be there for you. Dogs are unique animals: although deriving from violent wolves, they are the most cherished and affectionate pets.
The best companion you can ever have is a dog. All those sappy dog movies confirm it — we all tear our eyes out when we see them. It’s difficult to tell which dog breed is the greatest, but many people have their own tastes, which are influenced by a variety of circumstances. One of these factors is frequently the size of the dog.
World’s biggest dog – which one is it?
Although all dogs are welcome, many people, particularly those who live in rural areas, prefer larger dogs to serve as guards of their homes and ensure that no one tries to break in. As a result, they’d like to know the answer to the query, “What is the world’s largest dog?”
We completed all the legwork for you because conducting in-depth research can take a long time. You’ll not only get the answers to questions like “What is the world’s largest dog?” and “What is its backstory?” but you’ll also see how the world’s largest dog breeds rank and learn more about them. It’s difficult to pick just one of these lovely hounds because they all need to be loved and cared for.
Before we get to the rankings, here are some interesting facts about the world’s largest dog, according to the Guinness World Records book. These are going to blow your mind!
Largest dog in the world
According to the Guinness World Records 2018 edition, Freddy is the world’s largest dog. He shattered the previous record and became the world’s tallest living dog. Freddy is a massive Great Dane with a height of 1.035 meters (3 feet 4.17 inches). Claire Stoneman, the owner of this huge hound, resides in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.
Claire gushes over her enormous pet, explaining that she received him a few weeks sooner than she should have because Freddy was having trouble feeding off his mother. The Great Dane was just a typical puppy at the time, with no indication that he would grow to be so large. Claire had no idea he’d grow to be that big, let alone the world’s largest dog and a Guinness World Record holder. Claire has another dog besides Freddy: his sister Fleur, who isn’t nearly as big as her brother.
Claire claims that she has to spend 10,000 pounds on pet food every year because Freddy’s diet is special due to his size. Every day, the proprietor claims, he requires 250g of casserole stick, 300g of liver, and 1kg of minced beef. Freddy is a troublemaker in general, having damaged a total of twenty-six sofas with Fleur. While Claire was at work, they simply chewed on the furniture until it became unattractive and unusable. Despite this, Freddy is an endearing and affectionate hound. He especially enjoys having his paws massaged.
Who is the biggest dog ever?
Freddy is not the tallest dog in history; rather, he is the tallest dog alive today. Zeus, who, like Freddy, was a Great Dane, was given the honorary title. Kevin Doorlag, a veterinary technician from Otsego, Michigan, who adopted the hound with his wife Denise, was his owner. Zeus weighed 155 pounds and stood 111.8 cm (3 feet 8 inches) tall. By the way, Zeus was 223 cm (7 feet 4 inches) tall when he stood on his hind legs! In 2012 and 2013, he was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. The fact that the former bearer of the title, Giant George, was also a Great Dane and was only one inch shorter than his successor is an interesting fact. Zeus had to eat 30 lbs of dog chow per day due to his size. Zeus’s owner referred to him as a “gentle giant.”
The Doorlag family adopted Zeus, a Great Dane, when he was just eight weeks old. They obtained the puppy from a couple who had recently had a litter. They fell in love with Zeus right away, according to Kevin Doorlag. He eventually became a registered therapy animal, visiting hospitals and providing comfort to patients by sitting on their laps. Kevin was ecstatic to observe how people reacted when Zeus interacted with them, as it appeared that this puppy’s sole mission was to make everyone smile.
Denise, Kevin’s wife, recalled some of the strangest queries about Zeus. People inquired as to whether he was riding a horse and where his saddle could be found. However, the pair was generally grateful that people embraced and loved their pet so much, and they recognised that he had a significant impact on many people’s lives. Zeus had a popular Facebook page with a significant following, which was taken down after his death by the owners. He died when he was only five years old, just before his sixth birthday. The causes of death were natural, and Kevin stated that his cat had been showing signs of old age for some time. Despite the fact that Zeus is no longer alive, his name will live on in history as the world’s largest dog.
The heaviest dog ever
If we consider weight rather than size, there was a Mastiff dog that weighed a whopping 365 pounds! Cloe was a Tibetan man who lived in the 1980s. Despite the fact that Mastiffs are a massive breed, the average weight of one is 190 pounds, which is roughly twice Cloe’s. When this dog reached the age of eight in 1989, he was the size of a huge donkey.
The biggest dog in the world rating
Now that you’ve heard some unusual puppy stories, it’s time to vote for the best dog. If you’re thinking about getting a giant dog, have a look at the list of the world’s largest canines to see which ones pique your interest.
10. French Mastiff
Because of their piercing gaze and solemn attitude, this dog breed may appear threatening at first glance. However, don’t be deceived by the cover; French mastiff dogs, also known as “Bordeaux mastiff” or “Dogue de Bordeaux,” are extremely cuddly, caring, and loyal to their owners.
These dogs have a strong and muscular build that allows them to assist in hauling dog carts and carrying large goods. They’ve also honed their protecting talents. Long ago, French mastiffs guarded the castles of European aristocrats. This breed’s dogs can weigh up to 140 pounds and have a height of up to 26 inches.
9. Anatolian Shepherd
This dog breed is also known as “Karabash” and comes from ancient Turkey. Large dog breeds often have a shorter lifespan than small dog breeds, but the Anatolian shepherd is an exception: the average longevity of this breed is 13-15 years, which is one of the reasons why you should consider buying one.
However, keep in mind that Anatolian shepherds are not recommended for families with children because they can be aggressive. Typically, these dogs are utilized as guard dogs, as they protect cattle and have a fast enough speed to track down numerous predators. The typical weight of an Anatolian shepherd is 140 pounds, and their height can exceed 32 inches.
8. Newfoundland
This breed is very large and has a great capacity to learn. Originally, the Newfoundland puppies were bred for assisting Canadian fishers with their work, but later they started performing many more tasks and even acting like life saviours.
There is a popular story circulating about the Newfoundland dog Rigel saving people in one of the lifeboats on the sinking ship Titanic, and making sure they got noticed by the rescue team from the Carpathia ship. Also, there is a very famous fictional dog of this breed – her name is Nana, and she is from the Peter Pan play. In this work by J.M. Barrie, she watches over children. Newfoundland dogs truly make wonderful pets and companions. Their weight can reach up to 150 pounds, while their height is 29 inches average.
7. Neapolitan Mastiff
The dogs of this breed normally possess a high level of intelligence and independence. Despite what you might think, they are actually very quiet. However, their guard skills are exceptional: they are incredibly protective of their owners. Their appearance is quite fearsome, and the owners of large properties often obtain these dogs for protection purposes. Just like the other Mastiff dogs, this one is quite large: its height at the shoulders is 31 inches, and they weigh up to 150 pounds.
6. Leonberger
This breed is one of the biggest ones, and also one of the noblest and beautiful. They are also very affectionate and passionate, like the Newfoundlands, only they can reach even bigger sizes. The Leonbergers have a double coat, muscular body, and intelligent look in their eyes. Every person who loves large and smart dogs would enjoy having a Leonberger at home. Quite often, they serve as search and rescue dogs and are successful in this job. The average weight of a male dog of this breed is 170 pounds, and they can also be around 31 inches tall.
5. Irish wolfhound
As it can be seen from the name, the Irish wolfhound breed originally came from Ireland and was used for hunting the wolves. Even though the Irish wolfhound dogs have a harsh background, they are very sociable (if you work with them properly) and adapt perfectly to family life. They are one of the tallest dog breeds and are suited for the countryside rather than the urban way of life. They usually reach 180 pounds in height with their enormously long legs, and their weight is averagely 32 inches.
4. Great Dane
There is a reason why this breed had so many world record breakers, the impressive stories of which you have read above. The Great Danes are very easy-going and full of joy, but being an owner of such a sizable dog is a huge commitment. The hounds of this breed are very often fondly called “the Apollo of dogs.”
They are sweet and loving, but despite this, they are also excellent at guarding homes and scaring off intruders. By the way, probably the most popular fictional Great Dane, who also showed the amazing nature of this breed to people of all ages, is none other than the famous cartoon character Scooby-Doo. An average height of a Great Dane is 32-34 inches, and weight fluctuates between 150 and 180 pounds.
3. Saint Bernard
The St. Bernard dogs are very loyal, friendly, affectionate, and always drooling. They received their name after the hospice St. Bernard, where they were originally helping out with comforting injured people.
Nowadays, people from all over the world fondly adopt this hound into their home. They are very versatile and obedient, and they possess a massive strength. It is not surprising, because a St. Bernard is one of the heaviest dogs in the world. The weight of such a dog reaches 200 pounds average, and some of them even go up to 260 pounds. As for their height, it ranges around 35 inches.
2. Caucasian Shepherd
This breed, also known as “Ovcharka,” originally came from the Caucasian mountains and have gained popularity among the lovers of large dogs. They are gorgeous pets who have a loyal look in their eyes and can give the best hugs due to their fluffy coat. However, note that they only get truly attached to the owners who can find a good approach to them.
Without discipline and love, they can get aggressive, especially with the other canines – no wonder this breed is frequently used to guard livestock. If you are an experienced dog owner who can get along with such a shepherd, then it will make your nights a little warmer. An average height of Caucasian Shepherd is 30 inches, and as for the weight, it is up to 220 pounds.
1. English Mastiff
A beautiful English Mastiff is a dream of everyone who always wanted to get themselves a large furry companion. Not a single burglar will consider invading the home of the English Mastiff owner. Usually, their weight exceeds all expectations, ranging from 200 to 230 pounds. Speaking of height, it is 36 inches average. However, despite all the measurements that might let you think this dog is scary, the experience of canine owners proves the opposite: the English Mastiffs are sweet and loyal.
The story of the biggest dog in the world is fascinating, and we believe you were impressed by it. The big dog breeds definitely deserve more love, as they are great at showing affection and protecting their owners from different dangers of the world.