As the largest dog breed in the world, Great Danes love the outdoors, like this grey Great Dane who is enjoying the fresh air.

What is the Biggest Dog in The World?

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Almost every time we walk past a huge Great Dane or Irish Wolfhound, the same thought goes through our heads: “that HAS to be the biggest dog in the world!”

Of course, it’s unlikely you’ve actually walked past a dog that should be in the book of Guinness World Records. Some dogs are considered to have ‘gigantic proportions‘, yes, but when it comes to determining who’s actually the biggest dog in the world there are two answers.

That’s because you can measure size in either height or weight. And dogs seem to be either really heavy or really tall, but generally not really heavy AND really tall. Which is probably a good thing – can you imagine a Great Dane built like a rugby player?

Read more about the biggest dog in the world by height…

Biggest dog in the world? World’s tallest dog…

The current ‘World’s Tallest Dog’ and the ‘Tallest Living Dog’ Guinness World Records title holders were both Great Danes, and weirdly enough they were both named Zeus!*

Perhaps Zeus, meaning the supreme god of ancient Greek mythology, sums up the personality of the biggest dogs in the world?

A woman hugging the biggest dog in the world in a field.

Biggest dog in the world by height

In any case, the first Zeus was the Great Dane crowned in 2012 and 2013 as the ‘World’s Tallest Dog’ according to Guinness Book of World Records. This fabulously giant dog from Otsego, Michigan, measured in at 112cm in 2011 and died in September 2014 at the age of almost 6 years.

No one has surpassed him yet, but the Guinness World Records now has a category called the ‘Tallest Dog Living’. Maybe it was so others could get a chance to shine… Who knows how long it will be before a dog grows to beyond 112cm. That’s some seriously awesome height.

Most recent ‘Tallest Dog Living’ title holder

Still, “paw-some” is definitely a phrase that describes the next Zeus in world record town. This grey and brown American Great Dane was born in Bedford, Texas in November 2019. When the Guinness World Record holder for ‘Tallest Dog Living (male)’ was awarded to him he stood at 105cm (3 ft 5.18 in).

Sadly, Zeus number two has also now died. He passed away in September 2023 during the early hours of the morning with his head gently resting in mum Brittany’s lap.

The record is now once again open for new contenders as we bid farewell to the gentle giant Zeus. That’s one hefty dog mountain they’ll need to surpass.

More about his pup-personality

It’s not hard to believe that this most recent Zeus was the largest pup in a litter of five! He lived at home with his three miniature Australian Shepherd siblings. Zeb was his favourite brother and he loved wrestling with him.

Those interested in owning a large breed should be prepared to spend quite a bit of money on dog food, says Brittany Davis (Zeus’s mom). Zeus was fuelled by six cups of large breed dog food in the morning and six cups in the afternoon. Occasionally, this colossal canine enjoyed a fried egg and ice cubes, his favourite treat.

The baby’s pacifier was one of Zeus’ favourite things to steal off the counters, and any food left on the kitchen counters was also fair game.

Pet proofing for dogs big and small

Dogs often have interesting ‘habits’ like stealing food off counters or chewing your furniture to shreds. This might be enough to motivate you into pet proofing your home (and knowing how to pet proof your car)! And while you wait for them to grow out of the baby stage, here’s our puppy teething survival guide.

More big dog facts on Zeus

Here are some fast facts about Zeus the Great Dane:

Zeus
Height105cm (3 ft 5.18 in)
Great Dane Lifespan8-to-10 years
FromTexas, USA
QuirksScared of rain

Remembering Zeus in action

Can’t quite picture what a 105cm dog looks like? Luckily, there are videos of the biggest dog in the world, so you don’t need to use your imagination:

Biggest dog in the world by weight

Some dogs are naturally heavier than others, obviously. But because of a rise in obesity, diabetes in dogs, and other weight-related health issues, there’s no longer a title awarded for the heaviest dog in the world by Guinness World Records.

When there was one, the Saint Bernard and Old English Mastiff were jointly recognised for the title.

If you own one of these giant breeds, you’ll need to make sure your budget covers ‘big dog stuff’. Big dog beds, big dog toys and food tend to come with bigger price tags than small ones. After all, you’re basically feeding and sheltering a small pony! 😂

Looking pensively at the sky, a Saint Bernard is contemplating whether he is the world's biggest dog or not.
In the Alps, Saint Bernards were once known for rescuing travellers who were lost or trapped in avalanches.

The top 10 largest dog breeds in the world

Without further ado, here are the top 10 big wigs of the dog world:

1. Great Dane

2. Irish Wolfhound

3. English Mastiff

4. Saint Bernard

5. Leonberger

6. Newfoundland

7. Anatolian Shepherd Dog (Kangal)

8. Pyrenean Mountain Dog

9. Scottish Deerhound

10. Hungarian Kuvasz

Things to consider about big dog breeds

If you’re thinking of getting one of the biggest dogs in the world – even if not THE biggest – make sure you understand their specific needs. It’s important to realise they need the correct nutrition to support their large frame as they grow, for a start. Most importantly, your vet can advise you on a good diet.

Your big dog’s health can also be boosted by fresh whole foods like sweet potato, celery and cauliflower (to name a few) that are full of live enzymes. Moreover, whole foods contain fibre, which aids digestion and improves stool quality.

Why not give our what can dogs eat and what bones can dogs eat articles a read. Also learn about things that can poison your pet (food, plants and more). Meanwhile, a sneaky way to get your fussy fur kid to eat their veggies is to make a big deal out of it. Dogs are very intuitive creatures, often taking their cues from their hoomans. If you’re excited about that carrot stick, they’ll be too!

One of the biggest dog breeds in the world, the Pyrenean Mountain dog stares ahead.
Known for their great devotion to family, the Great Pyrenean Mountain Dog is a peaceful and well-behaved companion.

Health conditions to watch out for

There are a few health conditions you may want to research. By and large, hip dysplasia in dogs is more common in bigger breeds, as is arthritis in dogs and cruciate ligament problems. They also tend to have a shorter lifespan overall than small dog breeds.

Look out for entropion too, something that occurs when the eyelids in dogs roll inwards or outwards. As a result, the eyelashes constantly rub against the cornea, irritating it. The disease is not exclusive to large breed dogs, but it’s nevertheless important to be aware of. Recurring conjunctivitis and other eye infections, and eye ulcers are all likely symptoms of entropion.

All those cute puppy habits need to be kept in check too, much more so than with a smaller dog.

If your giant Great Dane excitedly jumps up at someone or your Saint Bernard tugs hard on the lead while you’re walking them, there could be injuries aplenty. So, puppy training is a non-negotiable with giant breeds. Perhaps you should look into third party liability pet insurance too.

Our award-winning dog insurance plan keeps it real, like your Newfoundland dog pictured here.
Despite their size, Newfoundland dogs make great playmates for children.

Why should you switch to PD Insurance?

Why not? Our award-winning dog insurance plans keep it real, like your big ‘ole pup. They’re simple and low in cost yet full of value, with quick claims and no lock-in contracts.

Is your gentle giant already insured elsewhere? We’ve got you. We’ll pay money towards your switching fee your current insurer charges and waive any waiting periods if your pet has been insured for 12 months or more. Nothing to lose, plenty to gain…

*At the time of writing

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