Who Is the Biggest Dog in the World? Current & All-Time Records (2024 Update)

Dogs are incredible creatures. They are strong, intelligent, and loyal, and set new records every single day! Some dogs can jump over a 75-inch obstacle; others have 13-inch ears. And what about the largest pup? According to Guinness, Zorba, a sweet-tempered Mastiff, was the longest and heaviest dog in history. Zeus (a Great Dane), in turn, was the tallest canine on record. Sadly, Zeus passed away in September 2023.

So, how big are these dogs, exactly? Which pup holds the title of the largest four-legged bud today? And more importantly, how do you take care of a beast like that? Join us, and let’s go over the biggest dogs to ever live, talk about the largest breeds, and learn the secret “formula” that turns some canines into giants!

 

No Living Record Holders

Since Zeus’s passing in late 2023, there are currently no record holders for the world’s largest dog. But let’s go through some of the history’s biggest and tallest dogs:

Zorba: The Longest Dog of All Time

Back in 1987 (September, to be exact), Zorba, a gigantic Old English Mastiff, was officially recognized as the longest dog on the planet. With a nose-to-tail length of eight feet and three inches (99 inches or 2.54 meters), this London-born beast easily beat the competition and took the number one spot. Born in 1981, Aicama Zorba of La-Susa (that’s this majestic canine citizen’s name) was owned by Chris Eraclides.

Unfortunately, Zorba died in 1992, but before passing away, he managed to set yet another record! In 1987, Zorba became the heaviest dog in the entire world, weighing 314 pounds (143 kg). Two years later, in 1989, he was still the heaviest canine, this time rated at 343–345 pounds (around 155 kg). Zorba was also quite tall at 37 inches (94 cm) in 1989). Just imagine meeting an imposing beast like that in real life!

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Benedictine: The Heaviest Dog in History

Zorba’s reign in Guinness didn’t last that long. In 1989, his record was topped by Benedictine, a mighty Saint Bernard doggo. Back then, this canine weighed 357 pounds (162 kg), setting an absolute new record that still holds to this day. That’s right: Benedictine has been the heaviest dog known to humankind for more than three decades now. To put things into perspective, the average Saint only weighs 140–220 pounds!

Hercules, a 282-pound English Mastiff, became the heaviest living dog in 2001. However, he wasn’t quite as impressive as Benedictine.

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Zeus From Michigan: The Tallest Dog to Walk the Earth

Alright, that’s it for the heftiest canines out there, but what about the tallest dogs? Meet Zeus, a colossal pet that measured 44 inches (118 cm) in height. When standing on his hind legs, he could easily reach 7 feet and 4 inches (that’s 88 inches). This Great Dane was born in Otsego (Michigan) and lived a great, honorable life as a therapy dog, helping folks in local hospitals.

Denise Doorlag, the owner, claimed that the dog would eat 12 cups/30 pounds of food daily. He wasn’t that heavy at 155 pounds (70 kg). Unfortunately, Zeus died when he was just five years old (the dog was born on November 22, 2008, and passed away on September 3, 2014). He set the record as the tallest dog in the world in 2011. And, to this day, his record is still not broken. Others did come close, though.

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Giant George: The Second-Tallest Pup in the World

Before Zeus entered the competition, Giant George, a fellow Dane, was registered by Guinness as the lankiest canine. While there was some speculation about his actual height, an official measurement determined that the dog was, indeed, 43 inches tall. That made him just an inch shorter than Zeus, yet taller than Titan, his predecessor, and Gibson, the doggo before him.

When Giant George left the world of the living to join his ancestors, Freddy, yet another Great Dane, took his spot. Hailing from Essex, England, he reached 40.75 inches in his prime. A funny fact about this dog: he was a big fan of chewing on sofas. Together with his sister (Fleur), they had devoured 26 couches in Claire Stoneman’s house! Freddy died in early 2021 at the age of eight.

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Zeus From Texas: The Most Recent Tallest Canine

Which dog held the title of the tallest doggo in 2023? You might be surprised, but this champion’s name was also Zeus, and it’s also a Great Dane. That’s quite a coincidence! However, this record-breaker was born in Bedford, Texas. Standing at 39 inches (or a little over one meter), Zeus was the tallest living dog.

Sadly, Zeus from Texas passed away on September 11th, 2023. He was only 3 years old. Zeus had developed bone cancer in one of his front legs and had it amputated on September 7th. The surgery weakened him, and he died of pneumonia a few days later.

He left behind many fond memories. Brittany Davis, the lucky owner, told Guinness she’d always dreamed of having a Great Dane as a pet. One day, her brother, Garrett, brought home a two-month-old puppy. Brittany named him Zeus, and they instantly became best friends, although she was a bit worried about the pet’s size. Even as a pup, he was bigger than his peers. Zeus shared the house with three Australian Shepherds and a cat.

And, just like the “original” Zeus, he ate A LOT: 12 cups of large-breed food (six cups in the morning and six cups in the afternoon). As for the treats, ice cubes and bully sticks were the highlights of this dog’s day. The Davis family felt blessed to have him in their lives, if only for a short time.

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Honorable Mentions: Boomer and Euphrates

Back in 2009, a mighty Landseer dog named Boomer made some headlines after the Associated Press introduced him to the world. While this pup wasn’t as big as Zeus or Zorba, his weight (180 pounds) and length (seven feet or 84 inches) still deserved the attention. After all, Boomer was so big that he could drink from the kitchen counter’s faucet while standing! Sadly, he died in 2012 at the age of six.

As for Euphrates, the only female on the list, she was just as heavy (180 pounds) and reached six feet when standing on her hind legs. An American Molossus, she had a loving, caring personality and didn’t bring her owner, Jared Howser, much trouble. This lady was still making heads turn, though.

The Largest Dog Breeds: A Quick Guide

There are quite a few breeds out there that are recognized by the AKC, UKC, and other respected clubs as giants. The list includes Great Danes, Saint Bernards, Mastiffs, Newfoundland dogs, and, of course, the lovely Cane Corso. Now, the definition of a large dog varies a bit depending on the sources. But, on average, a large dog is a pup that weighs between 50 and 70 pounds.

Also, it should be at least 24 inches tall to be considered a giant. If you’re not sure whether your four-legged bud is a giant breed or not, you can talk to a veterinarian. Or try reaching out to a local animal shelter or help center. And here’s a full list of the largest breeds according to the AKC:

Why Are Some Canines So Big? What’s the Secret?

If we compare a Chihuahua to a St. Bernard, we’ll see that the Saint is almost ten times bigger! So, what does science have to say about this? Well, while there’s no consensus on this just yet, many scientists believe that this has to do with a gene mutation that turns some canines into toy animals and others into giants. Also, it’s said that dogs share this gene with wolves.

Owning a Large Dog: The Challenges

Giant dogs are strong, hard-working, and protective, not to mention loyal, obedient, and affectionate. However, large canines can sometimes be a bit overwhelming. First, they mature slower compared to smaller dogs. So, to protect their joints, you should only exercise with a big dog for 30–40 minutes. Next, these beasts can be aggressive if not trained properly. Adult Corsos or Mastiffs are often bigger/heavier than their owners!

That’s why they’re not recommended around children. Another con: large pets need big beds, crates, toys, and, of course, portions of food. And the more the dog eats, the higher the bill is going to be. Meds and treatments for big dogs also tend to be more expensive. Lastly, while most giant canines can live happily in relatively small apartments, ideally, they should have access to an outdoor area to stretch their legs.

And here’s how you take care of a giant dog:

 

Conclusion

Some folks prefer toy dogs; others find average-size pups to be perfect. And if you’re a big fan of large breeds, we bet you’ll be fascinated by the sheer size of Zorba, Zeus, and other giant dogs. Now, we’re happy to say that despite their imposing size, most big dogs are very sweet and affectionate. Also, a mighty beast like that will easily scare away potential intruders.

That said, giant canines do require special care, training, medical attention, and diet. For example, a big boy like Zeus used to eat 30 pounds of food per day! So, if you’re planning on adopting a Great Dane, English Mastiff, or Anatolian Shepherd puppy, make sure you’re up to the challenge!

• See Also: 14 Tallest Dog Breeds: Pictures & Facts

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Featured Image Credit: Dmussman, Shutterstock