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Determining what makes a good dog is subjective, often influenced by recent behavior like chewing shoes or stealing food from the kitchen.
The title of a big dog is based solely on measurable factors like height and weight, which can be compared to other dogs to claim the title of the world's largest. Over the years, several dogs have competed for this distinction. Explore our list of canines that might even rival Clifford in size.
1. Zeus
The title of the world’s biggest dog hinges on how one defines 'biggest.' If measured from paws to shoulders, the towering Great Danes often dominate, with Zeus being the tallest among them. Hailing from Otsego, Michigan, Zeus stood 44 inches tall and could reach an astonishing 7 feet, 4 inches on his hind legs. As a certified therapy dog, he brought comfort to patients in local hospitals. During walks, people often joked if he had a saddle. Zeus passed away in 2015 at age 6 and was recognized by Guinness World Records in 2011 as the Tallest Dog Ever, surpassing Giant George by an inch.
2. Freddy
Freddy, another towering Great Dane, stood 40.75 inches tall and lived in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, England. His diet included two pounds of minced beef, casserole steak, and liver daily, but he also had a penchant for devouring sofas. His owner, Claire Stoneman, told The Telegraph that Freddy and his sister, Fleur, destroyed 26 couches. Sadly, Freddy passed away in 2021 at the age of 8.
3. Zeus
Following Freddy’s passing in 2021, another Great Dane named Zeus claimed the title of World’s Tallest Dog. This Texas-based giant stands at 3 feet, 5.18 inches tall and is a familiar face at the Dallas Farmer’s Market. His owner, Brittany Davis, shared, 'Everyone knows him, and all the vendors adore him. He gets extra treats and plenty of attention.'
4. Aicama Zorba of La-Susa
This Old English mastiff from London, England, earned recognition from Guinness in 2008 for being the longest dog ever recorded at the time, measuring an astonishing 8 feet, 3 inches from nose to tail in 1987. Guinness also named Zorba the world’s heaviest dog, tipping the scales at 343 pounds in 1989. While male mastiffs typically reach up to 230 pounds, Zorba’s size far surpassed the norm for his breed. Though he would have been a viral sensation today, Zorba’s fame came through photographs—some featured in the video above—and an appearance on Late Night with David Letterman in 1989.
5. Boomer
In 2009, the Associated Press featured Boomer, a Landseer dog who stretched 7 feet in length and weighed 180 pounds. Though not as towering as others on this list (standing at 36 inches, he fell short of the Guinness minimum height requirement of 40 inches for record consideration), Boomer’s size was still impressive. His tail could clear countertops, and he could drink from the kitchen faucet without jumping up. As a puppy, he grew so rapidly that his abdominal surgery stitches kept tearing. Boomer passed away in 2012 at the age of 6.
6. Euphrates
In March 2018, as a young puppy, Euphrates stood 6 feet tall on her hind legs and weighed more than 180 pounds. She belongs to a rare breed: the American Molossus, created by crossing English and Neapolitan mastiffs. This breed aims to replicate the ancient Mesopotamian Molossus, a giant war dog from 5000 BCE that was bred for battle by Alexander the Great. While Euphrates hasn’t seen combat, her owner, Jared Howser, noted that a series of car break-ins in his area spared his vehicle—likely due to the intimidating presence of this historic war dog.
