Featured Image Credit: Guinness World Records
Topics: Animals, Dogs, US News, World News
Poppy Bilderbeck
Topics: Animals, Dogs, US News, World News
A Great Dane named Zeus has nabbed the top spot for the tallest living male dog in the world.
The two-year-old canine from Bedford, Texas has taken over the crown from another dog similarly called Zeus who was from Michigan who sadly passed away in 2014.
Zeus' mega height and status as the world's tallest male dog has since been confirmed by Guinness World Records.
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Zeus' height measures an impressive three feet and 5.18 inches (1.046 metres).
The grey and brown Great Dane pup is also only two years old.
Zeus' owner, Brittany Davis, told Guinness Book of World Records: "We didn’t think that was even a possibility but once we measured him, we realised he probably was.
"This has been a whirlwind and unexpected. We never thought we would own the largest living dog."
Brittany first got Zeus when he was eight weeks old.
"He's been a big dog since we got him, even for a puppy. He had huge paws," she said.
While Zeus' mega size would make him perfect for Great Danes' original intended purpose - hog hunting and protecting women - Brittany joked how Zeus would be 'absolutely terrified of a hog'.
"He's scared of rain, so hogs are out of the question," she said.
It's no surprise that Zeus gets a lot of attention - as a staggering three foot dog, he'd be pretty hard to miss.
However, Brittany explained he's 'pretty famous' at the Dallas Farmers' Market.
"Everyone knows him, and the vendors all know him," she said. "He gets extra treats and lots of attention."
Despite Zeus' size being not dissimilar to that of a horse, Brittany explained she often has to tell people he doesn't have a saddle and cannot be ridden.
Zeus is one of four dogs at home and even lives with a cat named Penelope.
However, while he gets along with his three Australian Shepherd siblings, Brittany explained Zeus and 'the cat have a mutual agreement to stay away from each other'.
With great height also comes great opportunity to nab things from places too high for other animals to reach.
Brittany noted Zeus often steals 'the baby's pacifier off the counters' or really 'any food left' on the side.
He also jumps 'onto the fence' between Brittany's house and next door to 'talk to the neighbour's dogs'.
While she loves Zeus, Brittany warned potential big dog owners to really consider the commitment which comes with having such a large pet.
Zeus requires a total of 12 cups of 'Gentle Giants' large breed dog food each day - six in the morning and six in the afternoon - which Brittany noted becomes expensive.
However, she explained that having such a large dog is like 'having another person' in the family.
Reflecting once more on his new title of world's tallest living male dog, Brittany concluded: "We get a lot of comments like 'Wow, that's the tallest dog I've ever seen', so it’s cool to now be able to say 'Yes, it's definitely the tallest dog you've ever seen!'
"That always shocks people and it’s fun to be able to say that."
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