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We all know that Great Danes are absolutely massive! But what you might not know is that the past two tallest dogs that were recorded in history have been Great Danes themselves. This breed is the tallest of all dogs, even overpowering that of an Irish Wolfhound and other large breeds.
Tall and lanky, Zeus II and his predecessor, the original Zeus, have taken the world by storm. They each have their shared names in the record books as being the tallest dogs in the world. Unfortunately, the original Zeus is no longer with us, but his memory will live on through actual history books.
In this article, we’re going to get to know each one of these dogs better.
Zeus: The Original
The original Zeus that was the biggest dog in the world was a black Great Dane. He lived with his owners Kevin and Denise Doorlag in Otsego, Michigan. Zeus’ height and weight were 3 feet 10 inches tall, but over 7 feet tall when standing on his hind legs, and 155 pounds.
He lived a wonderful but short life. Interestingly, he ended up dying of old age, but the number is still so small!
How Old Was Zeus When He Died?
Zeus was just 5 years old. Due to their size, Great Danes have one of the shortest lifespans of all dogs, living only 7–10 years on average. The bigger the dog is, the faster their body tends to age. Since Zeus’ body was bigger, it could have decreased the lifespan even more, which could account for the few years difference with the average.
Zeus II: The Current Champion
The new champion for the tallest living dog in the world is also named Zeus, or Zeus II. He is from Bedford, Texas, and is both brown and black with a harlequin pattern.
Zeus II broke the world record for the tallest living dog, standing 3 feet, 5.18 inches high.
About Great Danes
If you are totally enthralled by the size of both Zeus Great Danes, you might be thinking about getting one for yourself. But is a Great Dane right for you? You can decide for yourself, but we can tell you a little more information about the breed itself.
Breed History
The Great Dane was developed over 400 years ago in their native land of Germany. These dogs displayed qualities of guardianship, companionship, and dependability, which is the reason they are still so notably popular today.
Physical Appearance
You might know a little bit about what Great Danes look like already, permitting you’ve seen pictures! These dogs are long-legged and lanky with drooping jowls and lean muscle structures.
Since they are larger, it might look like they are too thin as their skin tends to hang on their bones. This is more an act of gravity than it is an actual problem. In fact, if a Great Dane gains too much weight, it can be absolutely detrimental to their bone health.
Great Danes are very susceptible to issues like hip and elbow dysplasia as well as other joint-related issues like arthritis. It is important to keep them in a healthy way to prevent mobility issues later in life.
Exercise
Great Danes require a moderate amount of exercise. Because of their large physiques, it is important to only perform appropriate exercise with them to prevent any type of injury. Great Danes, while large, acclimate very well into smaller living spaces if they have the right amount of exercise outside of the home.
Fun-loving and excitable, the Dane will absolutely enjoy having other dogs and kids in the home. They also enjoy a series of games like fetch, scavenger hunts, and tug-of-war. Despite their large size, these dogs can be very mannerly walking on the leash.
Diet
Due to a Great Dane’s size, they require a very high-quality dog food that contains a high amount of protein to keep up with their growing bodies and help them maintain their structure throughout their adulthood.
As you can imagine, Great Danes can be very expensive to feed. As adults, they require quite a bit of dog food to help them maintain their bodily weight and muscle structure.
Pet Potential
Great Danes can make amazing pets for a variety of lifestyles. Despite their size, these dogs tend to be fantastic with children and other pets. At times, the Great Dane might show same-sex dog aggression, so buying from a licensed, reputable breeder is essential.
However, these dogs tend to not be very rambunctious, so their size tends to not be too problematic in homes.
Health Issues
Health depends greatly on the overall genetics that play into each litter. Some Great Danes might be extremely healthy while others are more prone to different health concerns.
- Hip or elbow dysplasia
- Bloat
- Cardiomyopathy
- Entropion
Proper vetting is crucial to ensure the health and livelihood of your pooch.
Other Large Breeds
Great Danes might hold the record twice running for the tallest dog in the world, but they aren’t the only big boys to mention!
Conclusion
Hopefully, you learned some valuable information about the tallest Great Dane in the world! Even though Zeus might have crossed the Rainbow Bridge, his mark remains. There is another Zeus behind to carry his legacy and give more attention to the stunning Great Dane breed.
Featured Image Credit: mtajmr, Pixabay
