Zeus the Great Dane: Two Dogs, Two World Records for Tallest
Great Danes are already the tallest dog breed by AKC standard, but two dogs sharing the same name pushed the category further than anyone expected — more than a decade apart, in two different states.
The original Zeus: tallest dog ever
The first record-holding Zeus lived with Denise Doorlag and her family in Otsego, Michigan. On October 4, 2011, Guinness measured him at 111.8 cm (44 inches) from foot to withers — tall enough to reach 7 feet 4 inches when standing on his hind legs. That measurement still stands as the tallest dog ever officially recorded. This Zeus died on September 3, 2014.
The second Zeus: tallest living dog
A different Great Dane, also named Zeus, was born in 2019 and lived in Bedford, Texas. In May 2022, Guinness confirmed him as the tallest living dog at 1.046 meters (41.16 inches). In August 2023 he was diagnosed with bone cancer and underwent leg amputation surgery; he died on September 12, 2023, at age three.
Why Great Danes keep breaking the record
Great Danes are bred as gentle giants — AKC standard puts adult males around 30 to 32 inches at the shoulder — which already makes them the tallest standard breed. Both record-holding Zeuses ran well past that baseline, which is part of why the “tallest dog” title has stayed in this breed’s hands more often than any other.
Zeus is one of several titleholders in our famous dogs guide, alongside record-breakers like Purin and Bobi.
Frequently asked questions
How tall was the tallest dog ever recorded?
The tallest dog ever recorded was Zeus, a Great Dane from Otsego, Michigan, who measured 44 inches (111.8 cm) from paw to shoulder in October 2011.
Is the tallest-dog Zeus still alive?
No. The original record-holding Zeus died in September 2014. A second Great Dane also named Zeus later held the “tallest living dog” title before dying of bone cancer in September 2023.
What breed holds the most tallest-dog records?
Great Danes dominate Guinness’s tallest-dog category — both the all-time record and the more recent “tallest living” title have belonged to dogs of this breed.
