Giant George: The Great Dane Who Towered Over the World

When Giant George walked into a room, people stopped and stared. The blue Great Dane from Tucson, Arizona, wasn't just big—he was record-breakingly enormous. At 43 inches from paw to shoulder and weighing in at 245 pounds, George earned his place in the Guinness World Records as the world's tallest living dog in 2010.

For perspective, George was roughly the size of a small pony. He weighed about 100 pounds more than the average Great Dane, and when he stood on his hind legs, he measured over 7 feet tall from nose to tail. His owner, Dave Nasser, had to buy him a queen-size bed because regular dog beds were laughably inadequate.

A Gentle Giant With an Enormous Appetite

Feeding George was practically a part-time job. He consumed 110 pounds of food every month—that's nearly 4 pounds of food per day. His typical meal was a mix of dog food, rotisserie chicken, yogurt, and rice. To put that in perspective, George ate more in a month than many people weigh.

Despite his intimidating size, George was famously gentle and docile. He became an internet sensation with nearly 200,000 Facebook followers and even appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show in February 2010 when his record was announced. People were captivated by the contrast between his massive frame and his sweet, laid-back personality.

The Legacy of a Record-Breaker

George's reign as the world's tallest dog was eventually surpassed by Zeus, another Great Dane who measured one inch taller. But George had already cemented his place in canine history. When he passed away peacefully on October 17, 2013, just a month before his eighth birthday, he left behind thousands of fans who had followed his larger-than-life journey.

Great Danes are known for their size, but they're also known for their tragically short lifespans—typically 7-10 years. George's death at age 7 was a reminder that these gentle giants, despite their imposing stature, have hearts that work overtime to support their massive bodies.

Giant George wasn't just the world's tallest dog—he was a beloved companion who showed the world that the biggest dogs often have the gentlest souls. His story continues to inspire dog lovers everywhere, proving that sometimes the most extraordinary things come in the very largest packages.