Giant George
Encyclopedia
Giant George is a blue Great Dane
currently recognised as the world's tallest living dog, and the tallest dog ever by Guinness World Records
. There were originally conflicting media reports regarding his height, but the official measurement showed that he was three quarters of an inch taller than the previous record holder, Titan
(at 43 inches at the withers
). His records were announced as he appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show in February 2010.
, and weighs 245 pounds (111.1 kg), which is about 100 pounds (45.4 kg) more than an average Great Dane
. He currently lives in Tucson, Arizona
.
At home he sleeps in a queen-sized bed, and one of his hobbies is to ride around his family's neighbourhood in a golf cart. While travelling to a recent media appearance in Chicago, he was given a row of three seats to himself. He caused a commotion with fellow passengers visiting him to take photographs, "There were so many people coming to the front of the plane, the pilot ended up illuminating the 'fasten seat-belt' sign to get everyone to sit down" explained his owner, David. During the flight, George along with his owner David and wife Christine, had to sit in the bulkhead; which is the partition that divides first class from the rest of the passengers. They were to fly first class on American Airlines
, but they found that there wasn't enough room for George and instead flew the following day.
, Editor-in-Chief of Guinness World Records explained, "This is a hotly contested record and after some controversy and conflicting media reports we decided to send our own official adjudicator to put the final stamp on this record holder." The measurement by veterinarian
Jim Boulay and witnessed by Guinness representative Jamie Panas showed that George was three quarters of an inch larger than the previous record hold, another Great Dane, Titan
.
The records were announced by Oprah Winfrey
on 22 February 2010 when George appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show. George had been awarded the titles secretly on 15 February 2010 with Oprah's producers asking all parties and media to keep the announcement quiet until after his appearance on the show. Inquiries had been made by the show for George to appear prior to him gaining the titles, however his owner requested that they hold off their appearance until Guinness had reviewed his application.
The announcement of the new record was used by Guinness World Records to publicise a variety of other pet related record searches including longest ears on a dog, smallest dog (length), oldest dog, smallest cat and oldest cat.
Great Dane
The Great Dane , also known as German Mastiff or Danish Hound , is a breed of domestic dog known for its giant size...
currently recognised as the world's tallest living dog, and the tallest dog ever by Guinness World Records
Guinness World Records
Guinness World Records, known until 2000 as The Guinness Book of Records , is a reference book published annually, containing a collection of world records, both human achievements and the extremes of the natural world...
. There were originally conflicting media reports regarding his height, but the official measurement showed that he was three quarters of an inch taller than the previous record holder, Titan
Titan (dog)
Titan is an American male white Great Dane who is the previous holder of the Guinness World Record as the world's tallest dog. His official height is 107.3 cm from the floor to his shoulder. The previous holder was another Great Dane, Gibson who measured 107.2 cm , and died in August 2009...
(at 43 inches at the withers
Withers
The withers is the ridge between the shoulder blades of a four-legged animal. In many species it is the tallest point of the body, and in horses and dogs it is the standard place to measure the animal's height .-Horses:The withers in horses are formed by the dorsal spinal processes of roughly the...
). His records were announced as he appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show in February 2010.
Biography
George was born on 17 November 2005, and has been owned by David Nasser since he was 7 weeks old. He measures 43 inches (109.2 cm) high at the withersWithers
The withers is the ridge between the shoulder blades of a four-legged animal. In many species it is the tallest point of the body, and in horses and dogs it is the standard place to measure the animal's height .-Horses:The withers in horses are formed by the dorsal spinal processes of roughly the...
, and weighs 245 pounds (111.1 kg), which is about 100 pounds (45.4 kg) more than an average Great Dane
Great Dane
The Great Dane , also known as German Mastiff or Danish Hound , is a breed of domestic dog known for its giant size...
. He currently lives in Tucson, Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
.
At home he sleeps in a queen-sized bed, and one of his hobbies is to ride around his family's neighbourhood in a golf cart. While travelling to a recent media appearance in Chicago, he was given a row of three seats to himself. He caused a commotion with fellow passengers visiting him to take photographs, "There were so many people coming to the front of the plane, the pilot ended up illuminating the 'fasten seat-belt' sign to get everyone to sit down" explained his owner, David. During the flight, George along with his owner David and wife Christine, had to sit in the bulkhead; which is the partition that divides first class from the rest of the passengers. They were to fly first class on American Airlines
American Airlines
American Airlines, Inc. is the world's fourth-largest airline in passenger miles transported and operating revenues. American Airlines is a subsidiary of the AMR Corporation and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas adjacent to its largest hub at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport...
, but they found that there wasn't enough room for George and instead flew the following day.
Nomination
Conflicting reports were made of George's height, so a Guinness judge was sent to verify it. Craig GlendayCraig Glenday
Craig Glenday is the editor-in-chief of the Guinness World Records.Glenday's interest in Guinness World Records began in 1983, when he was ten, and had received the book as a gift.-Career:...
, Editor-in-Chief of Guinness World Records explained, "This is a hotly contested record and after some controversy and conflicting media reports we decided to send our own official adjudicator to put the final stamp on this record holder." The measurement by veterinarian
Veterinarian
A veterinary physician, colloquially called a vet, shortened from veterinarian or veterinary surgeon , is a professional who treats disease, disorder and injury in animals....
Jim Boulay and witnessed by Guinness representative Jamie Panas showed that George was three quarters of an inch larger than the previous record hold, another Great Dane, Titan
Titan (dog)
Titan is an American male white Great Dane who is the previous holder of the Guinness World Record as the world's tallest dog. His official height is 107.3 cm from the floor to his shoulder. The previous holder was another Great Dane, Gibson who measured 107.2 cm , and died in August 2009...
.
The records were announced by Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey is an American media proprietor, talk show host, actress, producer and philanthropist. Winfrey is best known for her self-titled, multi-award-winning talk show, which has become the highest-rated program of its kind in history and was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2011...
on 22 February 2010 when George appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show. George had been awarded the titles secretly on 15 February 2010 with Oprah's producers asking all parties and media to keep the announcement quiet until after his appearance on the show. Inquiries had been made by the show for George to appear prior to him gaining the titles, however his owner requested that they hold off their appearance until Guinness had reviewed his application.
The announcement of the new record was used by Guinness World Records to publicise a variety of other pet related record searches including longest ears on a dog, smallest dog (length), oldest dog, smallest cat and oldest cat.