World Record-Setting Pets
The pets and animals on this list all have one thing in common: they’re world record holders. Read on to learn more about dogs, cats, and other animals whose feats and features have helped them find their way into the Guinness Book of World Record.
Record-Setting Dogs
Here are some impressive pups who’ve earned them spots in the record books.
Highest Jump by a Dog
No dog has ever jumped higher than Feather, a Greyhound from Frederick, Maryland. Feather cleared a bar 75.5 inches above the ground back in 2017. The leap vaulted Feather ahead of the previous record holder, another Greyhound. Her record still stands.
The Longest Tail on a Dog
The world’s longest canine tail currently belongs to Keon, an Irish Wolfhound from Westerlo, Belgium. In 2015, the team from the Guinness Book of World Records made an official measurement, recognizing Keon and his 30.2-inch tail.
Zeus: The Largest Dog of All Time
Back in 2011, Zeus, a black Great Dane was measured at 3 feet, 8 inches from foot to shoulder (more than seven feet tall on his hindlegs), earning the title of world’s largest dog. Great Danes have a history of holding this title. Zeus was preceded as record-holder by a Great Dane named Giant George and followed by another named Freddy. Though Zeus passed away in 2014, no dog has broken his height record yet.
The Longest Tongue on a Dog
Mochi, a South Dakota St. Bernard, owns the longest tongue of any living dog. It measures 7.31 inches from end to end! Prior to 2016, the record belonged to Puggy, a Pekingese.
Most Tennis Balls Held in a Dog’s Mouth at Once
This unusual record has stood for more than a decade and a half. All the way back in July of 2003, Augie, a Golden Retriever, held five regulation-sized tennis balls in his mouth at the same time.
Record-Setting Cats
These record-setting felines have earned a piece of immortality and a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.
The Longest and Shortest Domestic Cats Ever
Mymains Stewart Gilligan (Stewie for short) set the record for world’s longest cat at 48.5 inches long back in 2010. On the other end of the spectrum is Lilieput who measures just. 5.25 inches from nose to tail.
Longest Fur on a Cat
Oceanside, California’s Sophie entered the record books in 2013 when her distinctive, bushy coat measured 10.11 inches.
Most Tricks Performed by a Cat in One Minute
Didga and her owner Robert Dollwet wowed Guinness officials in Australia when Didga performed 24 different tricks in just 68 seconds.
More Record-Setting Animals
Cats and dogs aren’t the only critters to stake out a place in history.
The World’s Oldest Land Animal
Born in 1832, Jonathan the tortoise has seen a whole lot of history in his lifetime. He predates the airplane, transcontinental rail travel, the Eiffel Tower, the Empire State Building, and more than half of the U.S. states. He was officially recognized as the world’s oldest-known land animal in 2019 at a remarkable 187 years of age.
The World’s Shortest Horse
Standing just under 57 centimeters (one foot, ten inches) from hoof to shoulder, Bombel the Appaloosa is by far the smallest horse at his farm in Łódź, Poland. The tiny horse is shorter than a Greyhound and would have been positively dwarfed by Big Jake, a Wisconsin horse who was recognized as the world’s tallest (standing six feet, 11 inches) before his passing earlier this month.
The Tallest Cow to Ever Live
Blosom, a huge Holstein, earned recognition from Guinness shortly before suffering a fatal leg injury in May of 2015. The bovine beauty stood 6 feet, 2 inches tall and her Illinois-based handlers say fame never went to her head.