A majestic Great Dane named Minnie has received international recognition, earning the title of the world's tallest living female dog. This achievement was officially confirmed by Guinness World Records at the beginning of 2026. Minnie, who resides in the state of Connecticut, USA, boasts anthropometric measurements from floor to withers of 3 feet 2,25 inches, which is equivalent to 97,5 centimeters.
Minnie's owners, Ken and Lisa Nogasek from Connecticut, initiated the record application process back in 2025. They waited until the dog reached full physical maturity, which occurred at approximately three and a half years of age. The procedure for accurately measuring the record-holder required a special measuring tool and, reportedly, the use of peanut butter to ensure she remained still and stood straight while the data was recorded.
Minnie's height at the withers, measuring 97,5 cm, places her in close proximity to the all-time record among all females in the breed's history. For comparison, the previous title holder, a dog named Lizzy from Florida, stood 96,41 cm tall. The current record holder among males, a Great Dane named Kevin from Iowa, stands 97 cm at the withers, making Minnie only slightly shorter than the tallest living male.
The Great Dane, a breed officially established in Germany in 1878, has standard dimensions for females of 72 to 84 cm at the withers. The breed as a whole is known as the "gentle giant," with a formidable appearance combined with a loyal and friendly temperament. Despite her impressive height, her owners note that Minnie retains typical canine joys, loves playing fetch, and prefers to carry two balls at once. Living with a dog of this size requires the Nogasek family to pay close attention to household details, such as the need not to leave food on low surfaces.
