Dog world records: From the longest tongue to the ugliest pooch
The longest tongue, the biggest and smallest four-legged friend, and more – TAG24 has compiled the top five dog records from around the world!
Dogs are extremely versatile animals, capable of extraordinary feats depending on their breed and physical condition.
On average, they have 220 million olfactory cells (humans only have around 7 million) and an extra ten teeth compared to us.
In addition, there are specific breeds that excel in particular areas.
For example, border collies are considered the smartest dogs in the world and English greyhounds are the fastest dogs in the world.
Within breeds there are also differences, with some individual members wowing us with their size, length, age, and other qualities.
These special dogs have set some unbelievable records, and TAG24 has five of the best for your enjoyment!
If you are more of a cat fan, we also have some fantastic feline feats.
The top five dog records around the world
Record 1: The dog with the longest tongue in the world
The dog with the longest tongue was a female boxer named Brandy. Her tongue was an unbelievable 17 inches long. Unfortunately, she died in 2002. Mochi, a female St. Bernard from South Dakota, is considered the record holder among dogs still alive today.
Mochi's tongue is no less than 7.31 inches long!
Unfortunately for the four-legged friends, this dog record is more a burden than a cause for celebration, as their long tongues can cause breathing and other health-related problems.
Record 2: The ugliest dog in the world
This record may be a little mean, but it's all a matter of perspective. Somehow you can't quite dismiss this dog record out of hand, especially if you take a look at this little Chinese crested from California:
According to the Guinness World Records, the record holder for most "ugliest dog" titles is an African sand dog named Chi-Chi. The good (or bad?) genes seem to run in the family: his grandson Rascal, who is still alive today, also won the award.
But as we all know, true beauty comes from within!
Record 3: The oldest dog in the world
The record for world's oldest dog belongs to a female Kelpie named Maggie from Australia. She died in 2016 at the ripe old age of 30 years. That's truly amazing, as dogs usually only live between 10 and 15 years. Larger dog breeds typically don't live as long as smaller ones, but this wasn't the case with Maggie! The Kelpie is said to have been physically fit until old age, even chasing cats on the farm where she lived.
This might also interest you: How long do dogs live?
Record 4: The biggest and the smallest dogs in the world
TAG24 previously covered the title of smallest dog in the world. Currently, this record is held by Miracle Milly. The little female Chihuahua measures only 3.8 inches tall and 7 inches from her nose to the tip of her tail.
According to the Guinness World Records, the tallest dog in the world was a male Great Dane named Zeus from Otsego, Michigan, with a shoulder height of 7 feet and 4 inches, but he died in 2014 at the age of 5.
Until recently, Freddy the Great Dane from the UK was listed as the largest living canine. Standing on his hind legs, he reached 7 feet and 5.5 inches tall. Unfortunately, Freddy also passed away earlier this year.
Record 5: the most expensive dog in the world
The most expensive dog in the world at the moment is a Tibetan Mastiff named Dazhewang. The breed has been growing in popularity in recent years, especially in China, where Tibetan Mastiffs are traded as a valuable status symbol. The animals are also becoming more expensive as a result.
Dazhewang was sold for over $1.9 million in 2014, making him the pricest dog in the world.
Cover photo: Unsplash/Hannah Lim