Dog World— the smallest and tallest of it

It’s hard to believe that they belong to the same species. It’s even harder to believe they both have a
common ancient ancestor, the wolf.

But from prehistoric times, through thousands of years of selectively breeding the smallest with the smallest and the tallest with the tallest, today we have Brandy, a Chihuahua from Largo, Florida and Gibson, a Great Dane from Grass Valley, California—the world’s smallest and tallest dogs.

Brandy lives with Paulette Keller and three other dogs. She was the runt of a litter of five Chihuahuas. As an adult she weighs 1 pound, 13 ounces and is 6 inches from the base of the neck to the base of the tail. Brandy is small enough to curl up on a dollar bill, but she sleeps and travels in a sheepskin-lined purse.

Three-year-old Gibson belongs to Sandy Hall, a breeder of Great Danes. Gibson stands 7 feet 2 inches on his hind legs, which is taller than most players in the NBA. He is 3 feet 6 inches at the shoulder and weighs 175 pounds. Gibson eats 10 cups of dog food a day plus pizza, linguine with clam sauce and other daily specials. He usually sleeps on Sandy’s bed, which we imagine to be rather large.

Even though Brandy and Gibson are celebrity dogs, as far as their owners are concerned they are just beloved pets.
More on Brandy
More on Gibson

Comments

[Mushy]

Ha, Gibson reminded me how our 80 lb. black lab still thinks she's a baby and will jump into my wife's lap if Baylee catches her not looking. If you sit on the couch or in the recliner...watch yourself!

One of my favorite shots of my wife is her lying in the hammock and Baylee is on her stomach!

[Jill]

I still remember the Great Dane my grandfather had. Coco could do all the tricks that were done on the old variety shows. We kids loved him.

[Sambo]

gotta love dogs, big ones think there little and little ones dont know there little.

[Bethie]

Thank you soooooo much for this blog. I've enjoyed it so much last year and I'm very glad I found it. I don't have a dog right now, but I used to love and share my life with seven beautiful toy poodles. To me, dogs are great spiritual teachers. They wag their tail and for a moment the world disappears in the light of unconditional Love. If you have a dog, hug him today because you are truly blessed!

God Bless!

Bethie

[Laura]

I bet Sandy sleeps in a one foot wide portion of that bed. My dog isn't nearly as big as Gibson and she only leaves me a foot of bed whenever I let her sleep with me.

[I was Trailer Trash when Trailer Trash wasn't Cool]

Precious!

[Faith]

Amazing photos and I can't believe that dog is so tiny! I'd be afraid of breaking it.

[Carina]

Oh, oh, oh....had to share. I hope this link works, I shortened it but don't know how to make a hyperlink here:
http://tinyurl.com/yapqac

If it works, that is one of my Rottweilers contemplating a very small, apprehensive Chihuahua.

[Girasol]

dogs rules!

[Karen Shanley]

Jan, finally made the time to add you to my blogroll. I've been meaning to tell you how much I enjoy your site.

[Coll]

I never cease to be amazed at the variety of canines. We are so fortunate to have them all in our lives.

[Irene A Veal]

I was so taken with this story on Brandy, the little Chihuahua. What a sweet photo of her! I want to run out and buy a little Chihuahua of my own!! Great Story!!!