When Claire Stoneman first brought home Freddy, she was prepared to care for a big dog. She didn't expect to be her pup to grow to be the biggest dog in the world, but at 7 feet 6 inches, that's exactly what Freddy has been declared.
Great Danes rank high on the list of giant dog breeds, with the average adult male weighing up to 190 pounds and standing 33 inches tall at the shoulders.
There's no such thing as a small Great Dane, but Freddy surpassed everyone's expectations.
The Biggest Dog in the World
The massive dog towers over every other dog on the planet and was officially recognized by Guinness World Records this past week.
Tipping the scale at over 200 pounds, Freddy is over two feet taller than his owner when he stands on his hind legs. But Claire has nothing but love for her over-sized furbaby.
She treats Freddy and his sister, Fluer, like her children. Freddy and Fluer stay happy and healthy with a constant supply of their favorite snacks—whole roasted chickens and peanut butter on toast. Claire's grocery bill totals over $15,000 every year, and that's not including the 23 sofas Freddy dined on as a puppy. Claire told the Daily Mail in 2014,
"I'd come home and find a sea of foam across the floor. But he's my baby and I can't imagine life without him."
Thankfully, the now four-year-old record-breaker is more interested in napping on sofas than eating them. In addition to planning super-sized menus, Claire sacrifices her sleep schedule so Freddy can have his 40-minute daily walk.
The pair leaves their home during the early hours of the morning to avoid other dogs that may be intimidated by Freddy's impressive size. If Freddy decided to go after something, his 5-foot 4 inches tall owner wouldn't be able to stop him.
But recently, Freddy is only interested in cuddling with his family and basking in the glory of his Guinness World Records title.
All Images via Freddy the Great- Great Dane/Facebook.
This post was originally published on December 22, 2016.