In a heartwarming celebration of opposites, the world’s tallest and shortest living dogs recently met for an unforgettable playdate, delighting their owners and fans alike with their surprising similarities and undeniable charm.
Reggie, a towering 3-foot-3 Great Dane from Idaho Falls, and Pearl, a 3.6-inch-tall Chihuahua from Florida, came together in early April as part of Guinness World Records’ 70th anniversary celebrations. Though their size difference is striking—nearly three feet—the two record-holding pups quickly bonded, proving that friendship knows no scale.
Pearl made the cross-country trip to visit Reggie at his home, sparing the massive canine the discomfort of air travel. Upon arrival, the two dogs engaged in a gentle greeting, with Reggie sniffing Pearl cautiously as she was cradled in the arms of her owner, Vanesa Semler. It wasn’t long before the two relaxed together on the couch, explored the house, romped in the backyard, and even shared a meal.
“There was a little anxiety at first,” admitted Reggie’s owner, Sam Johnson Reiss, in an interview with KUSA. “But he was so gentle and kind with Pearl—he did his best to be careful with her.”
Their time together included a photoshoot that highlighted their extraordinary contrast. Pearl was placed in Reggie’s food bowl for scale and perched her tiny paw atop his to emphasize the difference. At just over a pound and roughly the length of a dollar bill, Pearl’s petite frame made Reggie appear even more colossal by comparison.
Despite the stark contrast in stature, both dogs share surprising traits. They’re fashion-forward with expansive wardrobes, passionate about chicken, and known for their snores. Most notably, they are both full of personality—and unafraid to express it.
“He’ll tell you what he wants, when he wants it,” said Johnson Reiss. Semler added, “She’s strong, opinionated, and she can definitely let you know what she wants.”
Reggie, born in September 2017, was the runt of his litter but quickly defied expectations, growing into a 145-pound gentle giant. He was officially named the world’s tallest living male dog in January 2025. Although still shorter than the all-time record-holder—another Great Dane named Zeus who measured 3 feet 8 inches before passing away in 2014—Reggie now stands as the reigning canine giant.
Pearl, born in September 2020, comes from a legacy of small dogs. She’s a relative of Milly, the previous record-holder for shortest dog, who also belonged to the Semler family. Milly was famously cloned 49 times before her death in 2020, setting a record of her own.
Whether or not Reggie and Pearl will reunite remains uncertain, but their owners believe the connection they formed is lasting. According to Guinness World Records, the dogs are expected to “stay friends forever”—a testament to the power of friendship, no matter the size.