A Tiny Pearl Meets a Towering Reggie: An Unlikely Canine Friendship

Last month, an extraordinary meeting took place between the world’s tallest and shortest living dogs, proving that friendship knows no bounds—especially not size. Reggie, a towering Great Dane from Idaho, and Pearl, a tiny Chihuahua from Florida, came together in a heartwarming event organized by Guinness World Records to celebrate its 70th anniversary.

Reggie, short for Reginald, stands an impressive 3 feet 3 inches (99 cm) tall and weighs 145 pounds (66 kg), making him the tallest living male dog. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Pearl measures just 3.59 inches (9.14 cm) tall and weighs only about a pound (0.45 kg), earning her the title of the shortest living dog.

To make their meeting possible, Pearl and her owner, Vanesa Semler, travelled to Reggie’s home in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Due to Reggie’s size, transporting him by plane was not a feasible option. Despite initial concerns from Reggie’s owner, Sam Johnson Reiss, the meeting went smoothly. “He was very gentle, very kind to Pearl, as best as he could be,” she said.

The two dogs quickly grew comfortable with each other. They explored Reggie’s house and even enjoyed some playtime in the backyard. “When Pearl meets bigger dogs, she is friendly. I think she has no idea she is a small dog,” Ms. Semler shared.

The contrast between Reggie and Pearl is striking. Reggie is tall enough to drink straight from the bathroom sink, while Pearl is so petite that she once fit in a spoon as a puppy. But their differences end at their physical appearances—both dogs share big personalities. “Pearl knows exactly what she wants,” said Ms. Semler. Reggie’s owner agreed, saying he is equally assertive.

They also have some surprisingly similar quirks. Both love chicken, snore loudly, and face fashion challenges because of their unusual sizes. Pearl has a wardrobe full of clothes to keep her warm, while Reggie wears custom sweaters in winter.

Interestingly, Pearl follows in the pawprints of her late aunt, Milly, who previously held the record for the shortest dog. Reggie, too, had humble beginnings. Though he was the smallest in his litter, he experienced a growth spurt that eventually led him to break records at age 7. While he is the tallest living male dog, he still falls short of the tallest dog ever—another Great Dane named Zeus, who passed away in 2014.

The meeting ended on a joyful note, with Ms. Semler remarking, “I think she found a good friend.” In a world full of differences, Reggie and Pearl’s story is a delightful reminder that true companionship is not measured in inches.