Great Dane from US is planet's tallest dog

The three-year-old Great Dane measuring 44 inches from foot to shoulder is the tallest dog in the world.

Zeus comes from Michigan and towers 2.2 metres (7ft 4 inches) on his hind legs.

The donkey-sized canine weighs around 70 kilogrammes and can drink from the kitchen sink without having to lift his head.

The diet of the giant dog includes a 13 kilogrammes bag of dog food every two weeks.

Measuring 1.12 metre from paw to withers - the point between the shoulder blades at which the official height of a four-legged mammal is judged - Zeus is officially the tallest dog in the world, the volume claims.

The towering hound has broken the record of Giant George, another Great Dane who is one inch shorter, according to Guinness World Records 2013.

"Zeus is an awesome dog," owner Denise, said.

"The only downside is that everything costs more; the food, medicines, transport. We had to get a van to be able to transport him, oh, and if he steps on your foot - he leaves bruises!" Denise added.

Denise said he loved the reaction Zeus gets when the family takes him out: "The most common thing people ask is: 'Is that a dog or a horse?' and 'Where's his saddle?".