George The Great Dane Is World’s Biggest Dog But He's Terrified Of Water

George the Great Dane

The first time Dave Nasser and his wife Christie saw their beloved Great Dane George, he was no more than a tiny, cowering ball of fuzzy fur.

George came into the Nassers’ lives in January 2006, just a few months after they had married and moved to Arizona. Christie always wanted a Great Dane so they managed to track down a litter of 13, born 1,000 miles away in Oregon. Their owner emailed them a photo showing a chaotic jumble of paws, snouts and tails. but their eyes were immediately drawn to one particular pup standing apart from the rest. George, as the Nassers came to name him, was clearly the runt, endearing him to Christie immediately.

The Nassers soon made the long journey from Oregon to Phoenix, Arizona by plane and picked him up from the freight area, tired but unshaken. And though it didn’t really register at the time, George’s paws were comically large even then. Never did they dream he would one day become the biggest dog in the world, standing nearly 4ft high at the shoulder, 7ft long and weighing nearly 252 lbs! All they saw was this cute puppy.

But as the Nassers were soon to learn, all the things that make Great Danes wonderful pets — their lack of aggression and their attachment to humans — make them more emotionally sensitive than other dogs. They need to be with their ‘pack’ at all times and at night the cute pup with intensely blue eyes turned into a caterwauling banshee whenever they tried to leave him alone in the kitchen to sleep. Of course, George eventually won, and his dog bed was soon placed in the Nasser’s bedroom where it stays till this day.

At five months George still acted like a puppy, but he was already the size of a fully-grown Labrador. Yet for all his size, George is a gentle giant. At the local dog park, as the smaller dogs ran around and under him, George constantly sidestepped them, obviously anxious and jittery. His biggest terror however, as the Nassers soon learned was water. George would growl anxiously at the side of their swimming pool, alarmed that his ‘pack’ members would so willingly place themselves in danger of drowning.

But as the Nassers were also soon to discover, George is not only big in stature, he also possesses a giant heart. When Christie miscarried, George was tuned into her grief and was a constant presence at her side. When she sat, he sat too. When she stood, he stood and padded alongside her to wherever she was going.

Today George is brother to the Nassers’ three old daughter Annabel, and is listed in the Guiness Book of World Records as the world’s tallest living dog (43 inches from paw to shoulder) as well as the tallest dog ever. He even made an appearance the Oprah Winfrey Show

But while their cherished pet may have become a global celebrity, to the Nassers, George is just one of the family.

Story by Elaine Furst for Dog Files

George's giant paw dwarfs Dave's hand
George's giant paw dwarfs Dave's hand.
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term paper writing
12 years ago

wow… He is HUGE!!!!!

Anonymous
Anonymous
12 years ago

I just paid $22.87 for an iPad2-64GB and my girlfriend loves her Panasonic Lumix GF 1 Camera that we got for $38.76 there arriving tomorrow by UPS. I will never pay such expensive retail prices in stores again. Especially when I also sold a 40 inch LED TV to my boss for $675 which only cost me $62.81 to buy. Here is the website we use to get it all from, http://to.ly/aQrp

tracy water heater
12 years ago

Pretty much scary than others.

Anonymous
Anonymous
12 years ago

I paid $ 32.86 for a XBOX 360 and my mom got a 17 inch Sony laptop for $ 94.83 being delivered to our house tomorrow by FedEX. I will never again pay expensive retail prices at stores. I even sold a 46 inch HDTV to my boss for $ 650 and it only cost me $ 51.78 to get. Here is the website we using to get all this stuff, http://oo.ki/fev

custom term paper
12 years ago

 an elephant, not a dog ))))))))))))))))))))))))

Jennifer Griffith
12 years ago

Naw, he’s a HORSE! I can’t imagine having a dog even half the size of George.

Elysa
Elysa
12 years ago

???

Elysa
Elysa
12 years ago

???

lighthouse goldens
lighthouse goldens
12 years ago

What a beautiful animal. I love all breeds, but the bigger the better.

IRENE1935
IRENE1935
12 years ago

GEOEGE THE GREAT DANE, IS A VERY BEAUTIFUL DOG. WE HAVE A LAB THAT IS VERY HUGE TOO.. WE LOVE BIG DOGS.

Barbbfly2009
Barbbfly2009
12 years ago

Hope that superdog has many happy moments as I hear they don’t live very long?

Jenny
Jenny
12 years ago
Reply to  Barbbfly2009

yes, you’re right huge dog breeds dont live that long.  for Great Danes, their life span is around 7-8yrs.

Dane Mom
Dane Mom
12 years ago

I have a Great Dane.  I have one of those pictures with her paw and my hand.  Danes are the most loving, gentle, “lap” dogs you could ask for.  She tip-toes around my two year old.  Love her!  George is awesome!

Second Sight
Second Sight
12 years ago
Reply to  Dane Mom

I totally agree with you Mom.. I used to call my Doberman Pinchers born again Lap Dogs LOL

Lia
Lia
12 years ago

What are you guys feeding him?

Uncle_mayo
Uncle_mayo
12 years ago

too bad the author doesn’t understand proper useage of apostrophes.

Chiefsara
Chiefsara
12 years ago
Reply to  Uncle_mayo

The apostrophes are fine.

notateacher
notateacher
12 years ago
Reply to  Chiefsara

One is wrong, preceding “bedroom”.

Second Sight
Second Sight
12 years ago
Reply to  Uncle_mayo

ah Uncle Mayo… I think there are only two apostrophes in the article.. (and if I reread too hastily.. go ahead and bop me one)… but both are used correctly.  OK.. there is also a form of possessive of nouns ending in “s” that does add ” apostrope ‘s’ ” after the final “s”… and it is still favored by purists… but now, today, a plural noun in the possessive case may be shown simply with the apostrophe after the final “s” and considered correct.  I checked it out myself recently… because I, too, was trained the way you are.

I teach English… American English I should mention.  It may still be classic English… er… English tol add the apostrophe “s” to a plural noun.

I love good grammar.  I also love to read…my socially acceptable addiction.  Paperbacks even for the classic stuff.  But modern publications?  I cringe… and correct them in the margins just as I do student papers!

Habits hard to lose.. and I LOVE that beeeutiful big Great Dane! 

JaneDoe
JaneDoe
12 years ago
Reply to  Second Sight

For someone who loves grammer you aren’t too adept at using it. The ellipsis is meant to be used when skipping a portion of a quotation. It is not a symbol of pause or transition. 

notateacher
notateacher
12 years ago
Reply to  Uncle_mayo

If you live in a glass house, capitalize the first word in a sentence.  And the word is “usage”.

Old_dolls
Old_dolls
12 years ago

  He is a beautiful big boy, I would love to own him
Wonder how much this dog cost to feed a month?  Definate fact that a dog of his size would have to be trained and non-agressive in nature.  The dog is much better suited to living in a rural area with lots of acreage to exercise.

Monochrome Overload
Monochrome Overload
12 years ago
Reply to  Old_dolls

My Great Dane (Biscuit) eats a 35 lb. bag of dry dog food that costs about $40-$50 and finishes it every month… but since he’s half the size of George, it’ll probably be more to feed a dog bigger than 29 inches tall. Then you have the vet bills, etc. to handle, so the money adds up! Biscuit, like many other Great Danes have a very gentle personality, and he’s friendly to visitors, and we’ve never had issues with him being aggressive; just getting in people’s faces to greet them! We also live in a suburban area, and the house is a bit more medium-sized, and he has no problems whatsoever, but I’ll admit, he loves his long walks. He’s my best friend and is sniffing the keyboard as I type! Warm regards from me and my furry friend.

Second Sight
Second Sight
12 years ago

Lordy he is as tall for a dog… as I used to be (lol the generations behind me are taller!!) for a woman.  I LOVE big dogs.. and can’t bring myself to cuddle the yippy yaps.  Druther pet my two Dobies, my Labradors (two of each, not at the same time except for Golda.. my yellow lab, who mothered each of the pups, Dobie or not, who followed… including the German Shepherd.  These dogs were loving and friendly, every dern one of them.

If a dog is loved, it will give love back 100-fold if you get him as a pup.  If not a pup, most still will respond to love and care.

How proud you must be Dave Nasser, of your stunning gorgeous dog George!  And… hey… ignore the silly petulant put-downs.. rofl… you know what that describes.

Short people?  Weeeel, upstairs anyway.

Anonymous
Anonymous
12 years ago

how much does he cost to feed?  I love him!  He’s probably pretty loud too.

Haley
12 years ago

He’s Clifford!! In the tv show Clifford The Big Red Dog, Clifford was the runt of the litter and grew up to be huge. This is just a real life Clifford!!!!

Bullets Paa.....
Bullets Paa.....
12 years ago

He is gonna be my profile pics

Puletasigirl
Puletasigirl
11 years ago

I am envious of George and his wonderful family. This family is truely blessed to have George and
George is TRUELY BLESSED to have the Nassers. The love just shows from one ANIMAL to another. What a message to give the world. Such love, respect, devotion and understanding from mans best friend and George’s family to have him. I know the Nassers are indeed GOOD people all the way down to their children. True love. Some people might look at George as a FREAK of nature, and get miss directed or lost in fame and fortune, but not here in this wonderful example of true loving all living things. Enjoy your wonderful time and moments together. I recently lost my best friend, my sweet Sheenah who was a member of our family from birth till the end of her time. I still cannot not cry when I think of her everyday. God Help me if I ever lost one of my children I don’t know if I could stand it. Thank you for sharing George with us all and showing us all the example of LOVING. GOD BLESS.
The envious one:
Deborah

Puletasigirl
Puletasigirl
11 years ago

Wow I loved a comment I saw on George and the  Nasser’s website – Disney World, Hollywood, adapt Mr. Nasser’s Book and make George and his family our MODERN DAY SUPPER HERO”S. In these hard economic times, it’s hard enough to pay bills, rent, utilities, etc. Let Alone take responsiblity and FEED ones FAMILY. George and his family are all being sensible to me about handling fame and fortune. I’m with you all one hundred percent. I will purchase the book, I have become a fan, and I will continue to be part of your wonderful family. George I know that your family the Nassers are giving caring, loving people. I will not be surprised to read or see that kind of character more in the future news. I know that profits will be shared, because I truely understand the stance and message. The animal world needs more of this. AND LET US ALLLLLLLLLLLL NOT FORGET WE ARE FROM THE ANIMAL KINGDOM OF THE UNIVERSE OF THE CREATOR ABOVE. Let us all on earth remember ALL of Gods creatures that balance this world we live in play an important, non-replacably part of LOVE MAKES THE WORLD GO AROUND- WHAT GOES ROUND COMES AROUND- SUSTAIN EACH OTHER . SUSTAIN EACH OTHER BUT BE SENSIBLE ABOUT HOW THAT IS DONE. Sometimes when we as living creatures on this earth forget love, compassion, respect, understanding, GLOBALLY it affects our nieghboor. Not just in the the insect, animal world, but we as HUMAN BEINGS that are supposed to have the brain, heart and learned KNOWLEGED, to interact as all ANIMALS should do. This I think is why this news about George and his wonderful Nasser family touched my HEART and MIND sOOOOOO much In closing Mr. Nasser, GEORGE and family  I will purchase your book and continue to be a true family member not a Fan . Dr. Mark R. Levin wrote a book called : RESCUING SPRITE – A Dog Lover’s Story of Joy and Anguish. Mr. and Mrs. Nasser and Kids: Enjoy your family & time together which many people will never know or feel, or experience.  Those words I have heard many times Till Death Do Us Part, not just in a marriage of love between a man and woman , but with that union your moral, loving caring exampes of LOVE for all CREATURES of the WORLD.. After all after it is  all said and done, ACTIONS DO INDEED SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS. and those actions and TRUE words will live on and continue to live on when they are true and just of ones ctions
Thank you
A new FAN
Cartoons- SUPER DOG – (with the Cape) – Felix the Cat – (I know CAT) magic bag-
                                      MIghty Mouse – (sorry this is Food for thought only)
P.S. – RIN TIN-TIN LASSIE- SOUNDER- BENJI
                                        GIANT SIZE IT –
                                                 p.s. Reality show – give some of the profits to ????
                                            GEORGE NASSER the GREAT is not GEORGE the
                                             Monkey – Lets update Curious George. We need to bring into education and stories more of what is more applicable in everyday, senible, viable things that are true and real from beginning to end, than the stupid unbelivable reality shows that are bombarding our childrens minds, because right know the adults are looooooosing their ways of parenting. Anyway I will finally close. I will save this email. I have great ideas, have seen these very ideas working in our church and communtiees, but the is becoming dimmer and dimmer. Praying for yours.P>S>-(Post Script – please forgive my spelling and punctuation)
Food for thought.
Thanks
Deborah

James D. & Jeannetta F. Moore
James D. & Jeannetta F. Moore
11 years ago

This is the most beautiful animal I have ever seen!!!    If you ever have to rehome him pleas notify us. We live in North Central Florida  (Gainesville) (Florida Football) where the weather is great most of the time.  Also, we have TWO acres, all chainlink fence and we think he would be most happy with us.  We are 62 & 68 yoa married 37 years and love each other dearly; But we think a canine companin would be just the ticket for us. He (and We ) could live out our Golden years in the sunny south.  PLEASE contact us if you are ready to rehome George.  Thank you very much.   James D. Moore & Jeannetta F. Moore              Our e-mail is   [email protected]

Shawna Foss
11 years ago

I love the story about George the Great Dane!! My mom e-mailed it to me quite awhile ago, and I found it still on my e-mail tonight and thought I’d look him up! He is so awesome!!

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