In an adorable encounter that proves size doesn’t matter in friendship, Pearl the chihuahua and Reginald “Reggie” the Great Dane-Guinness World Record holders for the world’s smallest and tallest dogs, respectively-recently met for a playdate that has captured hearts worldwide.
The pair’s meeting showcased a remarkable 3-foot height difference, equivalent to the length of a baseball bat or acoustic guitar. Despite this dramatic contrast, their interaction mirrored typical dog park encounters with plenty of tail wagging, sniffing, and playful scampering.
The Record-Breaking Duo
Reggie, a 7-year-old gentle giant from Idaho Falls, stands an impressive 3-foot-3 (1 meter) tall-nearly the size of a small horse. Meanwhile, Pearl, a 4-year-old chihuahua from Orlando, Florida, measures just 3.59 inches (9.14 centimeters) in height-comparable to the size of an apple.
Pearl comes from a lineage of exceptionally small dogs. Her aunt Millie previously held the same record until her passing in 2020. Both Millie and Pearl weighed just 1 ounce (28.35 grams) at birth.
“I was not expecting to once again have the record,” said Vanesa Semler, Pearl’s owner. “That would be like unbelievable.”
An Unexpected Friendship
Guinness World Records arranged the two-day meetup at Reggie’s home in Idaho Falls last month. Despite initial concerns about their size difference, the dogs quickly formed a bond.
“For me, it was a huge, pleasant surprise from day one because Reggie is like Pearl, in bigger size,” Semler shared. “He is so gentle, so friendly.”
Sam Johnson Reiss, Reggie’s owner, noted how careful his dog was around his tiny new friend: “He was very cautious, like a little anxious. He was very careful, like he didn’t step on her or anything crazy. He was just very aware that she was there.”
Diva Personalities
Both dogs have their share of “diva moments.” Pearl selects her own outfits by placing her paw on clothes laid out for her-a helpful trait when preparing for media appearances. “For us, she was always our diva,” Semler said. “Now she’s a diva for everyone.”
Not to be outdone, Reggie has his own high-maintenance tendencies. “He’s pretty high maintenance,” Reiss admitted. “Reggie’s just cheeky, like he’s kind of mischievous and silly and definitely tells you when he wants something.”
Despite some minor jealousy over toys and beds, the unlikely pair found common ground during their time together on the Idaho farm. Their heartwarming friendship proves that sometimes, opposites really do attract-even when one friend can literally stand over the other!
The adorable encounter was documented by Guinness World Records, which has been measuring record breakers since 1954
