WORLD’S TALLEST DOG

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 16, 9 April 1927, Page 13

WORLD’S TALLEST DOG

EIGHT FEET' HIGH AND BUT A PUP! California, which deals in superlatives, now boasts the largest dog in the world. He is the champion Irish wolfhound, Shanganagh. Standing on his hind legs, Shanganagh rears eight, feet two inches tall, measuring 36 inches at the shoulders. And he has by no means achieved his full size, being only a puppy—l 7 months old! He is owned by Mrs. Horatio Bonestell of Oakland, and at a recent dog show in San Francisco took first prize. Up to the time Shanganagh made his debut, the largest dog in the world, of record, was the famous Goliath of Gath, the pride of Gath Kennels, Walthamstow, England, owned by G. H. Hersey. From the tip of his nose to his hind feet Goliath was seven feet long. Goliath’s remarkable dimensions were exceeded only by Maurprat, another St. Bernard, owned by James Maher of Naugatuck, Conn. This dog was unofficially declared to be nearly eight feet tall and weighed 225 pounds. Shanganagh is larger than either of these two famous dogs. The Irish wolf-hound is the only rival of the St. Bernard when it comes to size. The name of the latter, as well as his fame, came as a work of mercy in connection with the monastery of St. Bernard in the SwissItalian Alps. Carrying a cask of wine and food for poor lost travellers, these dogs traverse the mountain fastnesses, bringing succour to the helpless. The dogs in the Alps are short-coated, because long hair would accumulate a dangerous amount of snow.