As a 12-year-old, I sincerely believed I had the most talented dog in the world.
After all, my chocolate lab Beau had just figured out how to open the back door — all by himself. He would balance on his hind legs and press down on the handle using his front paws, much to the delight of household guests.
I'll be the first to admit, though, that this was not a taught behavior. Beau picked up this handy trick on his own. And as I got older, I realized there were other pets out there that could pull off stunts much wilder than this one — thanks to their dedicated owners and trainers.
In fact, many impressive pets have soared to stardom after earning Guinness World Records. Some of them have been recognized for tremendous skill, while others have been honored for exceptional genetics. Regardless of their unique titles, though, one thing is for sure: each of these animals is worth celebrating.
Check out this list of 11 extraordinary pets that have set world records, and you will be stunned by their stories. If you love learning about these remarkable fur babies, please remember to SHARE their achievements with your friends on Facebook!
Thumbnail Photos: YouTube / Guinness World Records, Facebook / Purin the Super Beagle
1. Purin
Purin — a 9 year-old beagle from Sakura, Japan — currently holds the world record for "the most balls caught by a dog with the paws in one minute." With encouragement from her owner Makoto Muagai, Purin successfully snagged fourteen mini-balls in just 60 seconds. She has been defending the title since March 22, 2015.
2. Big Jake
Big Jake is a nine-year-old Belgian Gelding horse from Poynette, Wisconsin and holds the current world record for being "the tallest living horse." On January 19, 2010, Big Jake measured in at 6 feet 10.75 inches without horseshoes — making him approximately as tall as the average 6'11" NBA center.
3. Abbie Girl
To put it simply, Abbie Girl loves being on the water. On October 18, 2011, she and her owner Michael Uy headed to Ocean Beach Dog Beach in their hometown of San Diego, where Abbie Girl would earn the world record for "the longest wave surfed by a dog on open water." The massive wave she conquered measured 107.2 meters, or 351.7 feet in length.
4. Ludo
Living with his owner Kelsey Gill in Wakefield, United Kingdom, Ludo may seem like a typical house cat. In actuality, though, he is an esteemed world record holder. On October 6, 2015, Ludo measured in at 118.33 centimeters (3 feet 10.59 inches) in length, making him the "longest domestic cat" in the world! And as a Maine Coon, he enjoys "robust health and [a] companionable, lively personality" — common characteristics of the breed.
5. Otto
Otto is a bulldog from Lima, Peru and currently holds the world record for "the longest human tunnel traveled through by a dog skateboarder." On November 8, 2015, Otto's owners Luciana Viale and Robert Rickards cheered him along as he rolled through a 30-person tunnel of human legs. According to the Guinness Book of World Records website, the talented fur baby is also an avid surfer!
6. Manikyam
On June 21, 2014 in Kerala, India, the adorable Manikyam was crowned the world's "shortest cow." She measured in at 61.1 centimeters (24.07 inches), meaning she is just over two feet tall from the hoof to the withers. In an interview with Guinness World Records, the cow's veterinarian hypothesized that "the unusual climatic conditions of [their] state" may have contributed to her difference in height — which is half that of the average local cow.
7. Jack The Black Vom Muehlrad
Jack the Black vom Muehlrad and his owner Hans-Joachim Brückmann share the world record for the "fastest time for a dog to retrieve a person from water over a distance of 25 meters." The furry Newfoundland — who hails from Kaarst, Germany — pulled his handler the 25 meter distance in just 1 minute 36.812 seconds on June 11, 2013. The spectacle at Kaarster See Lake was even filmed and broadcasted on television in Germany!
8. Digda
On February 5, 2016, Digda the cat completed 24 consecutive tricks — some of which while on a skateboard. Didga and her owner Robert Dollwet claimed the world record for "the most tricks performed by a cat in one minute" that day in Tweed Heads, Australia. Her unbelievable routine included rolling over, touching a coin with her paw, and jumping over a bar while on a moving skateboard.
9. Toby
Loughren Christmas Star, also known as Toby, is a nine-year-old purebred whippet from Calgary, Canada. He holds the world record for the "fastest time to pop 100 balloons by a dog," having completed the feat in just 36.53 seconds on March 26, 2017. When darting through the sea of balloons that day, Toby fueled off encouragement from his owner Christie Springs.
10. Caspa
Caspa, a llama from Northwich, United Kingdom, holds the world record for "the highest bar jump cleared by a llama." Led by his owner and trainer Sue Williams, Caspa recorded a 1.13 meter (3 feet 8.5 inch) jump at Dogfest in Cheshire on June 14, 2015.
11. Smurf
Smurf, a talented terrier from Hertforshire, United Kingdom, holds the world record for "the most tricks performed by a dog in one minute." Following the lead of his owner Sarah Humphreys on August 7, 2015, Smurf successfully completed 32 tricks in just 60 seconds— including walking on his back paws and bowing.
What is your pet's most impressive talent or cutest quirk? Write your furry friends' stories in the comments, and please be sure to SHARE this list with your fellow animal-lovers on Facebook!
