Dog hoping to be named world's tallest greets Britain's smallest canine

In fact, it took four table legs to put her on the same elevation as the canine giant who measures 71 inches when he stands on his hind legs.

By contrast, teensy Disney has not grown since she was an eight week old puppy and measures a mere three inches at the shoulder.

At 27 ounces, Disney also weighs in at incredible one per cent of Major's total weight - 12-stone or 2,688 ounces.Disney's owner Natalie Vane took her to see Major as he waits to be officially measured by the Guinness Book of Records for title of World's Tallest Dog later this month.

Major's owner Brian Williams, 55, from Penmaen, near Swansea, said: "He might weigh 12-stone, but he's the loveliest dog in the world.

"He wouldn't hurt a fly - and that goes for a dog as little as Disney, too."

And while walks in the park for 19 month old Disney can be harrowing when she's bowled over by larger dogs, Major lived up to his gentle giant reputation.

Natalie, a 28-year-old dog groomer from Bilston, West Midlands, said: "I can't get a collar to fit Disney so I walk her on a ferret harness.

"Dogs in the park will just knock her over and she's so small they could do a bit of damage.

"I can't believe how well she and Major get on - it's the beginning of a beautiful friendship." The world's official tallest dog title became vacant three years ago when another Great Dane called Giant George died at his home in Arizona.

He measured 43 inches from paw to shoulder and tipped the scales at a heavyweight 17-stone. Major faces competition from another British dog called Freddy from Southend, Essex, and Rocco, from Nevada, USA, in the final round of vital statistic taking.