Samsyhn enjoying a snowy daycare day at Fast Tracks in Cedar Falls.
Samsyhn is running for America’s Favorite Pet, and we are asking Cedar Falls and Waterloo to rally behind him. We measured him at 40 inches at the shoulders, and if that measurement holds up under official standards, he could be in the conversation for the tallest living dog. Vote daily and share this story to help Iowa bring the tallest dog spotlight back home.
Dog Daycare Cedar Falls Iowa: Meet Samsyhn
Okay Cedar Falls and Waterloo, we need you to picture something.
You’re walking your dog into daycare. Normal morning. Leashes, wagging tails, the usual crew.
And then the door opens behind you and in walks a Great Dane so tall that your brain does the “wait, is that a small horse?” glitch.
This is a dog daycare Cedar Falls Iowa story, and the star is about to walk in.
That’s Samsyhn.
Reggie, the current Guinness World Records tallest living dog (male), measured at 3 ft 3 in at the shoulders.
How Tall Is Tall, Officially?
If you are wondering what the official benchmark is, Guinness World Records currently lists the tallest dog living (male) as Reginald
“Reggie,” measured at 3 ft 3 in at the shoulders (withers). Guinness World Records
Samsyhn’s unofficial measurement comes out to 40 inches, which is 3 ft 4 in.
To be crystal clear, Samsyhn is not officially certified yet, and we are not claiming a record. But if we can get his height properly documented and it holds up under the same standards, Samsyhn would be in the conversation to become the tallest living dog (male) and bring that spotlight back to Iowa!
Kevin from West Des Moines, Iowa, a former Guinness World Records tallest living dog (male) title holder.
Iowa Has Held the Title Before
And here’s what makes this even more fun for Cedar Falls and Waterloo.
In 2024, Guinness verified Kevin, a Great Dane from West Des Moines, Iowa, as the tallest living dog (male) at 3 ft 2 in at the shoulders. Guinness World Records
So yes, Iowa has been in this conversation recently, and we would love to bring the title back again.
The Measurement That Started the “Wait… Could He Be The Tallest?”
People throw around “big dog” all the time, but height is one of those things that gets exaggerated fast — mostly because dogs move, shift, stretch, and “pose” like they’re trying to help you lie.
So we measured the proper way: from the ground to the top of the shoulder blades (the “withers”) while standing naturally on a flat surface.
That’s the standard way people talk about a dog’s height.
And when we got 40 inches, it turned into an instant conversation starter:
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“How is he even real?”
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“That’s taller than my kitchen counter.”
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“Dude… is he the tallest dog alive right now?”
To be clear: this is an unofficial measurement — we’re not claiming an official world record.
But if you’ve ever seen a Great Dane in real life, you already know… 40 inches is insane.
This is the kind of height where:
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your “big dog” friends don’t feel big anymore
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people stop mid-sentence when he walks by
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and every photo looks fake because your brain can’t scale it properly
Samsyhn taking a sunny break at Fast Tracks in Cedar Falls.
Deaf… and Absolutely Thriving
Now here’s what makes the story even better: Samsyhn is deaf.
And instead of that holding him back, it’s honestly part of what makes him special.
Deaf dogs tend to be incredibly tuned-in. They watch faces. They watch hands. They watch patterns. They pay attention in a way a lot of hearing dogs don’t — because their world is built on visuals and trust.
And Samsyhn? He’s calm. He’s sweet. He’s social. He’s confident.
He’s one of those dogs where you can tell he’s thinking, “Yeah, I’m huge. But I’m also a gentleman.”
Why This Works at Fast Tracks (And Why It Matters)
At Fast Tracks, we’re not a chaotic yard where dogs just “figure it out.”
We’re structured, supervised, and intentional — which is why dogs like Samsyhn do so well here. That matters for:
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giant breeds (yes, Great Danes)
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deaf dogs
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shy dogs
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overly excited dogs
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dogs that need calm leadership and clear expectations
For a deaf dog, structure matters even more. They can’t hear another dog sprinting up behind them. They rely on body language. They rely on predictable movement. They rely on humans managing the environment so everything stays fair and safe.
Samsyhn is proof that when the setup is right, deaf dogs can thrive in dog daycare — and for many families in Cedar Falls and Waterloo, that’s a huge relief.
Giant-Breed Daycare: Big Dogs Need More Than “Space”
When a dog is 40″ at the shoulders, everything changes — doorways, handling, momentum, and how playgroups are managed.
A good Great Dane daycare experience isn’t about letting huge dogs run wild. It’s about:
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thoughtful group matching (play style matters)
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structured supervision
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safe transitions
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built-in downtime
It’s the difference between “chaotic” and “confident.”
Cedar Falls / Waterloo… This Could Be One Of Those “Only In Iowa” Stories
This is the part where it gets fun.
Because stories like this don’t happen every day — and when they do, people love to rally around them.
A massive, lovable Great Dane. From Iowa. Deaf. Thriving. Everyone’s obsessed. And now he’s got a shot at going from “local legend” to “national story.”
And yes — he’s currently in a national pet competition, and if enough people rally behind him, this could turn into one of those stories that spreads way beyond Cedar Falls.
The kind of thing that gets shared, reposted, talked about at work, and eventually ends up on the news because everyone’s asking the same question:
“Is that the tallest dog in the country… maybe even the world?”
Want To Help Iowa’s Gentle Giant Have His Moment?
If you want to be part of this story, here’s how:
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Share this blog (seriously — that’s how stories catch fire)
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Vote for Samsyhn in the America’s Favorite Pet competition
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Tell one friend in Cedar Falls or Waterloo: “You have to see this dog.”
If You See Him In Person… You’ll Get It Immediately
Photos don’t do it justice.
You have to see him walk in the building and watch people instinctively step back like, “Wait… what am I looking at?”
Then he leans into you like a giant baby and you’re like, “Oh. You’re just a sweet boy.”
So if you see a towering Great Dane at Fast Tracks, just know:
That might be 40 inches of Iowa legend standing right in front of you.
And if the internet gets a hold of this story?
Who knows.
Cedar Falls might end up being the home of the tallest dog in the country that everyone’s talking about.
Quick note for the “how tall is tall?” people
We measured shoulder height (withers) — the most consistent way to measure a dog’s height — and got 40 inches. This is shared as an unofficial measurement for fun and community excitement, not as an official world-record claim.
Quick FAQ
How do you measure a dog’s height correctly?
Measure from the ground to the highest point of the shoulders (withers) while the dog stands naturally on a flat surface.
Can deaf dogs do daycare?
Yes — deaf dogs can do great in daycare when the environment is structured, supervised, and communication is clear and consistent.
Do you offer dog daycare and boarding in the Cedar Falls / Waterloo area?
Yes — Fast Tracks serves Cedar Falls and the surrounding Cedar Valley, including Waterloo.
Want Your Dog To Join Daycare in Cedar Falls?
If you’re looking for a structured, supervised dog daycare in Cedar Falls (and dog boarding near Waterloo), we’d love to meet you.
Dog daycare playgroup at Fast Tracks Canine Activity Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa
Share This With Someone Who Loves Big Dogs
If you know someone who loves Great Danes, giant breeds, or feel-good Iowa stories… send them this.
Let’s see how far we can take it.
Vote link: https://americasfavpet.com/2026/samsyhn-511c
— Fast Tracks Canine Activity Center
Cedar Falls / Waterloo, Iowa