World’s tallest dog dies days after record

The world’s tallest male dog Kevin tragically died just days after his record-breaking achievement was announced to the world, Guinness World Records announced last week.

There was a short-lived celebration for Kevin. His record-breaking status was announced on 13 June, but tragically, he passed away on 24 June.

The three-year-old Great Dane from West Des Moines, Iowa, sadly succumbed to complications following an unplanned surgery after falling ill.

The Great Dane’s Impressive Height

Standing at an impressive 0.97 metres (3ft 2in) from his paws to his withers (the ridge between his shoulder blades), Kevin truly towers over most. When standing on his hind legs, he reaches a staggering height of nearly 2.1 metres (7ft)!

This gentle giant hails from West Des Moines, Iowa, and shares his home with a menagerie of furry and feline friends. Despite his size, Kevin coexists peacefully with three other dogs, including a pug, and a whole cat squad of four. As reported by Sky News, his owner, Mrs. Tracy Wolfe, describes him as the “epitome of a gentle giant” who simply adores claiming the sofa as his throne.

The Great Dane’s Social Skills

Kevin’s social skills are as impressive as his stature. He’s known for crouching and crawling around other dogs to appear less intimidating. However, there’s one household foe he can’t seem to conquer: the family’s vacuum cleaner. “He won’t let it come within six feet of him,” explains Mrs. Wolfe. “He’ll jump and run like crazy to get away from it!”

His Appetite and Gentle Nature

Despite his hearty appetite, Kevin manages to maintain a trim figure. However, his size tends to turn heads and spark some interesting conversations. “We get comments like ‘is that a horse?’ all the time,” laughs Mrs. Wolfe. “People even ask if he needs a saddle!”

Kevin’s gentle nature extends to his feline housemates. “He’s always been very gentle with the other little dogs,” says Mrs. Wolfe, “and he gets on just fine with the cats. He might give them a playful chase occasionally, but if he catches them, he just gives them a big lick.”

While Kevin currently holds the title, he falls slightly short of the record for the tallest dog ever. That honour belongs to another Great Dane named Zeus, who measured a colossal 1.118 metres (3ft 8in) before his passing in 2014 at the young age of five.