World’s tallest male dog Kevin passes away

Kevin, a great dane from Iowa who was the tallest male dog in the world, passed away earlier this week (June 24), leaving his owners in mourning.

According to a statement released on Monday by Guinness World Records, which formally certified the great dane as the world’s tallest dog in March, Kevin, age three, passed away after becoming unwell and after an unexpected operation.

In a statement, Kevin’s co-owners, Tracy and Roger Wolfe said, “He was just the best giant boy”.

“We are so glad that he was able to break the record and have that light on him. He absolutely adored the attention. I wish these giant breeds, and all dogs, could live longer than they do. It’s never enough time,” the statement read.

From his feet to his withers, or the ridge between his shoulder blades, Kevin measured 3 feet 2 inches (0.97 metres).

According to Guinness World Records, it made him eight inches taller than the typical male great dane and around the same height as many toddlers.

After fellow American great dane Zeus passed away six months prior, the canine took the distinction of the tallest live male dog in the world, according to Guinness.

Zeus, who was three years old when he passed away, was 3 feet, 5.18 inches (1.046 meters) tall when he had a deadly bout of pneumonia and had his right front limb amputated as a result of fighting bone cancer.

In an interview with Guinness World Records that was released on June 13th, the Wolfes discussed how Kevin would pretend he was unaware of his size when he was living in West Des Moines, Iowa, with the married couple, their two small children, and a number of other dogs, cats, chickens, goats, and horses.

Kevin, who took his name after the main character in the Home Alone movie series, was well-known for being “terrified of” the vacuum cleaner in the house.

During that interview, Tracy Wolfe expressed amazement at Kevin’s ability to maintain a trim figure while consuming up to 10 cups of food every day and resting for much of the day. “Kevin is just the epitome of a gentle giant. He was … just perfect for us.”