A heartbreaking update to a recent story: Kevin, the world’s tallest male dog, has died just days after setting the Guinness World Record.
The three-year-old Great Dane, who lived with his family in West Des Moines, Iowa, recently set the Guinness World Record as the tallest living dog, towering at 3 foot 2 inches from feet to withers and about 7 foot on his hind legs.
But just days after Guinness announced the new record, the family announced that Kevin had died following a surgery after suddenly falling ill.
“Our whole family is devastated about Kevin,” owner Tracy Wolfe said in a statement to Guinness World Records. “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.”
“We are deeply saddened to learn that Kevin suddenly passed away after unexpected health complications,” a Guinness spokesperson said. “Tracy and the team at the vet clinic she works in did everything they could to save Kevin after he became ill. Our thoughts and support are with the Wolfe family as they navigate this difficult time.”
Kevin, who was named after the main character in Home Alone, was taken in by the family after the death of their previous Great Dane. As Kevin grew up, they began to notice he was unusually large, even for the breed.
“It’s funny because as a puppy, we just kept thinking, ‘He just keeps growing and growing,'” Tracy told Guinness World Records in a previous interview.
Despite his record-breaking size, the owner described him as a “gentle giant” who often didn’t know his own size. “I don’t think he’s aware he is as big as he is,” Tracy said. “He’s continuously trying to squeeze into small beds and sit on top of us, and do everything that the smaller dogs do.”
She also said that Kevin was “scared of most things,” including the vacuum and the tape measurer. He enjoyed everyday dog activities like napping on the couch and cuddling with his owners.
Kevin was named the tallest male dog after the death of the previous record holder, a fellow Great Dane named Zeus who stood at 3 feet 5.18 inches. Sadly, he also died from complications from a surgery in September.
After Kevin broke the record, Tracy said it was “really exciting” for the family. While it’s sad that Kevin’s reign as the tallest dog was tragically short-lived, he’ll always be remembered as a record holder who stood above all other dogs during his life.
Rest in peace, Kevin 💔🌈 Please share this story in memory of this extraordinary dog.
