Kevin, the world’s tallest dog, has tragically passed away just days after his record-breaking achievement was announced by Guinness World Records. The three-year-old Great Dane, who resided in West Des Moines, Iowa, with his loving family, succumbed to complications following an unplanned surgery after falling ill.
Kevin’s owner, Tracy Wolfe, expressed her grief, stating, “Our whole family is devastated about Kevin. 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.”
Kevin was officially recognized as the world’s tallest dog after measuring 0.97 meters (3 feet 2 inches) tall from his feet to his withers. When standing on his hind legs, he reached an impressive height of around 7 feet. The average Great Dane stands at about 0.76 meters (2 feet 6 inches) to the withers, making Kevin’s stature truly remarkable.
Kevin was a beloved member of the Wolfe family, bringing endless joy to Tracy, her husband Roger, and their children, Alexander, 12, and Ava, 10. Described as a “gentle giant,” Kevin loved nothing more than lounging on the sofa. Tracy fondly recalled, “Kevin’s favorite activity is probably taking naps. Holding the couch down is his favorite pastime, I think. Kevin is funny and he is super duper friendly. In fact, overly friendly. You don’t want to keep your mouth open too much when he’s around… But everybody loves seeing him as long as they don’t get whipped by his tail.”
Despite his imposing size, Kevin had a few fears, including a notable aversion to the vacuum cleaner. Tracy shared that he would run away whenever it came near him. Kevin joined the Wolfe family as a puppy and formed a particularly close bond with Alexander, who took him to training classes.
Kevin’s record-breaking achievement brought him a lot of attention, and the Wolfe family was thrilled to see him enter the record books. However, his time as a record holder was cut short by his untimely death. A spokesperson for Guinness World Records expressed their condolences, saying, “We are deeply saddened to learn that Kevin suddenly passed away after unexpected health complications. 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’s story is reminiscent of another record-holding Great Dane, Zeus, who was recognized as the world’s tallest dog before Kevin. Zeus, who stood 44 inches tall and reached 7 feet 4 inches on his hind legs, passed away just shy of his 6th birthday. Zeus was a certified therapy dog who brought joy to many people in a nearby hospital. His owner, Kevin Doorlag, described him as a “gentle giant” who loved to make people smile.
The Wolfe family’s journey with Kevin began when they decided to adopt him after seeing a Facebook post about a new litter of Great Danes. Despite their initial hesitation following the loss of their previous Great Dane, Cora, they couldn’t resist Kevin’s friendly demeanor. Tracy recalled, “He was so friendly, he just ran up to us.” They named him after Kevin McCallister, the main character in the movie “Home Alone.”
As Kevin grew, it became clear that he was going to be exceptionally tall. By the time he was a year old, his height was already notable. Kevin’s slender frame, weighing about 150 pounds, added to his unique appearance. Tracy noted, “Kevin just kept growing up and growing up and growing up.”
Kevin’s bond with Alexander was particularly special. It was Alexander’s idea to submit an application to Guinness World Records for the world’s tallest living dog. Kevin was verified as the new record holder on May 20. The previous record holder, another Great Dane named Zeus, stood at 3 feet 5.18 inches tall and weighed about 200 pounds. Like Kevin, Zeus also had a fear of thunderstorms and passed away at the age of 3 after battling bone cancer.
The Wolfe family was overjoyed when Kevin took home the title. Tracy shared, “We were all super excited.” Alexander loved telling people about Kevin’s achievement, proudly stating, “Kevin deserves this!” In their small hometown of about 100 people, Kevin became a local celebrity. Tracy joked, “We joke that more people know Kevin than us. Everybody loves Kevin.”
Kevin’s gentle nature made him especially fond of children, whose faces were at his level. He had an easier time mingling with humans than with other dogs, often crouching down to appear less intimidating. His pooch siblings, including a pug, a terrier, and a mastiff, had all gotten used to Kevin’s towering presence.
Kevin’s playful and loving personality endeared him to everyone who met him. Tracy described him as having a “heck of a personality” and noted that he was “playful and loving and a really funny character.” Despite his size, Kevin often tried to squeeze into tiny spaces and small beds, causing a ruckus with his “zoomies” around the house.
Kevin’s defining quality was his gentleness. Tracy summed it up by saying, “He is just the best boy.” The Wolfe family’s loss is profound, and they will always cherish the memories of their beloved gentle giant.
Source: Guinness World Records, ABC News, The Washington Post
