Zeus, World's Tallest Dog, Dies at 3

The Great Dane from Texas who held the Guinness World Records title died from pneumonia following a cancer diagnosis

Zeus, the Texas Great Dane who held the Guinness World Records title of the world’s tallest living male dog, died on Tuesday at the age of 3.

At 3 feet and 5.18 inches tall, Zeus died from pneumonia following a bone cancer diagnosis and having his front right leg amputated, according to the Guinness World Records.

“Our baby boy is gone,” Zeus’ owner, Brittany Davis, wrote on a GoFundMe page previously set up to help with medical expenses for surgery. “Our hearts are broken. He had the absolute best doctors who sat of (sic) the floor and cried with us. He fought hard but the pneumonia was just too much.”

“He is not in pain anymore,” she continued. “He is resting peacefully. Thank you so [much] everyone who supported our boy.”

Davis described Zeus as “a loyal and devoted companion, bringing immeasurable joy and comfort to our lives.”

Guinness World Records announced last year that Zeus — from Bedford, Texas — was the tallest living dog on the planet, holding the all-time record for the tallest living male dog.

The two-year-old pup became the record holder on March 22 after his height — while standing on all four paws — was verified by a veterinarian.

Davis told the Guinness World Records that her brother made her dream of having a Great Dane named Zeus come true when he gave her a Great Dane puppy that was eight weeks old.

"Zeus has absolutely changed our family," Davis said. "He brings so much joy. He is such a loving, loving dog."

"He's been a big dog since we got him, even for a puppy," Davis added. "He had huge paws."

"At first, we were nervous about having such a large dog," she confessed in a press release, "But we fell in love with him and here we are!"

"When he gets excited, it's about 10 minutes and he runs around and then he's tired," she explained in a video interview with a laugh.

The only time Zeus was "naughty," Davis noted, was "when he wants to take food off the counter or steal the baby's pacifier."

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People who saw Zeus were captivated by his size. Davis said she and her family faced questions and comments like, "Wow! That's a horse!" as well as "Can I ride him?" and "Does he have a saddle?"

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Zeus had several friends, especially at home. Davis' teenage son was among his favorite humans.

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"You don't find one without the other," she said in the clip. "They love being together."

Zeus shared a home with three miniature Australian shepherds and a cat. One of the shepherds, Zeb, was his best friend.

"It's kind of cool to be able now to say, 'Yes, it's definitely the tallest dog you've ever seen!' He's a Guinness World Record holder," she exclaimed.

The Guinness World Record for the tallest dog ever belongs to a different Great Dane named Zeus, who grew to be 44 inches tall before dying in September 2014 at the age of five.

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