A record Great Dane named Kevin, who could stretch up to 7 feet tall on his hind legs but was terrified of vacuum cleaners, has died, his owners said.
Owners Tracy and Roger Wolfe of Iowa said in a statement published Monday by the Guinness Book of World Records website that his family was “devastated.”
In March, Kevin was certified by Guinness as the tallest male dog in the world, measuring 3 feet 2 inches from feet to shoulders – the average height of a 3-year-old.
Guinness said it was “saddened” by the news. He was, his owners said, “simply the best boy giant.”
Kevin – named after Macaulay Culkin’s character in “Home Alone” – died after falling ill and undergoing unplanned surgery. He was 3 years old.
“We are very happy that he was able to break the record and have this light on him. He loved the attention,” the Wolfes’ statement said.
Kevin took the record from Zeus, another great dane from the US, who measured 3ft 5.1in and also died at the age of 3 last year.
“I wish these giant breeds, and all dogs, could live longer than they do. It’s never enough time,” the family statement added.
Tracy Wolfe, who works at a veterinary clinic, told the Guinness website earlier this month that despite his size, Kevin was afraid of many things and wouldn’t come within six feet of a vacuum cleaner.
“I don’t think he knows he’s as big as he is. He is continually trying to squeeze into small beds, sit on top of us and do everything smaller dogs do,” she told the website.
A Guinness World Records spokesperson said: “We are deeply saddened to learn that Kevin passed away suddenly following unexpected health complications.”
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