In May 2024, the Guinness Book of World Records announced a new record holder – a German Dane named Kevin. His height at the withers was 97 cm, which corresponds to the average height of a three-year-old child. When Kevin stood on his hind legs, his height reached 213 cm. These are impressive figures, even for a breed known for its large size.

Kevin lived in West Des Moines, Iowa, USA, with the Wolfe family: Tracy, Roger and their children Alexander and Ava. Their home was also home to other animals: three dogs, four cats, chickens, goats and horses. Despite his size, Kevin was extremely affectionate and friendly. His owners joked that he didn’t realize his size and would often try to squeeze into small beds or sit on their laps like a small dog.

Kevin was named after the main character in the movie “Home Alone,” which the family was rewatching the day before they met the puppy. They weren’t planning on getting another dog after losing their previous pet, but when they saw Kevin, they couldn’t resist. He immediately won their hearts with his friendliness and charm.

Kevin was known for his love of napping on the couch and his fear of the vacuum cleaner. His owners said that he was afraid of most things, particularly the vacuum cleaner, which he avoided at a distance of two meters. He was also very affectionate and loved the attention he received during walks.

Sadly, a few weeks after the record was announced, Kevin died after emergency surgery. He was only three years old. His owners were devastated by the loss, but happy that he had managed to be recognized as the world’s tallest dog. They noted that they wished such giant breeds lived longer, as time with them is always short.

Kevin left behind not only a record, but also fond memories in the hearts of his family and all who learned about him. His story reminds us that no matter the size, dogs can be the most gentle and loyal of friends.

Previous record holders include Zeus and Freddie

Before Kevin, the title of the world’s tallest dog belonged to another German dog named Zeus from Otsego Township, Michigan, USA. His height at the withers was 111.8 cm and his weight was more than 70 kg. In an upright position, the dog reached 2.24 meters. Unfortunately, Zeus died at the age of three years after the amputation of a paw due to bone cancer.

Even earlier, the record belonged to a German dog named Freddie from Great Britain. His height at the withers was 103.5 centimeters and 213 centimeters on his hind legs. Freddie lived for more than 8 years and passed away in January 2021.

These giants are not only astounding in size, but also show incredible gentleness and loyalty to their families. Their stories remind us that no matter the size, dogs can be the most gentle and loyal of friends.