World’s Tallest Dog Dies Days After Getting Record: ‘He Was Just the Best Giant Boy’

The world record holder for tallest living dog died less than two weeks after earning the honor.

Earlier this month, Kevin, a 3-year-old Great Dane from West Des Moines, Iowa, officially earned the title of the world’s tallest living dog.

Guinness World Records announced the news on Thursday, June 13, and the canine died this week after falling ill and going into surgery, ABC News reported.

His family — who consists of owners Tracy and Roger Wolfe, their young children Alexander and Ava, and a few other animals — is “devastated” by the loss, Tracy told ABC News.

“Our whole family is devastated about Kevin. He was just the best giant boy,” she told the outlet in a statement, noting that the beloved pup soaked up the spotlight during his final days.

“We are so glad that he was able to break the record and have that light on him. He absolutely adored the attention,” Tracy said. “I wish these giant breeds, and all dogs, could live longer than they do.”

“It’s never enough time,” she added.

While standing on four paws, the pup — who is named after the protagonist in the Home Alone franchise — stood at an impressive 3 feet and 2 inches, from “his feet to his withers,” Guinness officially verified in March. According to the company, that’s the average height of a 3-year-old child.

Ahead of Guinness’ official announcement earlier this month, Tracy shed a little light on Kevin’s personality, telling the company that he enjoyed nothing more than napping on the couch.

“He doesn’t love to actually sit. He will either stand or he will lay down,” she explained, adding, “I think his legs are too long.”

Tracy also told the company that the Great Dane was a “big baby” — and often acted like he was not as large as he was.

“I don’t think he’s aware he is as big as he is,” she told Guinness. “He’s continuously trying to squeeze into small beds and sit on top of us and do everything that the smaller dogs do.”

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Put simply, the late pup was a scaredy cat with a heart big enough to match his body.

“He is scared of most things,” Tracy told Guinness. “He is terrified of the vacuum. He won’t let it come within 6 feet of him! He will jump and run to get away from it.”

“Kevin is the epitome of a gentle giant,” she said.