World's tallest dog 'Zeus' who was 7ft tall dies after cancer battle just months before 4th birthday

BEDFORD,TEXAS: The world's largest Great Dane died after a month-long battle with bone cancer. Zeus, the Guinness World Record holder for the tallest dog in 2022, died on Tuesday, September 12, after contracting pneumonia following the amputation of his right front leg.

Zeus, who had turned three in November 2022, was taller than the average pup, standing at 1.046 metres (3 ft 5.18 in). Standing on his hind legs, the pup towered over most people, at 7 feet, as reported by Mirror.

Owner confirms Zeus' death on Gofundme

His owner, Brittany Davis, shared the devastating news of Zeus' death on her GoFundMePage: "Our baby boy is gone. Our hearts are broken. He had the absolute best doctors who sat off the floor and cried with us," she said. "He fought hard, but the pneumonia was just too much. He is not in pain anymore."

Worried about the high cost of cancer treatment for pets and wanting to give Zeus the best chance of survival, Brittany, from Bedford in Texas, had started a GoFundMe page for her much-loved canine after he was diagnosed with cancer in August.

GoFundMe for Zeus raised $12,464

She set a funding target of $20,000 and over 350 people responded, raising more than $12,464 within a month.

Doctors informed Brittany at the beginning of September that Zeus needed to have his front right leg amputated. Her beloved dog underwent surgery on September 7, which Davis said went well at first.

On the GoFundMe page the next day, Davis wrote, "He did so well. He's awake from the anaesthesia and on a bunch of pain medicine. He will stay for the weekend, but he's doing very well, and everyone loves him already."

However, doctors called Brittany three days later with bad news. Zeus' condition was deteriorating; he'd had a fever the night before, was refusing to eat, and his mouth was turning blue, indicating that his blood wasn't being oxygenated properly.

Doctors discovered Zeus had fluid and bacteria in his lungs and was suffering from aspiration pneumonia, which they attempted to treat with lifesaving antibiotics but were unsuccessful.

Zeus died in his owner's arms on Tuesday morning. Brittany was devastated, but she thanked the doctors for their efforts.

Zeus was 'world's tallest dog'

Zeus, who was a whopping 1.046 meters (3 feet, 5.18 inches) on all fours, made headlines in 2022 when Guinness World Records named him the world’s tallest living dog. 

Zeus received the plaudit on March 22, 2022, after his height was measured and confirmed by his vet in Bedford, Texas.

Davis had told Guinness World Records at the time, “He’s been a big dog since we got him, even for a puppy. He had huge paws,” as per CNN.

According to the American Kennel Club, Great Danes, descended from hunting dogs from the Middle Ages, tower over other breeds. Other "tallest" dogs before Zeus were also Great Danes, like , Freddy, a Great Dane, from Essex, England, who died aged 8.

The breed is prone to quite a few health conditions and tend to have a shorter life span than other dogs.