Published: 5:24 p.m. EDT, September 13, 2023 | Updated: 5:58 p.m. EDT, September 13, 2023
The world’s largest dog, Zeus, a majestic Great Dane who stood 90 centimeters taller than his peers, has died at the age of three after a tragic battle with cancer.
With seven feet on his hind legs, Zeus often dwarfed his owners in Texas. He set the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest dog in 2022, following in the footsteps of another Great Dane of the same name who previously held the title.
But cancer took away one of his legs at the beginning of the year and led to severe pneumonia.
Today his distraught owners announced his death on social media and in an interview with Guinness World Records.
With seven feet on his hind legs, Zeus often dwarfed his owners in Texas. He set the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest dog in 2022, following in the footsteps of another Great Dane of the same name who previously held the title
RIP Zeus: The feisty Great Dane was only three years old when he was diagnosed with cancer and then pneumonia
Zeus in a picture recently taken and shared by his owner. He was diagnosed with cancer and then pneumonia
Zeus’ owner announces his death on Instagram
“Zeus was a really special dog. He was gentle, loving, very stubborn, but was always happy to see his family and many, many friends on his adventures in Dallas and Fort Worth.
“Zeus packed a lot of life into three short years and was prepared to beat cancer,” said his owner, Brittany Davis.
He died with his head “in his mother’s lap,” her father added.
After his cancer diagnosis, Davis founded a GoFundMe Page to raise money for the high treatment costs.
She managed to raise $12,244 of a $20,000 goal, and as Zeus’ battle with cancer continued, Davis posted updates on the fundraising page to let his supporters know exactly what was going on.
Zeus was named the world’s largest dog in 2022 after his owner submitted his measurements
Zeus with owner Brittany Davis. She announced his death today on social media and in an interview
Zeus’ diet consisted of 12 cups of food per day and the occasional fried egg “as a snack.”
Many donors shared heartfelt messages for Davis and her family.
Davis, who considered Zeus her “dog child,” received the puppy as a gift from her brother, and after noticing his remarkable growth in size, she decided to contact Guinness World Records.
Great Danes often live to be seven or ten years old.
The American Kennel Club also reported, “These gentle giants unfortunately live only 7 to 10 years – although they are sure to fill those years with a lifetime of love.”
Zeus became a part of Davis’ life when he was just eight weeks old, and he grew so large that it was typical for him to steal food from the kitchen counter and drink straight from the sink.
As for his diet, The New York Post reported that Zeus ate up to “12 cups of food a day with the occasional fried egg as a snack.”
Davis told Guinness World Records that her beloved Zeus was “very laid back” and strong-willed.
Davis told Guinness World Records that her beloved Zeus was “very laid back” and strong-willed
