World’s Tallest Dog From Otsego Dies at Age 5

[magical thyme]

(OTSEGO, Mich.) — The Great Dane from Michigan that held the title of world’s tallest dog has died at age 5.

Owner Kevin Doorlag told the Kalamazoo Gazette that Zeus made his debut in the 2012 edition of Guinness World Records as the tallest living dog. Zeus was 44 inches tall at the shoulder and 7 feet, 4 inches on his hind legs.

Zeus died last week from old age, just two months shy of his sixth birthday, according to Doorlag.

http://time.com/3330792/worlds-tallest-dog-from-otsego-dies-at-age-5/#3330792/worlds-tallest-dog-from-otsego-dies-at-age-5/

[bettyellen]

1. 5 years is OLD AGE? WTF?

[magical thyme]

3. I don't think these very huge dogs have very long life spans

although 5 going on 6 is ridiculously short, iirc 7-8 is more average for the really huge dogs.

[bullwinkle428]

5. Large breed dogs in general have shorter lifespans to begin with; Stephanie

Miller has always had huge dogs, and unfortunately, ended up losing most of them at relatively young ages.

[procon]

7. Oooh, Great Pyrenees!

They've been my dearest companions since the 70s, and they tend to live a little longer than most of the other giant breeds. Two of my girls happily made it to 10 and 11, and Powder, who is presently dosing with the cats, is now a matronly 8.

[BrotherIvan]

10. I want one so badly I can't stand it

But living in a warm climate, I'm not sure that's fair. Do you find they are good house dogs or do they need a lot of yard? Is grooming a problem or prohibitive expense? I was told by one owner she spend $250 a month at the groomers! I envy you your beautiful dogs!

[procon]

14. I live in the Calif desert

and Prys are often seen working as livestock guardians with large flocks of grazing sheep around here in 100+ temperatures. They shed out their undercoat in the spring, but I still get them a summer clip and a bath which costs $80. Other than that, I just use a mat rake the rest of the year. Certainly if you want them to look grand and showy, regular grooming will make them look spectacularly impressive.

Pyrs tend to be nocturnal so they doze during the day and are more active in patrolling their territory at night if they're outside. They aren't rambunctious as they were bred to work with small livestock like sheep and goats. They are quite independent so early on a basic obedience training is a must. They have no inclination to chase or run which also makes them great with children, but they do bark as part of their territorial marking.

Originally our Prys were working dogs, but even though all our critters are gone now we still keep the dogs as beloved companions. I know lots of Pyrs that live happily in apts, and our Powder is as much a spoiled house dog as any pampered Poodle. If your heart wants one, find a good breeder and talk to them about the breed.

[BrotherIvan]

15. I live in SoCal too

That's good news that they don't mind the heat. I've seen just a few and they turn me into a pile of goo. A man had a pair he was walking on day and everyone had to stop and pet them they were so stunning. Gentle and sweet. The male's head was so huge I just wanted to hug it. I've read they can be very willful, but having had dogs and larger dogs when I was younger, I always make sure they are very well trained. I just thought that living in the city with no yard wouldn't be the best. It's either a Pyr or a Leonberger because giant and fluffy just gets me every time! Best to you and your amazing dogs!

[Xyzse]

28. That is beautiful... I want one so badly too...

[BrotherIvan]

37. I know, right?

Look at that big dog hug! Just gorgeous.

[Xyzse]

39. I know...

I will never get one though.
I can't justify it, and my lifestyle is not fair for the dog.

[get the red out]

30. Those are such sweet dogs

So regal. I love Pyrs.

[BrotherIvan]

38. Very rare to see one

But there are rescues that I've been looking at. If I had more land, I don't know how many dogs I would have because I love all kinds (except the smaller breeds that tend to be more aggressive). The one in your photo looks beautiful too!

[get the red out]

41. Thanks

She is our BC mix. I love pastoral breeds. Puts and BCs are good working teams. Of course Layla's "work" is dog agility, cuddles, and Fedex delivery alerts, LOL.

[smokey nj]

8. Great Danes have a very short life-span,

only 6 - 8 years.

[bettyellen]

23. Oh wow, I could not handle that, no way. So sad.

[KittyWampus]

24. going through that pain every 6 years would be unbearable.

[bettyellen]

26. I give big props to those who take in older pets knowing they have that much less time but...

this breeding for size and neglecting their health crap has got to go. So cruel.

[newcriminal]

2. Zeus died last week from old age, just two months shy of his sixth birthday?

[liberal_at_heart]

19. I thought dogs weren't considered old until they were 7 or 8. Our lab lived for 9 years.

I wonder why Zeus died at five.

[Shrike47]

4. He would have hit me mid-chest. That's one big dog!

[shenmue]

6. Dog Heaven

is a little more crowded.

[tblue37]

9. As much as I love big dogs, I think breeding dogs to the size where

their life span is so drastically shortened is cruel. My friend had a Great Dane who died of heart failure at 6 years old, too. He was such a sweet animal. He deserved a much longer life.

Many of the extreme breed forms are essentially death sentences for the unfortunate animals. I have known several people with bull dogs that lasted only 4 or 5 years, too. (That is not at all uncommon in bull dogs.)

[Scootaloo]

13. Agreed. There needto be some serious outbreeding programs

Forget "save the breed," every "pure breed's" standard has become so absurdly exaggerated that it's no longer worth saving. bring these animals back to being animals, living beings instead of fashion accessory and furnityre

[nomorenomore08]

17. "living beings instead of fashion accessory and furniture"

Hear hear!

[liberal_at_heart]

20. I was just wondering about that. I agree with you about breeding. It is cruel what we have done to

dogs.

[KittyWampus]

25. many pure bred dogs are intentionally bred for characteristics that cause pain/suffering.

And the AKC, damn them, is instrumental in this.

There was a website that cataloged differences between breeds from the 1950's and what they look like now.

It's horrifying.

[bettyellen]

27. it's all about money and ego instead of the dog, they corrupt everything. Ugh.

[get the red out]

31. I have seen that

What they have done to show-line German Shepherds is a crime. They look like they can hardly walk.

There are big differences between show bred dogs and dogs bred to do the work they were originally intended for. It's amazing. The Labs I see in the big dog shows on TV look like they would have a heart attack if they tried to swim out and retrieve a duck, but my morning walking buddy has too "field bred" labs that are lean and athletic.

[hollysmom]

35. I hated it when the AKC accepted the border collie a few years ago, so many angry fans of the breed

Waiting for the intelligence bred out of them.

[get the red out]

36. I have read about that situation

We adopted our BC mix four years ago and that led me to reading a LOT about her main breed. That is still a very sticky subject with long time Border Collie people. I can certainly understand them not wanting to sacrifice what this wonderful breed is all about. AKC Border Collies have so much fur, and are already built a lot more blocky, from what I've noticed.

[hollysmom]

34. here is one

http://dogbehaviorscience.wordpress.com/2012/09/29/100-years-of-breed-improvement/

[KittyWampus]

40. That is exactly the page I remember! Thanks.

[Electric Monk]

11. I found some more pics of Zeus with a google image search...

[cyberswede]

12. His expression in that last photo is priceless!

He looks like he was a sweetie.

Peace to the family.

[LeftyMom]

16. Danes all think they're lap dogs. It's the best.

It's annoying because they outweigh me, but they're too dopey to get mad at.

[nomorenomore08]

18. That is one freakishly big (but cute) dog!

[magical thyme]

21. he looks absolutely emaciated in at least one of those photos

you can play the xylophone on ribs and spine. Is that normal for the really large dogs? I can't imagine that would be tolerated in my neck of the woods.

[VScott]

22. Some of those are Giant George...

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/entertainment/2013/10/giant-george-the-worlds-tallest-dog-has-died/


https://www.google.com/search?q=%22giant+george%22&biw=1344&bih=676&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=PAwTVOK0JsmtyATW6oLwAg&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_George

[get the red out]

29. Dear God

When will people give a damn about the quality of lives the dogs they breed have? Too many sick narcissists breeding animals to suffer. No dog should ever be bred to be this large, it is a death sentence. Less than six years? I see medium sized 10 and 12 year old dogs blowing through courses in veterans class at dog agility trials.

How heart-breaking, my BC mix is now just starting to settle a little at 4, this poor dog was in old age by then. Two of the best dogs I see at trials are 9.

[LibertyLover]

32. Sadly, the bigger the dog

the younger they tend to die. I just lost my greyhound bitch who was 13. The vet, whose own greyhound is 13, said that she didn't know of many greys who lived to that age. All of my German Shepherds died at 9 or 10 too. May Zeus run with his pack at the Rainbow Bridge. I know my Hex is doing that.

[pansypoo53219]

33. i have met a sheltie that was 21 +looked like a puppy. and my cousin's mix breed hound is

15 or so. i think its all the exerciZe she gets chasing people + dogs walking by their fence. luc of the draw. just more pets to get to love suppose.