World's Tallest Dog Zeus Passes Away After Leg Amputation Surgery — Rest in Peace

Emma Ackerman

Among the billions of dogs around the world, there are those who leave a mark that's hard to forget. The tallest dog in the world, Zeus, is surely one of them. He was an incredibly massive Great Dane at 3 feet and 5.18 inches and was the world’s tallest dog in 2022. However, it is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Zeus. This was caused by complications that arose after his leg was amputated.

In 2022, Zeus made headlines when he set the Guinness World Record for being the tallest dog on the planet. His owner, Brittany Davis, of Bedford, Texas, always knew he was extraordinary, with his huge paws and towering presence that can even compare with the size of a horse.

“He’s been a big dog since we got him, even for a puppy. He had huge paws,” owner Brittany Davis, from Bedford, Texas, told Guinness World Records at the time.

After achieving fame, Zeus continued to enjoy life with a taste for ice cubes, jumping over fences to greet other dogs, and sneaking food from countertops. Despite his massive size, he was gentle, especially with Brittany's baby.
Tragically, Zeus's health changed for the worse when he was diagnosed with bone cancer in one of his front legs. On September 7, he underwent surgery to amputate the leg, with the hope of reducing his pain and giving him more time.

“He’s hurting now,” Brittany told WFAA. “We don’t want him to hurt. We don’t want him to be in pain. I want him to be as healthy as he can be. Mostly, I want him to be pain free and enjoy what time we have left.”

Brittany then started a GoFundMe campaign to cover the surgery expenses. However, a heartbreaking setback occurred: Zeus developed pneumonia related to the amputation.

Just recently, Brittany and her family announced Zeus's passing, expressing their deep grief. They shared that Zeus passed away peacefully, with his head in Brittany's lap, receiving ear scratches and kisses. He was only 3 1/2 years old.

“Our baby boy is gone. Our hearts are broken,” Brittany wrote on GoFundMe. “He had the absolute best doctors who sat of the floor and cried with us. He fought hard but the pneumonia was just too much. He is not in pain anymore. He is resting peacefully.”

Surely, Zeus made an everlasting impression on their lives and gave countless people great joy.

In the family’s statement to WFAA, they said that Zeus made an everlasting impression on their lives and gave countless people great joy. They also expressed their appreciation for the hard-working medical staff's dedication and all the supporters who helped Zeus. While they knew he was now in a better place, they couldn't help but miss their beloved companion.
“We are so grateful for the time we had with Zeus. He brought us so much joy and happiness to so many people. He will be deeply missed by our entire family. We are so thankful for the amazing team of humans who have been with us through this. Zeus had the absolute best doctors and nurses working around the clock to help him, but in the end, he was just too sick. We would also like to thank everyone who has reached out to us with their condolences. It means a lot to us during this difficult time.” the family wrote in a statement to WFAA.

“We know that Zeus is in a better place now, running free and eating the good stuff off of the countertops in Heaven. We will never forget him. Goodbye, Zeusy, We Love you! Cancer Sucks!”

Rest in peace, Zeus, a truly extraordinary and irreplaceable dog who will be remembered with love and fondness. Our hearts go out to Zeus's family during this challenging time, and we encourage you to share this story in memory of this remarkable canine friend.