World’s tallest dog dies at age 5

In this photo taken on Sept. 9, 2010, Kevin Doorlag plays with his Great Dane Zeus as Nick Doorlag, right, watches in Ostego, Mich. Zeus, who held the title of world’s tallest dog, died last week from old age, just two months short of his sixth birthday. Zeus was 44 inches tall at the shoulder and 7-feet, 4-inches on his hind legs. AP/Kalamazoo Gazette-MLive Media Group, Jonathon Gruenke

OTSEGO, Michigan— A 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 (112 centimeters) tall at the shoulder and 7 feet, 4 inches (218 centimeters) on his hind legs.

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

Zeus weighed 165 pounds (75 kilograms) and ate a 30-pound (13.6-kilogram) bag of food every two weeks, the Battle Creek Enquirer reported.

Zeus was a local celebrity in the Kalamazoo area and frequently visited local schools and hospitals as a therapy dog.