The tallest dog in the world, the Great Dane, 8 years old, dies

The world has lost a gentle giant this week.

Freddy, the tallest dog in the world, died at 8 ½ years old, according to an announcement by Guinness World Records (GWR).

The Great Dane, from Essex, United Kingdom, received his title in 2016 for his enormous height of 3 feet and 4 inches from the foot to the withers. When he stood on his hind legs, Freddy was 2.15 meters tall, the ad said.

“He was not just the tallest dog, but the dog with the most love and the biggest heart,” said Freddy’s owner, Claire Stoneman, in a statement.

‘HERO’ GARBAGE TRUCK DRIVER RESCUE PUPPY FOUND IN DISCARDED Rucksack

“He was my life,” added Stoneman. “My reason. My joy. My annoyance. My happiness and my final sadness. He was my heart, Dane. My one in a million and loved by everyone.”

DOG WITH DEFECT AT BIRTH IS TAKEN BY THE FAMILY THAT IS LOOKING TO ADOPT

Stoneman previously told GWR that when she first caught him as a puppy, he was the smallest in the litter.

Freddy, the tallest dog in the world, died earlier this week, according to Guinness World Records. (Photo credit: Paul Michael Hughes / Guinness World Records)

“I had no idea it was going to get this big,” said Stoneman.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPLICATION

GWR editor-in-chief Craig Glenday, who helped measure Freddy for the record in 2016, called the dog “such a gentle giant”.

The Great Dane 8 and a half years old was 3 feet and 4 inches tall from the feet to the withers. (Photo credit: Paul Michael Hughes / Guinness World Records)

“It has always been a pleasure to see him running towards you,” Glenday said in a statement.

“I can still hardly believe he was the smallest in the litter,” added Glenday. “Freddy brought a smile to everyone’s face and will be missed [everyone] on Guinness World Records. I am very happy that we had the chance to celebrate his record immensity in the books and share his story with millions of people around the world. RIP, Freddy. “

CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

“I can’t stop crying,” Stoneman told GWR. “He was my life.”