A great dane from Michigan that held the title of world's tallest dog has died aged five.

Its 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 112cm (44in) tall at the shoulder and 218cm tall on his hind legs.

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

Zeus weighed 75kg (11.8st) and ate a 13.6kg 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.