R.I.P. World’s Tallest Dog, Corporate Cruellas Face Record Fines, Thousands Lose Pet Insurance, and More!

Kevin, who could stretch to nearly 7 feet tall when standing on this hind legs, died just days after being recognized as the tallest living dog. photo: Guinness World Records

Kevin, We Hardly Knew Ye:
The Brief Reign of the World’s Tallest Dog

A three-year-old Great Dane named Kevin was officially crowned the world's tallest living dog last month by Guinness World Records, replacing the late Zeus who passed away in 2023. Yet just days after taking the title, this gentle giant also died after falling ill and undergoing what was described as an unplanned surgery. 

Named for the character in the 1990 holiday flick Home Alone, Kevin measured an impressive 3'2" at the withers, the highest point of the back with all four paws on the floor. But standing on his hind legs, this black-and-white behemoth reached a breathtaking height of seven feet, according to Guinness.  

Kevin made his home in West Des Moines, Iowa, with his human family, including parents Tracy and Roger Wolfe and their two kids. Friendly to a fault, he’d been known to crouch down when meeting smaller pups to lessen the intimidation factor. And despite his size, his family reported he was actually a bit of a scaredy-cat, especially when his nemesis the vacuum cleaner was on the move.

As with all things Guinness, a new pup is no doubt out there somewhere just waiting to claim the tallest title. For now, rest in peace, big Kevin. You went out a winner.  

Sources:  usatoday.com, abcnews.go.com

Bill Comes Due for Corporate Cruellas:
Record-Setting Fine in Beagles Abuse Case

Remember Envigo, the horrific medical research breeding outfit in Virginia that was busted back in 2002? More than 4,000 Beagles were rescued at the time, many suffering from injuries or illnesses.

Well, the wheels of justice have finally caught up with Envigo and its parent company Inotiv. As part of a plea deal on federal felony charges, the company will pay $35 million, the largest fine ever levied in an animal welfare case. Further, the company is barred from breeding dogs and will remain on probation for up to five years (it had already ceased breeding operations at its Virginia facility as part of a separate civil suit). The agreement also includes a $1.9 million payment to the Humane Society of the United States, with another $1.1 million going to the Virginia Animal Fighting Task Force.

But before we close the book on this sordid chapter, let's give another shout-out to the many families and volunteers from all across the country who stepped up to give thousands of rescued Beagles new homes. In fact, many of these pups are now living their best lives, safe in the knowledge that not all humans are like the corporate Cruellas at Envigo.

Source: nytimes.com

Some dogs may not have Nationwide Insurance after their current policies expire. photo: AdobeStock

Thousands of Pets Lose Health Insurance:
But Is Costly Coverage Worth It?

Thousands of pet owners were recently shocked to learn that Nationwide Insurance is dropping coverage for roughly 100,000 pets across the U.S. And because many of these animals may be older or already ill, owners could face a tough time finding new policies to cover them (unlike the Affordable Care Act requirement for humans, pet insurers do not have to cover preexisting conditions).

Nationwide is mum on exactly what factors were considered in canceling coverage, but it claimed the decisions were "not associated with a pet's breed, age, or prior claims history." As the country's largest provider of pet insurance, it stated the move was necessary "to maintain long-term viability and profitability," which may point to similar cuts by smaller providers in the future.

Meanwhile in other insurance news, a recent study by Spot Pet Insurance found that the most expensive dogs to insure were Cane Corsos, followed by French Bulldogs, noting that their genetic makeup - completely controlled by humans - makes these breeds far more prone to health problems. At the other end of the spectrum, the cheapest dogs to insure were Chihuahuas and Maltipoos.

In fact, with the exception of Frenchies, whose health issues related to overbreeding are well-documented, smaller dogs were generally far less costly to insure than larger ones. "Big dogs cost more, period," observed Dr. Jerry Klein, chief veterinary officer for the American Kennel Club, noting that they eat more, need larger crates, and, if they're sick or injured, require larger doses of medicine and anesthesia.

Almost a quarter of U.S. pet owners now have some kind of pet insurance, with many citing peace of mind as the main reason. But with average premiums for dogs running $56 per month, a recent Consumer Reports survey suggests that most policyholders break even, at best. Researchers also noted that the extreme variability in pet coverage policies made it difficult to compare them. "You really have to do the legwork," said one.

So what's a responsible pet owner to do? With veterinary costs continuing to surge, only one thing is clear: there are no easy answers.

Sources: usatoday.com, nytimes.com

A new study updates guidelines for when you should spay/neuter your dog to prevent increased health risks. photo: AdobeStock

When to Spay or Neuter?
New Research Shows It's Complicated

What's the best time to spay or neuter your pup? Researchers at the University of California, Davis recently published new guidelines for 40 popular dog types sorted by breed and gender. The short version: it's complicated.

Building on an earlier 2013 study, researchers looked at the correlation between spaying or neutering a dog before one year of age and the dog's risk of later developing joint disorders and certain cancers. They were particularly interested in joint disorders because neutering removes sex hormones that play a key role in the closure of bone growth plates.

The study found conditions correlated to early neutering varied widely among the breeds and genders studied. For example, both males and females in Pointer breeds showed elevated joint disorders and increased cancers with early neutering, while only male Mastiffs displayed increased cranial cruciate ligament tears and lymphoma. Female Newfoundlands showed heightened risks for joint disorders, while female Ridgeback breeds showed an increased risk for mast cell tumors. But early neutering showed no significant impacts on joint disorders or cancers for Siberian Huskies of either gender. A table with timing guidelines for the 40 breeds studied is available here.  

The longstanding practice in the U.S. and much of Europe has been to spay or neuter dogs by six months of age. But the UC Davis researchers say this latest study points to the need to consider individual factors in determining the best timing for these procedures.

"It's always complicated to consider an alternate paradigm," said Professor Lynette Hart. But her team hopes their new research will help veterinarians and dog owners make the best decision possible for each individual pet.

Source: sciencedaily.com 

Blue, a brilliant Whippet, saved the day and his best pal, Brandon. photo: Tyree Garrett

Blue Saves the Day:
Whippet Chases Down Help After Truck Crash 

A plucky little Whippet named Blue went the extra mile(s) to get help after his owner's truck plummeted off a mountain road in Oregon last month.

Brandon Garrett, the 62-year-old driver, was traveling with his four dogs at the time of the accident. He managed to crawl free of the wreckage but couldn't make it up the steep, densely wooded incline. Nor could the other injured pups.

Baker County Search and Rescue Ropes Team pull Brandon Garrett across a ravine in a rescue basket. photo: Baker County Sheriff's Office

Despite a cut snout, Blue ran four miles back to where Garrett had been camping and sounded the alarm. After searching through the night, family members spotted Garrett's wrecked truck at the bottom of a steep ravine but were unable to reach it. The area was so remote that Garrett's brother had to drive to find cell phone service to call the local sheriff's office for help.

A search and rescue team soon arrived and found Garrett about a hundred yards from the wreckage, along with his three other dogs, all battered but alive after a long night in the chilly rain. The team chainsawed a path to the site, then loaded Garrett into a rescue basket to pull him across the ravine before airlifting him to a regional hospital. The injured dogs were treated by a local veterinarian.

Sometimes called "the poor man's racehorse," Whippets are typically loyal and gentle dogs, well known for their fleet-footed athleticism. Here's to little Blue for putting these special traits to use when it mattered most.

Sources: independent.co.uk, usatoday.com, nytimes.com