A Portuguese dog named Bobi celebrated his 30th birthday in a tiny village in central Portugal last year. Guinness World Records has recognised him as the “oldest dog in the world.” Rafeiro do Alentejo dogs typically live 12 to 14 years, and Bobi is a purebred member of this breed. He was 30 years and 266 days old as of February 1.
Four weeks after 23-year-old Spike of Ohio in the United States was declared the oldest dog in the world, Bobi snatches the title. Bobi is described as a calm and sociable pet who enjoys relaxing by the fireplace on particularly chilly days. A cattle dog from Australia named Bluey, who lived for 29 years and five months before passing away in 1939, was beaten by Bobi to become the oldest dog ever.
Leonel Costa, who petted Bobi near a church in the village of Conqueiros in central Portugal, said that Bobi had broken an almost century-old record held by an Australian cattle dog that died at 29 years and five months in 1939.
The dog’s owner, Leonel Costa, said: “Bobi has been a warrior for all these years, only he knows how he’s been holding on – it must not be easy because the average dog’s life span is not that high. If he spoke only he could explain this success.”
Mr Costa said Bobi is a “one of a kind” and had just one health scare in 2018, but now lives a normal life, despite some eyesight and old-age-related issues. He said Bobi’s honour is “an immense joy”.
In 1992 Bobi was registered with Serviço Medico-Veterinario do Municipio de Leiria (the Veterinary Medical Service of the Municipality of Leiria), which has confirmed his birth date. Bobi’s age has also been verified by SIAC, a pet database authorised by the Portuguese government and managed by the Sindicato Nacional dos Medicos Veterinarios (the National Union of Veterinarians).