Guinness World Records officially announced the passing of Bobi, the world’s oldest dog, last week at an animal hospital in Portugal. This remarkable canine achieved a record-breaking lifespan of 31 years and 165 days, spending his entire life with his devoted owner, Leonel Costa, and his family in the Portuguese village of Conqueiros.
Bobi’s remarkable age became a point of recognition in February, just two weeks after a 23-year-old Chihuahua named Spike attempted to claim the title. With Bobi’s passing, Ohio-born Spike now holds the distinction of being the oldest known living dog.
In terms of dog years, Bobi was approximately 86 years old. He was a purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo, a Portuguese breed known for its role as a farm and guardian dog, with an average life expectancy of 12 to 14 years.
The validity of Bobi’s age was confirmed through his 1992 registration with a veterinary medical service in Leiria, Portugal, and through a Portuguese government-owned pet database, as affirmed by Guinness.
Bobi’s remarkable journey began when he was born in a litter of four puppies, with the other three siblings being euthanized by Leonel Costa’s parents due to an overabundance of animals on the farm.
Leonel Costa, Bobi’s owner, recalled the time when he had hidden Bobi to save him from his siblings’ fate. The dog escaped this grim destiny by concealing himself in a stack of wood. When Costa’s parents discovered the dog’s survival, it was too late to take any action.
Bob lived a life of freedom, never tethered or leashed. He enjoyed an exclusive diet of human food, drank plenty of water, and led a serene and tranquil existence. Costa attributes Bobi’s extraordinary old age to his calm and peaceful life.
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On the occasion of Bobi’s 31st birthday in May, his owner organized a traditional Portuguese birthday celebration, attended by over 100 guests, as reported by Guinness.