It was recorded in February of 2023 by Guinness World Records that Bobi, a Portuguese breed of dog called Rafeiro do Alentejo, took the new record for world’s oldest dog, at 31 years old.
Dogs hold a special place in the heart of humanity. They provide unconditional love, friendship, companionship and the list goes on. Many people draw strong emotional conditions to these animals for these reasons. One constraint- their short lives. This bond comes to an end and nothing hurts more than the feeling of emptiness left once losing your furry friend. But is there hope for extending this canine connection?
Bobi’s 31 years do just that. Bobi’s mother had lived to 18 and the family’s previous dog had lived to the age of 22. The pup celebrated his birthday with his family in southern Portugal in which his owner Leonel Costa had around 100 people set to attend and an entire dance troupe perform. Bobi received much attention as many people found interest in his long life, requesting pictures and time with the dog.
Unfortunately, Bobi passed away on October 21, 2023. A variety of factors contributed to Bobi’s long life. He lived in a calm environment with his family, lived off the leash, and ate human food. Many animal activists have rallied against pet food and Danny Chambers of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons said that activists have “long campaigned that dog food is killing pets and that raw feeding is healthier.” However, this diet typically only works for dogs smaller than Bobi. At a certain point, Bobi began to experience difficulty walking and bad eyesight. He was hospitalized only once for suddenly collapsing due to breathing difficulty. Leonel Costa was 8 years old when he brought Gobi into his home. Mr.Costa and his brothers hid the dog’s existence from their parents since they originally wanted to put the dog down due to having too many pets. Eventually, the entire family discovered Bobi and he became a part of the family. In his later years, the dog created a nostalgic feeling for Leonel, considering how he was around longer than many of Costa’s family members who have passed. Leonel was still able to feel connected to these people through Bobi.
Although this dog’s age has been validated by the Portuguese government’s pet database managed by the National Union of Veterinarians, people have been continuously questioning how this dog lived to the age of 200 human years and if this information is valid. Guinness World Records has been investigating the genuinity of the dog’s age. Danny Chambers also mentions that “not a single one of my veterinary colleagues believe Bobi was actually 31 years old.” But until proven otherwise, Bobi has taken the crown for the world’s oldest dog as recorded by Guinness World Records.