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Bobi, a dog previously recognized as the oldest ever in the world, has been stripped of his title following a probe by the Guinness World Records.
On Thursday, GWR announced there was no evidence to support the dog’s claim to that record. Bobi — a purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo from Conqueiros, Portugal — died last October, five months after celebrating what was reportedly his 31st birthday.
“Without any conclusive evidence available to us right now, we simply can’t retain Bobi as the record holder and honestly claim to maintain the high standards we set ourselves,” Guinness Director of Records Mark McKinley said in a statement. “Of course, as with any record, we’ll gladly assess any new evidence should we receive any.”
The late dog’s title was suspended in January after an investigation raised questions about his age.
“Central to Bobi’s evidence was microchip data sourced from the Portuguese government database, the SIAC [Companion Animal Information System], which … did not require proof of age for dogs born before 2008,” McKinley explained. “With the additional veterinary statement provided as evidence for Bobi’s age also citing this microchip data, we’re left with no conclusive evidence which can definitively prove Bobi’s date of birth.”
According to the American Kennel Club, Rafeiro do Alentejo dogs have an average life expectancy of 12 to 14 years. But the dog’s owner, Leonel Costa, attributed his exceedingly long life to a diet of healthy human food and a “peaceful environment.”
Described as calm and sociable, Bobi was never tied up, chained or leashed, and was allowed to roam around the home he shared with four cats.
Prior to Bobi being declared for the title in February 2023, the previous record-holder was an Australian cattle dog named Bluey, who died in 1939 at 29 years, 5 months.
For now, it’s not clear which one of man’s best friends will take over the title of Oldest Dog Ever.
“We’re not yet in a position to confirm a new holder for the record, although we certainly hope that the publicity around the record title encourages pet owners from around the world to get in touch,” McKinley said.
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