LISBON, Portugal — Guinness World Records says it has suspended the title of oldest dog ever that was held by a Portuguese dog that died last year. The publication said it was reviewing the title after some veterinarians questioned his age.
Bobi, a reportedly 31-year-old guard dog, lived on a farm in the village of Conqueiros in Portugal with its owner, Leonel Costa. He was announced as the world’s oldest living dog and oldest dog ever last February. He was said to have been born on May 11, 1992. He died last October.
“While our review is ongoing we have decided to temporarily pause both the record titles for oldest dog living and ever just until all of our findings are in place,” Guinness World Records told The Associated Press by email on Tuesday.
The group said it had received correspondence from some vets questioning the dog's age and took note of public commentary from vets and other professionals.
Bobi was a purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo, a breed that has an average life expectancy of some 10 to 14 years.
Calls to the dog's owner rang unanswered and he didn’t respond to text messages.
Bobi was named the world's oldest living dog and the world's oldest dog ever in February 2023. At the time of his world record, he was 30 years old and claimed the record from Bluey, an Australian cattle dog, who died in 1939 aged 29 and had held the record for almost a century.
"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 and if he spoke only he could explain this success. We are very happy and grateful to life for allowing us, after 30 years, to have Bobi in our daily lives,” His owner Leonel Costa said in a statement at the time.
