WASHINGTON — Bobi, the 31-year-old canine from Portugal who was named the world's oldest dog ever, has died.
The Guinness World Records announced Bobi's death on Monday morning. The 31-year-old canine died on Saturday in a veterinary hospital in the Portuguese village of Conqueiros.
"Last night, this sweet boy earned his wings. Despite outliving every dog in history, his 11,478 days on earth would never be enough, for those who loved him," Dr. Karen Becker, a veterinarian who met Bobi several times, said on Facebook. "Godspeed, Bobi…you’ve taught the world all you were meant to teach."
Bobi lived to be 31 years and 165 days old.
The Rafeiro do Alentejo was born on his family’s farm in the village of Conqueiros, Portugal, on May 11, 1992, according to a press release from Guinness World Records.
His owner told Guinness World Records that Bobi's "calm, peaceful" environment contributed to his record-breaking age.
Bobi was named the world's oldest living dog and the world's oldest dog ever in February. At the time of his world record, he was 30 years old.
The Rafeiro do Alentejo breed typically have a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years.
"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.
Bobi claimed the Guinness World Record from Bluey, an Australian cattle dog, who died in 1939 aged 29 and had held the record for almost a century.
