Bobi (dog)

male Rafeiro do Alentejo dog

Bobi (11 May 1992 – 21 October 2023) was a male purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo dog cared for by Leonel Costa of Conqueiros Leiria, Portugal. On 2 February 2023, Bobi was confirmed as the first dog on record to live to the age of 30, along with being the oldest dog on record to ever live.[1] On 11 May 2023, Bobi turned 31.[2]

Bobi
SpeciesCanis familiaris
BreedRafeiro do Alentejo
SexMale
Born(1992-05-11)11 May 1992
Conqueiros, Leiria, Portugal
Died21 October 2023(2023-10-21) (aged 31)
Conqueiros, Leiria, Portugal
Known forOldest dog in history whose age can be verified
OwnerCosta Family

Certification

change

Bobi's age has been validated by the Portuguese government's pet database and certified by Guinness World Records.[3]

Bobi was born as one of four male puppies in an outbuilding where his caretaker's family stored wood. His brothers were all buried alive after birth due to Costa's father not wanting to take care of more animals. Since Bobi blended in with the wood at birth, Costa's father did not see him when he was collecting the puppies to bury.[4]

According to Guinness World Records, Bobi is the oldest verified living dog as well as the oldest verified dog in history, being 30 years 266 days old as of evaluation on 1 February 2023,[5] surpassing the previous record held by Bluey, a female Australian Cattle Dog from Victoria, Australia, aged 29 years and 5 months, which had been the record for over 83 years.

Health and longevity

change

The owners have stated that Bobi is in reasonably good health for his age, although he has trouble walking and possesses poor eyesight. Overall, he has had a good run of health, despite collapsing due to breathing difficulties in 2018. The Costas attributed Bobi's longevity to a "calm, peaceful environment" and consumption of fresh food rather than conventional kibble. His longevity could also be attributed to his genetics, as Bobi's mother lived to 18 years.[6]

In honor of Bobi's 31st birthday, 100 guests were invited to celebrate the occasion which was marked by eating meat and fish with a performance by a troupe of dancers.

Bobi died on 21 October 2023, in Conqueiros, Leiria, Portugal, aged 31.[7]

References

change
  1. "Oldest dog ever". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 2023-02-03.
  2. "World's oldest dog Bobi the Rafeiro celebrates his 31st birthday with massive party plans". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2023-05-12. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  3. "Bobi breaks Guinness World Record for oldest dog ever". BBC News. 2023-02-03. Retrieved 2023-02-03.
  4. "'Oldest dog ever,' Bobi, dethrones Guinness World Records holder". 2023-02-02. Retrieved 2023-02-03.
  5. "Oldest dog EVER record broken by 30-year-old Bobi from Portugal". Guinness World Records. 2023-02-02. Retrieved 2023-02-03.
  6. "Bobi breaks Guinness World Record for oldest dog ever". BBC News. 2023-02-03. Retrieved 2023-02-03.
  7. "Bobi, the world's oldest dog ever, dies aged 31". BBC News. 23 October 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.