Bobi, the world’s oldest dog, died at the age of 31 in Conqueiros, Portugal, on Saturday, October 21. Guinness World Records confirmed on Monday. Bobi, a purebred Rafeiro Alentejano, achieved an impressive lifespan of 31 years and 165 days, breaking a record set in 1939 by an Australian cattle dog that died at 29 years and five months.
Bobi’s breed, traditionally employed as sheepdogs, typically boasts a life expectancy of 12-14 years. His owner, Leonel Costa, credited Bobi’s extraordinary longevity to several factors. These included him spending his entire life in the countryside, not being chained up or kept on a leash, and a diet consisting of “human food.”
‘Is there ever enough time?’
Veterinarian Dr. Karen Becker, who met Bobi several times, took to Facebook to announce Bobi’s death on social media on Sunday, writing, “Is there ever enough time? I think not.
“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,” she added.
How did Bobi manage to not get buried as a newborn?
When Bobi was born, the Costa family had many animals but little financial resources. Thus, Costa’s father, a hunter, opted to bury newborn puppies rather than raise them.
However, miraculously, Bobi managed to hide himself amidst a pile of firewood and was discovered by Costa and his sibling several days later. They decided to keep him secret until the moment the puppy opened his eyes.
“We knew that when he opened his eyes, my parents wouldn’t be able to bury him,” Costa told Reuters earlier this year.
Bobi received the Guinness world record in February
The historic dog received the Guinness World Record for World’s Oldest Living Dog in February.
“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,” Costa told Guinness World Records, at that time. “We are very happy and grateful to life for allowing us, after 30 years, to have Bobi in our daily lives.”