'A warrior': 30-year-old Bobi named oldest living dog of all time by Guiness World Records
LEIRIA, PORTUGAL: A Portuguese farm dog, affectionately known as ‘Bobi’, has reportedly been declared the world’s oldest living dog ever. Guinness World Records crowned Bobi, who is 30 years and 266 days old, as the new record holder on Wednesday, February 1. The historic title was previously held by Bluey, an Australian cattle dog who lived 29 years and 5 months before taking his last breath in November 1939.
Bobi, a purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo, spent his entire life with the Costa family in the rural village of Conqueiros, in Leiria, Portugal. The adorable pooch was registered with the Municipality of Leiria's Veterinary Medical Service in 1992. As per the Guinness World record, his age was certified by SIAC, a pet database authorized by the Portuguese government and managed by the National Union of Veterinarians. Despite his elderly status, Bobi is a fit, calm, and friendly dog who loves playing with his family’s four cats.
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Bobi’s owners describe him as ‘one of a kind’
His owner, Leonel Costa, 38, described him as 'one of a kind'. Costa believes the secret behind Bobi’s astonishing age is the fact that he spent his entire life in the countryside where he was surrounded by a peaceful environment and healthy nature. Costa said he hopes that Bobi can still father puppies, as he is the last of a long generation of animals. "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," he asserted as per Daily Mail.
"We are very happy and grateful to live for allowing us, after 30 years, to have Bobi in our daily lives," he added while saying that seeing Bobi's long life recognized by becoming a Guinness World Records title holder 'is an immense joy'. Costa said looking at Bobi enjoying his life at the age of 30 reminds him of his childhood days when he used to play with his best friend every day. The oldest living pooch was born as one of four male pups, in an outbuilding where the Costa family stored wood.
How Leonel Costa met Bobi?
"I was eight years old," said Costa. "My father was a hunter, and we always had many dogs." But looking at the number on their farm, Costa’s father decided to bury the four puppies in a deep hole so that they couldn’t survive. Gratefully, he forgot Bobi and when Costa and his brother saw him, they decided to keep him. "We knew that when the dog opened its eyes, my parents would no longer bury it. It was popular knowledge that this act could not or should be done," Leonel explained.
The Costa family never shackled or leashed Bobi as he always liked wandering the fields. Now he has grown old and struggles to walk but he still loves to play with the cats. Bobi sleeps well at night and enjoys a good rest after meals, as well as relaxing by the fireplace on particularly cold days.