Bobi was crowned the world’s oldest ever by Guinness World Records in February last year. Image: GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS
Review of the ‘World’s Oldest Dog’.
Last year, Bobi, a Portuguese dog, made headlines when he was recognised by Guinness World Records (GWR) as the oldest dog ever, shattering a record that had stood for a century.
At the official age of 31 years and 165 days, Bobi passed away in October.
However, as some vets questioned the data supporting Bobi’s age, his title is now in dispute. GWR has now put the title on hold while they look into it.
Bobi was a purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo, a breed with a 12–14 year lifespan on average.
According to GWR last year, his advanced age was verified by the Portuguese government’s pet database, which is run by the National Union of Veterinarians.
However, mistrust grew along with the fast spread of word about his coronation.
According to a Wired magazine investigation, Bobi was listed as being born in 1992 on Portugal’s pet database, but there was “no registration or data that can confirm or deny this statement.”
Older images of the animal that displayed various fur markings raised concerns as well; some said the dog in the pictures was a different breed entirely.
Some experts have said they doubt Bobi was actually 31. Image: REUTERS
Scepticism among professionals has been on the rise.
A Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons member named Danny Chambers stated to The Guardian, “Not a single one of my veterinary colleagues believes Bobi was actually 31 years old.
“ Guinness World Records has now initiated an official inquiry.
“While our review is ongoing, we have decided to temporarily pause applications on both the record titles for oldest dog living and (oldest dog) ever until all of our findings are in place and have been communicated,” a spokeswoman for AFP stated.
Bobi was raised by the Costa family in the Portuguese village of Conqueiros, which is close to the country’s west coast.
“An elite within the veterinary world… tried to give people the idea that Bobi’s life story was not true,” according to a statement released by his owner, Leonel Costa.
Mr. Costa thinks the controversy started because he said Bobi’s long life was caused by eating a human diet instead of pet food.
He claims that this is contrary to what many veterinarians advise.
Mr. Costa stated that everything GWR had asked for to certify Bobi’s age had been provided.
“Everything would be different if we had said he ate pet food for three decades,” he said.
The oldest dog ever was Australia’s Bluey, who passed away in 1939 at the age of 29. Bobi was the oldest dog alive until her death.