The Guinness World Records (GWR) has confirmed that a 30-year-old purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo from Portugal is the oldest dog in the world.
Bobi is now 30 years and 269, breaking nearly a century-old record by Australian cattle dog Bluey as the oldest dog.
The dog has lived with the Costa family in Leiria's Conqueiros in Portugal, where he was registered with the municipality's Veterinary Medical Service, which confirmed Bobi's age, as well as the Portuguese pet database Companion Animal Information System.
Bobi was the first of four male puppies, and the Costas almost didn't keep the dog because they already had a large number of animals.
Leonel's parents quickly took the newborn puppies, forgetting about Bobi, while Gira, the mother, was not present. She would return to the area where she gave birth, and it was then that Leonel and his brothers realized Bobi had been saved.
Leonel revealed that his parents punished the brothers after learning about Bobi, but that it was well worth it.
He believes Bobi has lived so long because he was raised in a "calm, peaceful environment... far from the cities," was never chained or leashed, and was sociable with others; his mother Gira lived to be 18 years old.
Bobi, who turns 31 in May, spends less time walking — especially because his eyesight causes him to collide with objects — and prefers to lie in bed or by the fire after a meal of water-soaked human food and play in the backyard with four cat friends.
