WATCH: Portuguese dog becomes oldest in world after almost being buried at birth
Luke Gentile
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Guinness World Records declared a purebred Portuguese pooch the oldest dog ever recorded on Thursday.
Bobi, a Rafeiro do Alentejo, escaped death as a newborn puppy and was recorded to be 30 years and 266 days old on Wednesday, according to a release by Guinness World Records.
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“Two weeks after announcing Spike [a 23-year-old Chihuahua] as the world’s oldest dog living, Guinness World Records have received evidence of an older dog,” the release read. “A much older dog. In fact, Bobi (b. 11 May 1992) is not just the oldest dog living; he’s the oldest dog ever.”
“He has lived his entire life with the Costa family in the rural village of Conqueiros, in Leiria, Portugal.”
Rafeiro do Alentejos were bred to be livestock guardian dogs and have a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years, according to the release.
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“The Portuguese pooch has broken an almost century-old record; the previous oldest dog ever, Bluey (1910-1939), was an Australian cattle-dog who lived to be 29 years 5 months old,” the release read.
“In 1992 Bobi was registered with Servico Medico-Veterinario do Municipio de Leiria (Veterinary Medical Service of the Municipality of Leiria), who have confirmed Bobi’s birth date.”
The Sistema de Informacao de Animais de Companhia [SIAC], a Portuguese pet database, confirmed Bobi’s age, according to Guinness World Records.
Bobi was nearly killed at birth when he was born to a litter of at least four male puppies, Leonel Costa said.
“I was eight years old,” Costa, 38. “My father was a hunter, and we always had many dogs.”
“Unfortunately, at that time it was considered normal by older people who could not have more animals at home … to bury the animals in a hole so that they would not survive.”
However, when the puppies were taken by Costa’s parents, they left Bobi behind by accident.
The family realized something was strange when the puppies’ mother kept returning to the building where they were born, Costa said.
“We found the situation strange, because if the animals were no longer there, why would she go there?!” he said.
Costa and his brothers soon found Bobi, and they decided to hide him from their parents, he said.
“We knew that when the dog opened its eyes, my parents would no longer bury it,” Costa said. “It was popular knowledge that this act could not or should be done.”
Eventually, his parents found Bobi, Costa said, and they were not happy.
“I confess that when they found out that we already knew, they screamed a lot and punished us, but it was worth it and for a good reason!” he said.
Ever since then, Bobi has lived a happy and “very sociable” life as part of the family, according to Costa.
Costa attributes Bobi’s longevity to his “calm, peaceful environment … far from the cities,” where he roams forests and farmland, according to the release.
Although he has slowed down and his eyesight is not as good as it used to be, Bobi still likes to be outside with his feline friends and eat human food.
“Between a can of animal food or a piece of meat, Bobi doesn’t hesitate and chooses our food,” Costa said. “We have regular [vet] appointments with him and the exams have always shown that he is doing well for his advanced age,” he said.
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“Bobi is special because looking at him is like remembering the people who were part of our family and unfortunately are no longer here, like my father, my brother, or my grandparents who have already left this world. Bobi represents those generations.”
Bobi will turn 31 in May.