
By Gabriela Baron
Thirty-year old canine “Bobi,” has been declared the world’s oldest dog, according to the Guinness World Records.
“Bobi”, a purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo, a breed of livestock guardian dog with a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years, is 30 years and 266 days old as of Feb. 1.
He has lived his entire life in the rural village of Coqueiros in Leiria, Portugal.
“Bobi” has also 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 and 5 months old.
His owner, Leonal Costa, 38, who was eight when “Bobi” was corn, described him as “one of a kind” who socializes with other animals, including cats.
Costa said one of the biggest contributing factors of the dog’s longevity is the “calm, peaceful, environment” he lives in, “far from the cities.”
The dog has also never been chained up nor attached to a leash and has always enjoyed free roam of the forests and farmland surrounding their home.
According to Costa, “Bobi” has always eaten “human food,” but without the seasonings.
“Between a can of animal food or a piece of meat, Bobi doesn’t hesitate and chooses our food,” he added.
This after Guinness World Records announced two weeks ago that “Spike,” a 23-year-old Chihuahua from the United States, claimed the record for oldest living dog.