Guinness World Records officials have temporarily suspended the titles of the world’s oldest living dog and the oldest dog ever, held by Bobi the Dog, following doubts about the accuracy of his age. The purebred Rafeiro, who passed away in October at the age of 31 years and 165 days, had previously been declared the oldest living dog, breaking a nearly century-old record.
While the official life expectancy for the Portuguese Rafeiro breed is typically 12 to 14 years, Bobi’s extraordinary age raised eyebrows, prompting a review by Guinness World Records. The suspension was confirmed on Tuesday, pending the completion of the ongoing investigation.
Guinness spokesman stated, “While our review is ongoing, we have decided to temporarily pause both the record titles for Oldest Dog Living and (Oldest Dog) Ever just until all of our findings are in place.”
The exact reasons for the skepticism were not disclosed by the reference site for extreme achievements. However, some critics, as reported by British and US media, questioned the consistency of Bobi’s appearance in photographs from his puppy days to his later years. Additionally, a veterinarian in Lisbon, Miguel Figuereido, noted last year that Bobi did not exhibit typical signs of old age.
Bobi’s owner, Leonel Costa, vehemently defended the dog’s authenticity, asserting that all suspicions are unfounded. Costa accused a “certain elite in the veterinary world” of fueling doubts due to their difficulty accepting that Bobi had been raised on a “natural diet” rather than commercial dog food.
In a statement sent to AFP, Costa explained that the certification process took almost a year, during which he complied with all requirements set by Guinness World Records. He attributed Bobi’s remarkable longevity to a peaceful country lifestyle and a diverse diet.
Bobi, born on May 11, 1992, overcame early challenges in his life. Costa and his sister persuaded their parents to keep Bobi after the rest of the litter was set to be disposed of. Living freely in the woods around the village, Bobi was never restrained and enjoyed a relaxed life with the family cats as he aged.
The temporary suspension of Bobi’s titles underscores the need for further investigation into the dog’s age, challenging the previously celebrated record of the world’s oldest canine.
