Guinness World Records announced that a 30-year-old Portuguese dog is the oldest dog in the world, breaking a record that had stood for a century.
Bobby is a purebred Ravero do Alentejo, a breed with a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years.
Australian terrier Blueie, who died in 1939 at the age of 29 years and five months, was previously the oldest dog in history.
Bobby was 30 years and 226 days old as of February 1 and is considered healthy for his age.
According to Guinness World Records, his great age was confirmed by the Portuguese government's pet database, which is managed by the National Union of Veterinarians.
He was born with three brothers in an outhouse and spent his entire life with the Costa family in the village of Conqueiros, near the west coast of Portugal.
Eight-year-old Leonel Costa says Bobby managed to escape, although his parents had to put the puppies to bed because they had too many animals.
Bobby's secret to longevity
He and his brothers hid the dog from Lionel's parents until he was finally found and adopted by the family, who gave him the same food they gave them.
“Between a can of pet food and a piece of meat, Bobby doesn't hesitate and chooses our food,” Costa said. He always soaks food in water to soften the flavour.
Costa said Bobby lived a mostly trouble-free life, but one time in 2018, the family became frightened when he was hospitalized after suddenly collapsing with breathing problems. Costa attributes Bobby's longevity to the “calm and peaceful atmosphere” in which he lives.
He says Bobby is “the last of a long generation of animals” in the family and describes him as “one of a kind”.
Since Bobby's mother lived to be 18, the disease may also run in the family.
But Bobby suffered the effects of time. He now has difficulty walking and his eyesight is deteriorating.
Two weeks ago, 23-year-old Chihuahua Spike entered the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest living dog. But currently Bobby is the biggest dog in history.
Since then, Guinness has updated its records and declared Bobby to be the largest dog ever and also the oldest dog to ever live.
