World’s oldest dog celebrates turning 31 with ‘special birthday party’
The world's oldest pet dog[1] has just celebrated his 31st birthday with his owner throwing a special party for the special pooch.
Bobi was declared the world’s oldest canine by Guinness World Records in February, with his Portugese owner Leonel Costa, 38, putting the senior's longevity down to the “calm, peaceful environment” he lives in.
Bobi, who celebrated his birthday on Thursday (May 11), lives in Conqueiros, a rural Portugese village, is said to be a "very sociable dog" and has freely roamed the forests surrounding Leonel's house and has never been chained or leashed.
According to Guinness, Bobi's owner, who has grown up with the pooch, was planning to throw his pet a "very traditional" birthday party on Saturday (May 13) at his home, with more than 100 guests expected to attend.
Bobi enjoys a diet consisting of human food (Image: PAULO CUNHA/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Leonel said Bobi has been in good health, adding he was recently taken to the vet for a check-up, although his eyesight is declining and he occasionally bumps into things.
Guinness said it confirmed Bobi’s birth date via the Veterinary Medical Service of the Municipality of Leiria, which registered the animal's age in 1992.
Leonel added that Bobi only eats human food, with Guinness reporting that the pooch also grew up surrounded by scores of other animals, so he was never lonely. He currently lives with four cats.
Guinness said that Bobi has found it more difficult to walk in his senior years, writing: "Bobi sleeps a lot. He immediately lies down in bed after eating, although on cold days he chooses to nap by the fire.."
Bobi has lived with many other animals during his long life (Image: Guinness World Records)
To stay up to date with all the latest news, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here.[3]
His owner added: “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."
Other dogs who have held the title include Spike, a chihuahua mix from Camden, Ohio, who turned 23 in December, and Pebbles, a toy fox terrier from South Carolina who died in October last year at 22. In December, Gino, a 22-year-old chihuahua from Los Angeles, held the title.
READ NOW: