World’s oldest dog Bobi has died aged 31 after having a lavish birthday in May

Bobi, the world's oldest dog, passed away at 31. He had just celebrated his birthday on May 11, 2023, and various media outlets covered the event. The dog died at the family-run farm in the rural village of Conqueiros, in Leiria, Portugal where he had lived his entire life.

As per Guinness World Records, he was announced as the world’s oldest dog living and oldest dog ever on February 2, 2023. The dog's demise was announced on Facebook by Dr Karen Becker, a veterinarian who met Bobi several times. She said:

"Last night, this sweet boy earned his wings. Despite outliving every dog in history, his 11,478 days on earth would never be enough, for those who loved him. Godspeed, Bobi…you’ve taught the world all you were meant to teach."

Leonel Costa, Boby's owner, has not released an official statement yet.

Disclaimer: This article mentions one instance of animal cruelty.

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Bobi, the oldest dog ever dies in Portugal, 5 months after his birthday 31st birthday

Dr Karen Becker, Bobi's veterinarian wrote a heartfelt message about Bobi's passing on October 23, 2023. She also mentioned the oldest dog's owner Leonel Costa's answer to the "recipe" behind Bobi's exceptionally long life. Costa had replied:

"Good nutrition, constant contact with nature, freedom to discover his environment, consistent veterinary care, and love. Bobi knows he’s deeply loved."

Bobi broke the record for the oldest dog in the world in February which was previously held by Australian cattle-dog Bluey, who was 29 years and five months when he died in 1939, as per The Sun.

He broke a different record for the oldest living dog which was held for just two weeks by 23-year-old chihuahua Spike, from Ohio. Born on May 11, 1992, Bobi went on to live for 31 years and 165 days, on Leonel's family farm in Portugal. Dogs typically live up to 10 to 13 years, according to The Guardian.

He was registered Serviço Medico-Veterinário do Município de Leiria (Veterinary Medical Service of the Municipality of Leiria) in 1992, as per the Guinness World Records. Bobi's age was verified by a pet database authorized by the Portuguese government and managed by the SNMV (Sindicato Nacional dos Médicos Veterinários; National Union of Veterinarians).

The oldest dog, a pure-bred Rafeiro do Alentejo, celebrated his birthday on May 11, 2023, where local meat and fish were served to more than 100 guests, some of whom flew in from abroad. Extra dishes were prepared for Bobi who only ate human food, as reported by The Sun.

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Bobi's birth and survival story

According to the Guinness World Records, the dog would not have survived to see his first birthday. Leonel Costa spoke on Bobi's birthday reminiscing how he was born in an outhouse where his family stored wood. He added,

"He has been a warrior for all these years, only he knows how he's been holding on, it must not be easy because the average dog's life span is not that high and if he spoke only he could explain this success. We are very happy and grateful to life for allowing us, after 30 years, to have Bobi in our daily lives."

Leonel's parents had originally decided to put down the oldest dog with his other two brothers when they were puppies, as the family already had many animals to take care of at the time. Leonel said:

"Unfortunately, at that time it was considered normal by older people […] to bury the animals in a hole so that they would not survive."

Bobi was left behind as he was hidden amongst a pile of wood, in the same outhouse he was born in and survived. Leonel and his brothers kept Bobi hidden and by the time their parents became aware of the dog, it was too late to put him down. He became part of the family and lived up to become the oldest dog in the world

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Bobi's story reached any netizens online who posted their convalescences on Twitter and Facebook.