Guinness World Records strip 'oldest dog' of title after investigation'

22 February 2024 , 15:24

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Bobi, a Rafeiro do Alentejo from Conqueiros, Portugal, who died in October 2023 (Image: AP)

A dog called Bobi, once awarded the ‘oldest ever’ record, has lost his title after an investigation by Guinness World Records.

In a report published today it was announced Bobi, a Rafeiro do Alentejo from Conqueiros, Portugal, who died in October 2023 had been stripped of his title. Guinness World Records said they no longer had the evidence needed to support Bobi’s claim as the record holder.

Bobi’s owner, they said, has been made aware of the findings of the review. Now they are appealing for pet owners around the world to get in touch if they feel their pet should be crowned.

Bobi was said to have died at the age of 31 years and 165 days, with his death announced on social media by a veterinarian who met Bobi several times. "Despite outliving every dog in history, his 11,478 days on earth would never be enough, for those who loved him," wrote Dr Karen Becker.

The previous oldest dog ever was Australia's Bluey, who died in 1939 at the age of 29 years and five months.

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Bobi, once the 'world's oldest dog ever' (PAULO CUNHA/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Director of Records, Mark McKinley said they take a “tremendous price” to ensure the accuracy of their record titles. He said they launched a review after concern was raised by vets and other experts along with investigations carried out by the media. “

Central to Bobi’s evidence was microchip data sourced from the Portuguese government database, the SIAC, which it transpires, when chipped in 2022, did not require proof of age for dogs born before 2008,” he explained.

“With the additional veterinary statement provided as evidence for Bobi’s age also citing this microchip data, we’re left with no conclusive evidence which can definitively prove Bobi’s date of birth.

Without any conclusive evidence available to us right now, we simply can’t retain Bobi as the record holder and honestly claim to maintain the high standards we set ourselves.”

Speaking about who the new record holder might be, and the future of the record title, Mr McKinley, said: “It’s going to take a long time for microchip uptake around the world to catch up with pet ownership, especially of older pets.

Until that time, we'll require documentary evidence for all years of a pet’s life, we'll continue to ask for vet and witness statements and we’ll also consider microchip data as well where available.

“It’s for this reason that we’re not yet in a position to confirm a new holder for the record, although we certainly hope that the publicity around the record title encourages pet owners from around the world to get in touch.”

Lucy Thornton