Bobi, a purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo from Portugal, lived to be 31 years old. Over the weekend, the canine icon passed away. His death has generated worldwide interest, coming only months after the Guinness World Records crowned him the world’s oldest living dog. Bobi lived an incredible 165 days past his 31st birthday, outliving Bluey, the previous title holder, an Australian cow dog that lived until 29. Bluey’s record remained unbroken for nearly a century. Guinness World Records issued a statement expressing their sadness, confirming Bobi’s age and the circumstances surrounding his death.
Bobi’s longevity was unusual, especially given that he belonged to a breed with an average lifetime of 10 to 14 years. Bobi lived on a farm with his owner, Leonel Costa, and four cats in the rural community of Conqueiros, Portugal. Dr Karen Becker, a veterinarian who had the pleasure of meeting the record-breaking canine on several occasions, broke the news of Bobi’s death to the public.
“Last night, this sweet boy earned his wings,” wrote Dr Becker on Facebook. “Despite outliving every dog in history, his 11,478 days on earth would never be enough, for those who loved him.” As per Leonel, the recipe for Bobi’s exceptionally long life was: “Good nutrition, constant contact with nature, freedom to discover his environment, consistent veterinary care, and love. Bobi knows he’s deeply loved.”
The Guinness World Records said they were “saddened to learn of the death of Bobi
Costa, who was just eight years old when Bobi was born, told a poignant story of the dog’s remarkable survival from his early days. According to AFP, Bobi didn’t even intend to survive his puppyhood. After Bobi was born in a woodshed as one of four siblings, the Costa family realized they couldn’t afford to raise any more animals. A young Costa recalls his parents taking all the puppies out of the woodshed, which he assumed they had done. They had no idea Bobi had been left behind, ensuring his miracle birth.
Bobi’s story reached international prominence after he was verified as the world’s oldest dog in February this year. The Guinness World Records said they were “saddened to learn of the death of Bobi, the world’s oldest dog ever”. The owner expressed that while they were enveloped in a sense of loss, the memories of Bobi’s long and joyous life would bring them solace. “He made a lot of people happy, especially his family,” he said.