World’s oldest dog Bobi dies aged 31 after owners held huge bash to celebrate his birthday
THE world’s oldest dog has died at the age of 31.
Bobi - a Portuguese mastiff - lived his entire life at a family-run farm in the rural village of Conqueiros, in Leiria, Portugal.
In February, he broke a record held by Australian cattle-dog Bluey, who was 29 years and five months when he died in 1939.
He also took the record for the oldest living dog — having been held for just two weeks by 23-year-old chihuahua Spike, from Ohio.
The news of Bobi’s death was announced by American veterinarian Dr Karen Becker on Monday morning.
Dr Becker said: "Last night, this sweet boy earned his wings.
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"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."
Dr Becker met Bobi in February after he broke the world record to become the world's oldest living dog.
There has not been any official comment from Bobi’s owner, Leonel Costa.
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He held a birthday bash for Bobi - a pure-bred Rafeiro do Alentejo - on May 11.
Local meat and fish were served up to more than 100 guests - with extra for Bobi who only ate human food.
Leonel was only eight when Bobi was born in an outhouse where his family stored wood.
When Bobi turned 31, he said: "Bobi 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.”
He put Bobi's long life down to the “calm, peaceful environment he lives in, his diet of human food and his freedom".
Alongside a picture of the record-breaking pooch, the owner of a Lisbon-based pet photography studio paid tribute to Bobi.
"Rest in peace friend," they said.
"Thank you for having had the privilege of meeting you, the oldest dog in the world.
"What an amazing life you had."
Bobi reportedly survived being put down by Leonel’s dad along with his two brothers shortly after birth because he escaped.
Leonel explained: “I was eight years old. My father was a hunter, and we always had many dogs.
“Unfortunately, at that time it was considered normal by older people who could not have more animals at home to bury the animals in a hole so that they would not survive.”
Bobi managed to escape and was raised by Leonel and his brothers.
The pooch was never chained up or put on a leash - and his long age was also linked to his genes.
Bobi’s mum Gira lived to the age of 18 and another of the family’s dogs, Chicote, made it to the age of 22.
He had problems with his eyesight and some walking issues in his old age and had a health scare in 2018 but pulled through.
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Bobi was registered with the Veterinary Medical Service of the Municipality of Leiria in 1992 - which confirmed Bobi’s birth date.
His age was also verified by SIAC - a pet database authorised by the Portuguese government.