Bobi (dog)

Bobi (born 11 May 1992, died 21 October 2023) was a purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo dog from Portugal, recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest dog ever recorded, surpassing Bluey, an Australian Cattle Dog who lived to be 29 years and 5 months old. Bobi lived his entire life with the Costa family in the village of Conqueiros, Leiria, Portugal.

Life and Background:

Bobi was born as one of four male puppies in an outbuilding where the Costa family stored wood. Because the family already owned many animals, the father decided they could not keep the puppies and planned to euthanize them. However, Bobi was accidentally overlooked and hidden amongst the woodpile. When he was discovered, he was secretly raised by Leonel Costa.

Bobi's breed, the Rafeiro do Alentejo, is a Portuguese livestock guardian dog. Known for their longevity, their life expectancy typically falls between 12 to 14 years. Bobi significantly exceeded this average lifespan.

Recognition and Controversy:

Bobi's recognition as the world's oldest dog brought him international attention and accolades. His diet was reportedly based on human food, which was soaked in water to remove seasoning.

Following Bobi's death, questions arose regarding the accuracy of his age verification. Concerns centered around the initial registration of Bobi in the SIAC (Pet Information System), a Portuguese government database. While the system recorded his birth date, some questioned the evidence supporting it, as it predated microchipping becoming mandatory in Portugal. Guinness World Records launched a review of Bobi's record in February 2024, ultimately suspending the title while investigating the concerns raised. In March 2024, Guinness World Records officially retracted Bobi's titles, citing insufficient evidence to conclusively prove his birthdate.