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Bobi, the oldest dog in the world, dies

Good nutrition, a calm and peaceful life, constant contact with nature and a lot of love were the ingredients for Bobi’s long life.

Bobi, the world's oldest dog dies

The world is a sadder place as of Saturday, as Bobi, the world’s oldest dog, passed away at the age of 31 years and 163 days in his home in Portugal. This was confirmed by Karen Becker, a veterinarian who had treated the dog on several occasions, through a post on Facebook: “Despite outliving every dog in history, his 11,478 days on earth would never be enough, for those who loved him.”

Bobi was a purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo who achieved the title of the world’s oldest dog last February, after obtaining the certification and surpassing the age of an Australian canine who died in 1939 at the age of 29 years and five months. The identity of the dog that is closest to passing Bobi’s lifespan has not yet been revealed.

Record breaking Bobi, pictured here at 30 years-old at Conqueiros, in Leiria, Portugal, February 4, 2023.
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Record breaking Bobi, pictured here at 30 years-old at Conqueiros, in Leiria, Portugal, February 4, 2023.CATARINA DEMONYREUTERS

RIP Bobi: the kennel in the sky awaits

Bobi lived with the Costa family in the village of Conqueiros, a small community near the Portuguese coast. According to his owner, the key to Bobi’s long life was a tranquil environment in which he lived until now, along with “good nutrition, constant contact with nature, freedom to discover his environment, consistent veterinary care, and love. Bobi knows he’s deeply loved,” noted Leonel, his owner, as mentioned in Becker’s tribute post.

Owner Leonel Costa walks Bobi.
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Owner Leonel Costa walks Bobi.CATARINA DEMONYREUTERS

The dog had only experienced a minor health scare in 2018 when he was hospitalized for a sudden breathing difficulty, as reported by the BBC. Before his passing, Bobi had struggled with walking and his eyesight had been deteriorating.

Is there ever enough time 💔? I think not. Last night, this sweet boy earned his wings 🕊️. Despite outliving every dog...

Posted by Dr. Karen Becker on Sunday, October 22, 2023

The dog primarily subsisted on human food. “Between a can of pet food and a piece of meat, Bobi never hesitated and opted for our food,” his owner noted. He claimed that Bobi was “the last of a long generation of animals.”

The dog’s mother lived for 18 years, and another canine owned by the Costa family didn’t pass away until reaching the age of 22.