The world’s oldest dog, Bobi, a purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo, has peacefully passed away at the remarkable age of 31 years and 165 days in his home in Portugal.
Bobi’s extraordinary journey to becoming the world’s oldest living dog and the oldest dog ever was validated by the Portuguese government’s pet database, which is overseen by the National Union of Veterinarians. He officially claimed these titles in February, surpassing a nearly century-old record held by Australia’s Bluey, who lived to the age of 29 years and five months before passing away in 1939.
Bobi’s entire life story unfolded in the village of Conqueiros, near Portugal’s west coast, where he lived with the Costa family. His remarkable saga began when he was born alongside three siblings in an outbuilding. The Costa family initially faced the difficult decision of reducing their number of animals, and Bobi was slated for a different fate. However, the resilient pup managed to escape this fate, becoming an unexpected but cherished addition to the Costa family.
To keep Bobi’s presence a secret from their parents, Leonel Costa, who was only eight years old at the time, and his brothers took on the responsibility of caring for the dog. They shared their daily meals with Bobi and provided him with all the love and care a loyal family could offer.
Bobi’s journey was not without its challenges. In 2018, he faced a health scare when he was hospitalized due to sudden breathing difficulties. However, he managed to recover and continued to enjoy a relatively trouble-free life. Mr. Costa attributed Bobi’s extraordinary longevity to the “calm, peaceful environment” in which he lived.
As Bobi aged, he experienced some difficulties with walking and his eyesight began to deteriorate. Nonetheless, his enduring spirit and the love of his family remained unwavering.
Bobi was not the only dog in the Costa family to enjoy a long and healthy life. Bobi’s mother lived to the age of 18, and another one of their dogs reached the impressive age of 22, a testament to the care and affection provided by the Costa family.
Bobi’s legacy as the world’s oldest dog will live on, a symbol of the enduring bond between humans and their loyal canine companions.
