In a recent turn of events, Guinness World Records has suspended the title of the “world’s oldest dog” after doubts were raised about the age of a Portuguese dog named Bobi. Last year, Bobi made headlines when he was crowned the oldest dog ever, surpassing a previous record that had stood for a century. However, some veterinarians have questioned the evidence supporting Bobi’s age, leading to an investigation by Guinness World Records.
Bobi, a purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo, was said to have lived to the age of 31 years and 165 days, far surpassing the average life expectancy of his breed. The validation of his age came from the Portuguese government’s pet database, managed by the National Union of Veterinarians. However, suspicions arose as news of Bobi’s record spread. Wired magazine conducted an investigation and discovered that Bobi had been registered on the pet database as being born in 1992, but there was no concrete evidence to confirm or deny this information.
Furthermore, there were discrepancies in the appearance of Bobi in old photographs, with some suggesting that the dog in the pictures was a completely different one. Experts in the veterinary field have expressed their skepticism, with one member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons stating that no veterinary colleague believes Bobi was actually 31 years old.
In response to the doubts surrounding Bobi’s age, Guinness World Records has launched a formal investigation and suspended the titles for the oldest living dog and the oldest dog ever until the findings are communicated. This pause in applications aims to ensure that the record titles maintain their integrity.
Bobi lived his entire life with the Costa family in the village of Conqueiros, near Portugal’s west coast. Leonel Costa, Bobi’s owner, believes that the backlash against Bobi’s record came from the fact that he attributed the dog’s longevity to a diet similar to that of humans, rather than traditional pet food. Costa claims that this deviates from the recommendations of many veterinarians, resulting in the challenges to Bobi’s age. He also emphasizes that all the requirements set by Guinness World Records to validate Bobi’s age were met.
Prior to Bobi, the title of the oldest dog ever belonged to Australia’s Bluey, who died in 1939 at the age of 29. The controversy surrounding Bobi’s record has shed light on the importance of accurate documentation and evidence to maintain the credibility of such records.
It is crucial to approach the controversy surrounding Bobi’s age with caution and await the results of the formal investigation by Guinness World Records. This incident serves as a reminder to ensure proper verification and identification when attributing exceptional titles to animals, as it can affect their reputation and the integrity of record-keeping organizations. Ultimately, the truth of Bobi’s age will be revealed through careful examination and examination of all available evidence.
