Bobby from Portugal, who was recognized as ‘the world’s oldest dog’ by Guinness World Records in February of this year, recently celebrated his 31st birthday. The owner held her birthday party for her bobby and invited about 100 guests to her home.
The British Guinness World Records said in a statement on the 11th (local time) that Bobby, who lives in the rural village of Conquiros, Portugal, celebrated his 31st birthday.
Bobby was born in 1991 as Lapeiro do Alentejo, known as a Portuguese herding dog. At that time, Bobby’s birth record was registered in the companion animal database approved by the Portuguese government and managed by the National Federation of Veterinarians (SNMV).
Bobby was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s oldest dog in February at the age of 30 years and 9 months. Even in Lapeiro, Alentejo is known to have an average lifespan of 12 to 14 years. Bobby’s age is well over twice the average life span of the same breed.
Owner Lionel Costa told CNN that he had raised several dogs, including Bobby’s mother, but never imagined his dog would be over 30.
Costa said that after Bobby won the Guinness World Record, he had a blast with reporters and fans coming from all over the world to take pictures of him. He was worried that the visits from strangers might have stressed him out, but a recent medical examination revealed that Bobby was in relatively good health.
Costa cited a ‘quiet and peaceful environment’ as the secret to Bobby’s health. Bobby was never on a leash and roamed freely in the surrounding forests and farmlands. Besides, Bobby is very sociable thanks to having grown up surrounded by cats.
However, recently, due to cataracts, my eyesight has deteriorated, and I have increased the number of bumping into objects while walking. I spend a lot of time sleeping and spend most of the day in bed.
Costa, who was only 8 years old when Bobby was born, is now at the age of looking at the Buddha. “If Bobby could talk, I think I could explain the whole situation,” he said. At the same time, he said, “Every time I look at Bobby, I think of my father and older brother who passed away.”
Meanwhile, the dog who held the record for the oldest dog ever was Australia’s ‘Bluey’, who lived for 29 years and 5 months. Bluey was born in 1910 and died in 1939.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.