World's Oldest Dog Celebrates 31st Birthday — The Secret To His Longevity

The Guinness Book of World Records recently recognized Bobi, a Rafeiro do Alentejo from Portugal, as the world's oldest dog. The Portuguese breed, known for its strength and endurance, has a new titleholder who celebrated his 31st birthday in grand style on Saturday.

A party was hosted in the quiet village of Conqueiros, Portugal, where Bobi has spent his entire life. His owner, Leonel Costa, threw a traditional Portuguese party, attended by over a hundred guests, according to the Associated Press.

Local delicacies, including meats and fish, were served to the attendees, including an extra portion for Bobi, who has a preference for human food. The celebration also featured a performance by a dance troupe, with Bobi taking part in one of their routines.

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Costa has a history of caring for elderly dogs, including Bobi's mother, Gira, who lived to be 18. Despite this, Costa admitted he had never expected any of his dogs to reach the remarkable age of 30. He believes that Bobi's longevity can be attributed to the serene environment in which he was raised. Bobi has lived a life of freedom, never confined by a leash, and has always been in the company of other animals, according to Costa.

Bobi, now in his later years, enjoys the comfort of his home, often choosing to relax in the yard due to having difficulty walking. With his sight diminishing, he tends to bump into objects, so he spends much of his time asleep, often next to the fire on colder days.

Bobi's birth in 1992 was confirmed by the Veterinary Medical Service of the Municipality of Leiria, and his age was verified by SIAC, a pet database authorized by the Portuguese government and managed by the SNMV (National Union of Veterinarians).

For Costa, who was only eight years old when Bobi was born, the dog serves as a living connection to his past. "Bobi is special because looking at him is like remembering the people who were part of our family and unfortunately are no longer here, like my father, my brother, or my grandparents who have already left this world," he said. "Bobi represents those generations."

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This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.