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The “world’s oldest dog ” faces being stripped of the title after claims shed doubt over his true age.
Bobi, a Portuguese mastiff, died earlier this month just a short while after its owners held a huge birthday party for the record-setting pet. The previous record holder, Bluey, had lived 29 years and five months when he died in 1939.
Bobi’s owners claim he reached 31 – the equivalent of 200 human years. But Guinness World Records are probing the claim after thousands of vets dismissed it as a tall tale.
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A spokesperson for the group said: “We’re aware of the questions around Bobi and are looking into them.”
It comes despite Bobi being registered with the Veterinary Medical Service of the Municipality of Leiria in 1992, which confirmed Bobi's birth date. The SIAC, a pet database with Portuguese government authorisation, has also confirmed the date of birth.
Genetic testing was carried out in the hope of confirming Bobi’s age. However, it only concluded the dog was old, not a specific age.
Vet Danny Chambers said “not one” of the 18,000-member Veterinary Voices group he runs “believe Bobi was actually 31 years old”. Despite the previous record holder dying at 29 years and five months – a pup named Bluey from Australia.
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While Bobi’s title is under investigation, it is understood Spike, a chihuahua cross from Ohio, US, who was born in November 1999, has been named the world’s oldest living dog.
Following Bobi’s passing earlier this month, tributes flooded in. One came from Dr Karen Becker, who met the pooch after he earned his title.
She said: "Last night, this sweet boy earned his wings. Despite outliving every dog in history, his 11,478 days on earth would never be enough, for those who loved him. Godspeed, Bobi… you’ve taught the world all you were meant to teach."
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Bobi had feasted on human foods for his whole life, with his party sourcing local fish and meats for the occasion. When Bobi turned 31, Leonel, who found the dog when he was eight, said: "Bobi has been a warrior for all these years, only he knows how he's been holding on.
"It must not be easy because the average dog's life span is not that high and if he spoke only he could explain this success. We are very happy and grateful to life for allowing us, after 30 years, to have Bobi in our daily lives."
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