Bobi was photographed at a farm located in the village of Conqueiros, Portugal, as recognized by Guinness World Records.
In a surprising turn of events, Guinness World Records has taken the unprecedented step of suspending the title of the oldest dog ever, a recognition previously held by a Portuguese canine named Bobi, who passed away in October of last year. The decision comes in the wake of mounting skepticism from veterinarians regarding the reported age of the dog, prompting the renowned record-keeping organization to conduct a thorough review of the case.
Bobi, a loyal guard dog residing on a farm in the quaint village of Conqueiros, Portugal, under the care of owner Leonel Costa, had been celebrated as the world's oldest living dog and oldest dog ever since February of the previous year. According to the initial claim, Bobi was born on May 11, 1992, making him an astonishing 31 years old at the time of his demise.
The Guinness World Records, in response to the growing uncertainty surrounding Bobi's age, issued a statement asserting the suspension of both the titles for the oldest living dog and the oldest dog ever. A spokesperson for the organization communicated via email with The Associated Press, stating, "While our review is ongoing, we have decided to temporarily pause both the record titles for oldest dog living and ever just until all of our findings are in place." The decision reflects the organization's commitment to maintaining the integrity of its records.
The move follows correspondence received by Guinness World Records from several veterinarians who raised questions about the authenticity of Bobi's reported age. Additionally, the organization acknowledged the presence of public commentary from veterinary professionals, further fueling the need for a comprehensive examination of the case.
Bobi, identified as a purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo, belonged to a breed with an average life expectancy ranging from 10 to 14 years. The suspension of the record titles underscores the importance of thorough verification processes, ensuring that claims of extraordinary achievements are supported by robust evidence.
Efforts to reach Leonel Costa, the owner of Bobi, proved unsuccessful, as calls to him went unanswered, and text messages remained unacknowledged. The suspense surrounding Bobi's record serves as a reminder that even in the world of canine longevity, accuracy and transparency are paramount.
