Bobi—World’s Oldest Dog Ever

Topline

A dog named Bobi who is widely considered the oldest known dog in history died over the weekend surrounded by his family in Portugal, owner Leonel Costa told the Associated Press on Monday—after surviving an early brush with death as a puppy and living more than twice as long as a typical member of the Rafeiro do Alentejo breed.

A very good boy: Bobi, a purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo Portuguese dog, poses for a photo with his … [+] Guinness World Record certificates for being the world’s oldest dog, at his home in Conqueiros, central Portugal, May 20, 2023. Bobi’s owner revealed on Monday, October 23, 2023, that he had passed away Saturday at 31 years and 165 days of age.

Jorge Jeronimo/AP Photo

Key Facts

The purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo lived for 31 years and 165 days, making him both the oldest known dog alive at the time of his death as well as the oldest dog to ever live, according to Guinness World Records.

Guinness World Records announced Bobi had broken the record for world’s oldest dog in February, beating out an Australian dog named Bluey, who in 1939 died at the age of 29 years and five months.

In addition to Guinness World Records, his age was verified by a pet database authorized by the Portuguese government and operated by the country’s national veterinarian union, and a local veterinary service.

Key Background

Bobi was born in a litter of four puppies in 1992, according to Guinness World Records. Originally, the Costa family decided not to keep them because they already had too many pets. The Costa family decided to put down the puppies, which they said was normal at that time, by burying them in a hole. However, Bobi escaped and the Costas’ two sons found him, hid him and secretly began taking care of him. When the parents discovered him, he was too old to be put down so they kept him, and “Bobi became a part of the family,” Guinness World Records said. He lived his life with the Costas in the rural village of Conqueiros, Portugal, about 93 miles north of Lisbon. The family described Bobi as a “very sociable” dog, but said he had become less mobile in his old age.

Big Number

11,478. That’s how many days Bobi lived.

Tangent

According to the American Kennel Club, the typical life expectancy for a Rafeiro do Alentejo is 12 to 14 years.

Surprising Fact

Many of the Costas’ dogs have lived long lives. Bobi’s mother, Gira, lived to the age of 18, while another one of the family’s dogs, Chicote, died at 22, according to Guinness World Records.

What To Watch For

Now, the oldest known dog on Earth is a 23-year-old chihuahua mix from Ohio named Spike, USA Today reported. Perhaps in deference to the passing of Bobi, Spike has yet to comment on his new status.

Bobi—World’s Oldest Dog Ever—Dies At 31