The claim of Bobi, the Portuguese mastiff, as the oldest dog ever is under scrutiny following doubts about his reported age of 31 at the time of his demise in October. Guinness World Records (GWR) is reevaluating the distinction previously awarded to Bobi, who garnered global attention upon his passing. In February 2023, GWR had recognized him as both the world’s oldest living dog and the oldest dog ever. Prior to Bobi’s death at 31 years and five months, the record for the oldest recorded dog was held by Bluey, an Australian cattle dog who lived until 29 years and five months before passing away in 1939.
Following the tributes, Bobi’s record-breaking age faced swift scrutiny and suspicion, equivalent to more than 200 human years. Observers pointed out discrepancies, noting that images from 1999 depicted Bobi with differently colored paws compared to the dog that passed away in Portugal on October 21, 2023. Vets highlighted the reliance on owners’ self-certification for age entries in the national pet database, casting doubt on the accuracy of Bobi’s reported age. Genetic testing confirmed his advanced age but did not provide an exact figure. Danny Chambers, a vet and council member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, representing 18,000 vets, stated that “not a single one of my veterinary colleagues believes Bobi was actually 31 years old.”
A “totally serious” inquiry by technology magazine Wired discovered that although Bobi was registered in the Portuguese government database, there was no supporting data to confirm or refute the statement regarding his birth in 1992. The magazine reported that the government database official mentioned they had never been contacted by Guinness World Records (GWR) for verification. Bobi’s owner, Leonel Costa, did not respond to Wired’s inquiries. GWR has now initiated a “formal review” of the oldest dog record, examining evidence and consulting experts. The organization has temporarily halted applications for both the titles of the oldest living and ever dog until the review is complete. GWR emphasized that no action has been taken against any record holders at this stage, and it would be misleading to suggest that Bobi has been stripped of his title.