Bobi died in October 2023.Photo: PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP via Getty

A picture taken on February 12, 2023 shows Bobi, a 30 year-old Portuguese dog that has been declared the world’s oldest dog by Guinness World Records, at his home in the village of Conqueiros near Leiria.

Guinness World Records (GWR) has officially stripped the “oldest dog ever” of his title.

A Portuguese dog named Bobi — whoearned the honor in February 2023before hisdeath in October 2023at theage of 31— was stripped of Guinness World Record’s “oldest dog ever” title posthumously after the organization completed an investigation into the evidence for Bobi’s age, Mark McKinley, the director of records at GWR, announced in astatement on Thursday.

After looking over Bobi’s information, which included the dog’s microchip data and a statement from a veterinarian, GWR was “left with no conclusive evidence which can definitively prove Bobi’s date of birth,” the statement said.

Bobi with GWR plaque.GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS

bobi world’s oldest dog

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“Without any conclusive evidence available to us right now, we simply can’t retain Bobi as the record holder and honestly claim to maintain the high standards we set ourselves,” the statement concluded.

Bobi’s owner has been informed that their late pet no longer holds the “oldest dog ever” title.

The Associated PressandForbesalso reported the news.

Bobi was said to have been born on May 11, 1992, per the AP. He was a guard dog who lived on a farm in the village of Conqueiros in Portugal with his owner until his death at the reported age of 31.

Bobi was a guard dog.PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP via Getty

A picture taken on February 12, 2023 shows Bobi, a 30 year-old Portuguese dog that had been declared the world’s oldest dog by Guinness World Records, sitting at his home in the village of Conqueiros in Leiria.

Aspreviously reported, Bobi’s “oldest dog ever” title was suspended in January afterWiredpublishedan investigation into whether Bobi’s age was verified through the Portuguese government’s pet database and the Veterinary Medical Service of the Municipality of Leiria, as GWR had initially said it was.

A veterinarian and council member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons toldThe Guardianthat not “a single one” of her colleagues believed Bobi was 31.

Per the outlet, people also noticed that Bobi’s paws were a different color in 1999 compared to more recent photos.

Bobi with his owner, Leonel Costa.PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP via Getty

Leonel Costa, 38 years old, owner of Bobi, a 30 years old Portuguese dog that has been declared the world’s oldest dog by Guinness World Records

PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP via Getty

According to CNN, Bobi was a Rafeiro do Alentejo, a working dog breed with a life expectancy of about 12-14 years.

As for when a new “oldest dog ever” title holder will be crowned, McKinley said in his statement Thursday, “It’s going to take a long time for microchip uptake around the world to catch up with pet ownership, especially of older pets.”

He encouraged pet owners to contact GWR, noting that for the title to be bestowed upon a dog, the organization will require “evidence for all years of a pet’s life.” It will also consult veterinarians and microchip data for confirmation.

No dog currently holds the title in Bobi’s place.

source: people.com