The Guinness record that Bobi, a Portuguese mastiff, achieved in February 2023 as the oldest dog in the world, has been temporarily suspended. The dog died on October 21, 2023 at age 31, but several veterinarians expressed skepticism about his longevity, stating that they did not believe he could have lived that long.
The Portuguese dog died on October 21, 2023, and now the organization has temporarily suspended applications for the titles of oldest living dog in the world and oldest in history. So now Guinness World Records is carrying out an investigation in this regard, as confirmed by a spokesperson for the organization, Amanda Marcus, which involves the search for new evidence, and consultations with experts and people linked to the candidacy of the Portuguese mastiff.
From the organization they indicated that the review involves analyzing in detail the existing evidence and searching for new ones, as well as contacting relevant people in the original process. Until all findings are clear and communicated, no definitive action will be taken regarding the removal of Bobi’s title.
Bobi’s owner, Leonel Costa, maintains that the dog was of the Rafeiro do Alentejo breed, with a life expectancy of 10 to 14 years as recorded by the American Kennel Club. Costa assures that Bobi was registered in the veterinary service of the municipality of Leiria since 1992 and in the Portuguese national control system SIAC. However, Wired magazine reported in December that Bobi’s age had no independent or government verification beyond his owner’s word.
Bobi also became a media phenomenon for his unconventional diet of human food and his lifestyle in a calm environment. However, controversy over her longevity intensified when several veterinarians questioned her age, stating that the common life expectancy for her breed is 10 to 14 years.
Although the Guinness World Records organization has yet to officially remove Bobi’s title, the uncertainty surrounding his record raises questions about the authenticity of some record-breaking milestones. This case is still ongoing, and the final verdict of the investigation will determine whether Bobi will continue to be remembered as the world’s oldest dog or if his title will be stripped amid this mysterious controversy over his age.
