Bobi, known as the world's oldest dog ever, dies at age 31

Bobi, the world's oldest (and possibly luckiest) known dog, has died.

He was 31.

Guinness World Records reported Bobi, who lived with his human family in the rural village of Conqueiros Portugal, died over the weekend. The family's home is about 93 miles north Lisbon, the country's capital.

The purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo, a farm and watch-dog breed known for its confidence and calm demeanor per the American Kennel Club, lived at the home his entire life with his owner Leonel Costa and his family, Guinness reported.

According to Guinness, Bobi was born May 11, 1992.

The senior dog was announced as the world’s oldest dog living and oldest dog everin February 2023.

He died Saturday at age 31 years and 165 days old, the authority for all things world recording breaking reported on Monday.

In addition to verification from Guinness', Bobi's age was also confirmed by Sistema de Informação de Animais de Companhia, a database for pets authorized by the Portuguese government and managed by Sindicato Nacional dos Médicos Veterinários, the country's national union of veterinarians.

According to Guinness, the average lifespan for a Rafeiro do Alentejo is 12 to 14 years. 

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World's previous oldest dogs

Not only was Bobi the world's oldest living dog, but he's the oldest ever to have lived, Guinness reported.

The previous record-holder was Bluey, an Australian cattle dog who was born in 1910 and lived to be 29 years and five months old.

With Bobi's passing, a 23-year-old chihuahua mix from Ohio, named Spike now hold's the title as world's oldest living dog. A slightly younger purebred chihuahua from Florida,TobyKeith, also held the title more than once in past years.

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One lucky dog

Bobi was a lucky dog.

He was born in a litter of four puppies, according to Guinness, but because his owners family already owned too many animals, his father decided not to keep them.

“Unfortunately, at that time it was considered normal by older people... to bury the animals in a hole so that they would not survive,” Costa told Guinness.

Costa parents, Guinness reported, took the litter away but he and his brothers found Bobi, who had escaped, hiding in a pile of wood at their home.

The siblings kept the puppy’s existence a secret but when the boys' parents discovered Bobi was alive, Guiness reported, "it was too late to put him down, so Bobi became a part of the family."

A life of love and celebration

Bobi lived a life full of love and celebration.

His owner was only 8 years old when Bobi was born.

Just this past May, his owner threw him a lavish birthday party with more than 100 guests attending to celebrate him turning 31.

When he turned 30 last year, his owner described Bobi as "one of a kind" – adding that the family is "very happy and grateful to life for allowing us, after 30 years, to have Bobi in our daily lives."

Bobi's death was announced by Veterinarian Karen Becker on Facebook, who posted, "Last night, this sweet boy earned his wings.'

"Despite outliving every dog in history, his 11,478 days on earth would never be enough, for those who loved him," Guinness reported in an article posted on its homepage. "Godspeed, Bobi…you’ve taught the world all you were meant to teach."

RIP, Bobi.

Contributing Wyatte Grantham-Philips.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.