He’s a socialite who roams the forest and likes long naps by the fire.
Meet Bobi, a Portuguese pooch declared the world’s oldest dog by Guinness World Records in February, who just celebrated his 31st birthday.
According to the global authority on all things record-breaking, Bobi’s owner was planning to throw the senior a birthday party Saturday at his home in Conqueiros, a rural Portuguese village where Bobi has lived his entire life.
Bobi’s owner, 38-year-old Leonel Costa, called it a “very traditional” Portuguese party where more than 100 guests were slated to attend.
Leonel said Bobi, whose birthday was Thursday, has been in good health in recent months, adding he was recently taken to the vet for a check-up. His eyesight is declining, so he occasionally bumps into things, Guinness said.
Previously:Bobi takes Guinness World Record for world’s oldest dog ever at 30
Guinness says it confirmed Bobi’s birthdate via the Veterinary Medical Service of the Municipality of Leiria, which registered the dog’s age in 1992.
A forest roamer who loves naps by the fire
Costa says one of the biggest factors to Bobi’s longevity is the “calm, peaceful environment” he lives in, according to Guinness. He also only eats human’s food, his owner said.
Throughout his life, Bobi, whose owner called him a “very sociable dog” has freely roamed the forests surrounding Costa’s house and has never been chained or leashed.
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The pooch also grew up surrounded by scores of other animals, so he was never lonely, Guinness reported.
Bobi has found it more difficult to walk in his senior years, Guinness said.
“Bobi sleeps a lot. He immediately lies down in bed after eating, although on cold days he chooses to nap by the fire,” Guinness wrote.
“Bobi is special because looking at him is like remembering the people who were part of our family and unfortunately are no longer here, like my father, my brother, or my grandparents who have already left this world,” his owner said.
Other pups who held the title of world’s oldest living dog
The world’s oldest dog title can change hands while title holders are still living when canny humans catch wind of the Guinness World Records, get their pets verified and stake a claim to the title.
- Spike, who turned 23 years old in December, held the previous title.
- TobyKeith, a purebred chihuahua, held the title several times, most recently claiming it as a 21-year-old in October.
- Pebbles, a 22-year-old South Carolina-based toy fox terrier held the title before he died Oct. 3, after a long life full of “country music and being loved,” his owner said.
- In December, Gino, a 22-year-old chihuahua mix from Los Angeles also held the title.
Natalie Neysa Alund covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund.
