A canine named Bobi, who’d been deemed the world’s oldest dog final 12 months, had his title posthumously stripped on Thursday by Guinness World Records.
Guinness suspended the dog’s title in January amid doubts about his age. Bobi, who lived in Portugal till his dying final fall, earned the document when he was reportedly 30 years old. After a overview, Guinness stated it did not have the proof it wanted to help Bobi’s declare because the document holder.
“Without any conclusive proof available to us proper now, we merely cannot retain Bobi because the document holder and actually declare to keep up the excessive requirements we set ourselves,” Guinness director of information Mark McKinley stated. “Of course, as with every document, we’ll gladly assess any new proof ought to we obtain any.”
Reviewing Bobi’s declare
McKinley stated Guinness requires proof earlier than it grants a document. Guinness normally wants a minimal of two statements from witnesses and topic consultants alongside footage and video. Sometimes Guinness additionally assesses knowledge, corresponding to microchip knowledge to show the age of a pet.
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“Central to Bobi’s proof was microchip knowledge sourced from the Portuguese authorities database, the SIAC, which it transpires, when chipped in 2022, didn’t require proof of age for dogs born earlier than 2008,” McKinley stated. “With the extra veterinary assertion supplied as proof for Bobi’s age additionally citing this microchip knowledge, we’re left with no conclusive proof which may definitively show Bobi’s date of beginning.”
So who’s the oldest canine on this planet?
Before Bobi, there was Bluey, an Australian cattle-dog who was the earlier record-holder for oldest canine ever. Bluey lived to be 29 years and 5 months old, Guinness stated.
McKinley stated the way forward for the title would require “microchip uptake all over the world to meet up with pet possession.”
“Until that point, we’ll require documentary proof for all years of a pet’s life, we’ll proceed to ask for vet and witness statements and we’ll additionally take into account microchip knowledge as effectively the place available,” McKinley stated.
“It’s for that reason that we’re not but in a position to verify a brand new holder for the document, though we definitely hope that the publicity across the document title encourages pet house owners from all over the world to get in contact.”
Remembering Bobi
Bobi died in October 2023, simply months after celebrating what was reportedly his 31st birthday.
Bobi was a purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo, a breed recognized for shielding livestock, in keeping with the American Kennel Club. Rafeiro do Alentejo dogs have a mean life expectancy of 12 to 14 years.
Leonel Costa, Bobi’s proprietor, beforehand attributed Bobi’s longevity to the “calm, peaceable surroundings” he lived in. He stated Bobi’s weight loss program of human meals additionally contributed. Bobi was by no means tied up, chained or leashed, and was allowed to roam round his home.
Bobi’s household instructed Guinness he liked being petted and loved enjoying together with his 4 cat siblings. They described him as very calm and sociable.
