World's oldest dog Portuguese mastiff Bobi dies aged 31 as owner reveals the key to his long life

A Portuguese mastiff dog who was crowned the world's oldest canine earlier this year has died at the age of 31.

Bobi, a purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo, was born on 11 May 1992 and was crowned the oldest dog to have ever lived in February by the Guinness World Records. He claimed the title after surpassing the previous record holder, an Australian cattle-dog named Bluey, who died at the age of 29 years and five months back in 1939.

His death was confirmed by local veterinarian Dr Karen Becker, who said: "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. Godspeed, Bobi ... you've taught the world all you were meant to teach." His breed is normally only expected to live between 12 and 15 years.

Bobi was owned by Leonel Costa and his family, with Leonel only eight years old when Bobi was first born. They stay in the rural Portuguese village of Conqieros. Bobi was the only surviving member of a litter of puppies born in an outhouse on the family's property, with the other pups put down as the family had too many animals to look after.

Leonel added that Bobi lived his life in a "calm, peaceful environment", adding that the key to a canine's long-life may be living "far from the cities". He added that Bobi was also always fed what the family ate, and was neither ever chained up or put on a leash.

What is the oldest dog in the UK?

The oldest dog in the UK is a record which has historically been held by a Welsh Sheepdog by the name of Taffy. Taffy lived to the age of 27 years and 211 days, according to Guinness World Records, and died in March 2003.

In 2020, staff members at Dogs Trust Salisbury believed that they had found the UK's living oldest dog - a former stray terrier named Queenie. Queenie, who was 21-years-old at the time, was adopted by Bridget Pike, who went onto become the Dogs Trust Salisbury's interim assistant manager. She said of her beloved pet: "Queenie is one tough cookie. Despite the fact she can’t run around like she used to, she loves to be out and about in the fresh air. I got her a doggy pushchair that I can put her in when she’s had enough of walking, but she still wants to be outdoors."