Happy Birthday! World’s oldest dog celebrates 31st birthday in Portugal

The world’s oldest dog celebrated his 31st birthday on Thursday in Portugal with a special birthday party.

The purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo named Bobi was named the “oldest living dog” by the Guinness World Records this year. He was born on May 11, 1992, in the rural village of Coqueiros in Leiria, Portugal—a date confirmed by the Veterinary Medical Service of the Municipality of Leiria.   

Say hello to Bobi, the oldest dog ever recorded by Guinness World Records at 30 years and 266 days! 🥰️ pic.twitter.com/xeTflsWTat

— Guinness World Records (@GWR) February 2, 2023

Bobi was one of four male pups born on the Costa family farm. At the time of Bobi’s birth, his owner's father decided that he couldn't keep the newborn puppies. But luck ended up saving Bobi and keeping them alive. 

More than 100 fans and friends, including some from abroad, will join Bobi to celebrate his birthday on Saturday, said his owner Leonel Costa, who was eight when Bobi was born. 

“We've had a lot of journalists and people come from all over the world to take a picture with Bobi,” Leonel said. “They've come from all over Europe, as well as the USA and even Japan.”

The celebration includes local food, including meats and fish, as well as a dance troupe that will be performing. Bobi also plans to participate in one of the dances. 

“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,” Costa told Guinness. “Bobi represents those generations.”

Rafeiro do Alentejo is a breed of livestock guardian dogs whose average lifespan is 12 years. 

Previously, the title of the world’s oldest dog had gone to a 22-year-old Los Angeles Chihuahua named Gino in November. However, the record was quickly given away in December to another Chihuahua named Spike, who was 23 years old. 

The Portuguese dog also broke an almost century-old record for the oldest dog ever. The previous oldest dog ever, Bluey, an Australian cattle dog lived from 1910 to 1939, a total of 29 years and 5 months old.