For three decades, he has seen Bobi. This Rafeiro from Alentejo, a breed of dog found almost only in Portugal, just celebrated his 31st birthday on Thursday. Absolute longevity when you know that the life expectancy of this type of dog is generally 12 to 14 years.
Since February, Bobi has even been officially recognized as the oldest dog in the world by the very serious Guinness records. It’s quite simple, no dog has ever reached this age, according to Guinness data.
VIDEO. At 30, Bobi is the oldest dog in the world according to the Guinness Book
To celebrate his 31st birthday, Bobi’s family organized a birthday party for him, in Conqueiros, a village a few kilometers from Leiria (Portugal), where he lives with his master. Leonel Costa wanted it to be a “very traditional” Portuguese party.
More than 100 people were invited and a dance troupe performed for the occasion, under the eyes of journalists from around the world and a representative of Guinness World Records, reports the Portuguese newspaper Publico. It must be said that we are not every day 31 years old!
A dog that has crossed the generations
Born on May 11, 1992, Bobi was registered at birth with the databases of the Veterinary Medical Service of the Municipality of Leiria, Portugal, which allowed Guinness World Records to ascertain the veracity of his age. . Still very lively, the 30-year-old dog lives with Leonel Costa, his master, barely older than him at the height of his 38 years. This one was only 8 years old when Bobi was born, who knew all the generations of the family.
“Bobi is special because watching him is remembering the people who were part of our family and who are unfortunately no longer there, like my father, my brother or my grandparents who have already left this world”, s Leonel Costa is moved by the Guinness Book of Records. Bobi’s longevity runs in the family, as his mother lived to be 18.
Health checks against stress
Although doing remarkably well for his age, Bobi now has difficulty walking, and his eyesight has also deteriorated. Since it was recognized as the “oldest dog in the world”, journalists and curious people have regularly visited the animal. At her birthday party, many people wished to take pictures by her side. “He had to get up and go to bed several times. It was not easy for him,” insisted his master.
This prompted Leonel Costa to give him more regular health checks to ensure that the Alentejo Rafeiro was not stressed or disturbed by his sudden “stardom”, CNN points out.
A miracle dog
Yet Bobi almost never saw the light of day. Indeed, when he was born in 1992, Leonel Costa’s father decided not to keep the puppy and the rest of the litter. But, hidden behind logs, Bobi escaped the cruel fate reserved for his four brothers who were buried alive. “Unfortunately, at that time it was considered normal by the elderly who could not have more animals at home (…) to bury them in a hole so that they did not survive”, underlined Leonel Costa with the Guinness World Records.
Then 8 years old, Bobi’s future master, accompanied by his brother, discovered the puppy and hid his existence from his parents for a few days, until Bobi opened his eyes. “It was common knowledge that one could not or should not bury a living being if he had opened his eyes”, recalled Leonel Costa.
A memorable argument ensued between parents and children, but the whole family ended up adopting Bobi: “I admit that when they discovered him, they shouted a lot and punished us, but it was worth it ! »
