Bobi's breed usually has a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years and Costa attributed its longevity to a number of factors,
Bobi's breed usually has a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years and Costa attributed its longevity to a number of factors,
including living in calm countryside, never having been chained or kept on a leash and always eating "human food".
including living in calm countryside, never having been chained or kept on a leash and always eating "human food".
When his dog was born three decades ago in a tiny village in central Portugal, Leonel Costa was only eight years old.
When his dog was born three decades ago in a tiny village in central Portugal, Leonel Costa was only eight years old.
Little did he know that his beloved Bobi would one day be recorded as the world's oldest dog.
Little did he know that his beloved Bobi would one day be recorded as the world's oldest dog.
When Bobi, a purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo, celebrated its 30th birthday last year,
When Bobi, a purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo, celebrated its 30th birthday last year,
Costa knew he had broken an almost century-old record held by an Australian cattle-dog that died at 29 years and five months in 1939.
Costa knew he had broken an almost century-old record held by an Australian cattle-dog that died at 29 years and five months in 1939.
Costa got in touch with the Guinness World of Records, submitted all the paperwork and a year later Bobi was officially named the oldest dog on record.
Costa got in touch with the Guinness World of Records, submitted all the paperwork and a year later Bobi was officially named the oldest dog on record.