Human Age '217 Years'... World's Oldest Dog Celebrates 31st Birthday

A Dog in a Rural Village in Portugal
Cited as the Secret to Longevity Through a 'Free Life'

The world's oldest dog has celebrated its 31st birthday.

On the 12th (local time), according to the Guinness World Records in the UK, Bobi, an Alentejo Mastiff born on May 11, 1992, living in a rural village in the Centro region of Portugal, turned 31 years old. This is equivalent to 217 years in human age.

Bobi, registered in the Guinness World Records as the world's oldest dog.
[Photo by Guinness World Records]

Bobi's 31st birthday party is planned to be held in a "traditional Portuguese style." More than 100 people are expected to attend the party, and a dance performance featuring Bobi is also planned.

Bobi's owner, Leonel, said the secret to Bobi's longevity is "a quiet and peaceful environment," adding, "Bobi has roamed freely around the forest near the house all his life, meeting new animal friends." Leonel also mentioned that Bobi has never been tied to a leash.

Another suspected factor contributing to Bobi's longevity is that Bobi's mother, Hirado, lived until the age of 18. However, Leonel said he never expected Bobi to reach his 30s.

As Bobi has aged, he prefers playing in the yard rather than outside the house and has been reported to frequently bump into obstacles due to poor eyesight, but Leonel stated that Bobi is in good health.

The childhood and current appearance of Bobby, the world's oldest dog.
[Photo provided by Guinness World Records]

Meanwhile, Bobi was registered in the Guinness Book as the world's oldest dog in February.

The previous longest-lived dog was Bluey from Australia, who lived for 29 years and 5 months before passing away in 1939. However, Bobi is the first dog in his 30s to be recorded.

The Alentejo Mastiff is a traditional Portuguese herding dog breed, with an average lifespan of 12 to 14 years. Bobi has lived more than twice the average lifespan. His age was verified through the Portuguese government's pet database.

Since winning the Guinness World Record title, Bobi has been extremely busy. Leonel said, "Many people from around the world have come to take pictures with Bobi," adding, "Bobi has taken countless photos, sitting and standing for long periods, which has slightly affected his health, but he is currently healthy."

Leonel described Bobi as a presence that reminds him of the past, saying, "It feels like remembering grandparents, father, and siblings who are no longer in this world."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.