In October, the world’s oldest dog died – aged 31.
Now, a week later, Bobi’s world record is being questioned by veterinarians worldwide.
– It is an exceptional age, it must be said, says Jens Häggström, professor of internal medicine for domestic animals.
He was born in 1989 in an outhouse together with his three siblings in the Portuguese village of Conqueiros. 31 years later, in February earlier this year, he became world famous when he was honored by Guinness World Records.
In October, Bobi died – as the world’s oldest dog.
But was he really?
– It is an exceptional age, it must be said. But that’s biology, and sometimes unusual things happen, says Jens Häggström.
The Guinness Book of Records will investigate the record
Bobi’s world record is now being called into question after vets around the world found it to be “biologically unlikely” for a dog to be that old.
– I hope that is true, but it is extremely rare. 31 years corresponds to around 87 years for a person, according to a scale that was published around three years ago, says Jens Häggström
Now Guinness World Records will investigate the record to see if they can keep Bobi in their books.
– It is difficult to investigate a dog’s age. But they can look at cards and old photographs and do the best they can, says Häggström.
At the same time, it is difficult to determine an age only through genetic tests, according to Guinness World Records.
The previous record holder was the dog Bluey, an Australian cattle dog who died in 1939, aged 29 years and five months.