“Oldest dog ever” Bobby loses title after investigation

Portuguese Mastiff dog Bobby, who was named the world’s oldest dog ever recorded by Guinness World Records (GWR), has been stripped of the title. people magazine, The dog was awarded the title in February last year, but it was withdrawn posthumously after GWR investigated evidence of Bobby’s age. It is said that when the dog was given this title, it was 31 years and 165 days old. It died eight months later, in October 2023. The dog’s birth was certified by the Portuguese government.

When compared to humans, the age at which Bobby died is equivalent to 200 human years.

But GWR launched an investigation after claims by vets and some others that a photo of Bobby at his younger age showed his paws were white, while in the dog’s later years they were brown.

In a statement, Mark McKinley, Director of Records at GWR, announced the withdrawal of the title.

“We take great pride in ensuring the accuracy and integrity of all of our record titles as much as possible. In response to concerns raised privately by veterinarians and other experts as well as in public comments and the findings of investigations conducted by some media outlets Afterward, we felt it was important to review Bobby’s record,” Mr. McKinley said.

After analysis of the dog’s microchip data and checking with a veterinarian, GWR was left with “no conclusive evidence that could definitively prove Bobby’s date of birth,” People The statement quoted Mr. McKinley as saying.

The statement concluded, “With no conclusive evidence currently available to us, we cannot retain Bobby as the record holder and cannot honestly claim to maintain the high standards he has set.”

Bobby’s owner has been informed that his late pet no longer holds the title of “oldest dog ever.”

Before Bobby, the title of world’s oldest dog was given to Spike the Chihuahua from Ohio, who died in 2022 at the age of 23 years and seven days.