Barking Up the Wrong Tree: The Controversy Surrounding Bobi’s Age

Bobi, a dog famed for his Guinness World Record-breaking longevity, is under scrutiny as sceptics question the validity of his age. Bobi, who passed away last year and was claimed by his owners to have been born in 1992, is well-known as the world’s oldest dog. However, his titles are currently being reviewed by Guinness World Records (GWR) due to doubts raised by an online photo that seemingly shows a younger Bobi with different coloured paws.

Veterinary expert, Danny Chambers, expressed his scepticism, saying, “Considering our current medical capabilities, a 31-year-old dog is as implausible as a human living over 200 years.” Notably, no concrete evidence of Bobi’s age was available at the time of his death, and genetic testing could not confirm his exact age.

While the GWR is yet to make a final decision, they have paused applications for the ‘Oldest Dog’ record until their findings have been communicated. Leonel Costa, Bobi’s owner, maintains his claim that Bobi lived for 31 years and 165 days, surpassing the previous record held by an Australian cattle-dog. Costa recounts that Bobi’s survival from the start was nothing short of miraculous, hiding among firewood as a newborn to escape his father’s harsh policy of burying newborn puppies due to their dire financial situation.