Bobi, 'The World's Oldest Dog' Has Title Suspended by Guinness World Records
Bobi, who was said to be the world's oldest dog died this past October at the ripe old age of 31 years and 165 days, had his official tile of the world's oldest canine suspended on Tuesday.
Guinness World Records is pending the revocation of the title until they have investigated further.
The Portugese mastiff celebrated his 31st birthday last year with a large party in the village of Conqueiros, where over 100 guests attended. According to Bobi's owner Leonel, the “calm, peaceful” environment Bobi lived in contributed to his record-breaking age. Additionally, Bobi was never tied up, chained, nor leashed – he always was allowed to free-roam around his yard with the cats who lived in the house.
Related: World's Oldest Dog Is Officially Celebrating His 31st Birthday Today
Why Some are Skeptical Of Bobi's Actual Age
At the time of his death, Bobi would have been around 217 years old in human years, which is pretty astounding to think of.
CBS news reports that skeptics cited by British and U.S. media said Bobi's feet appeared to be a different color in photos of him as a puppy and snaps of him in his dotage.
And Lisbon vet Miguel Figuereido told AFP last year: "He doesn't look like a very old dog ... with mobility problems... or with an old dog's muscle mass."
Danny Chambers, a vet and council member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, told The Guardian, “Of the 18,000 members of the Veterinary Voices group, not a single one believed Bobi was actually 31 years old.”
On Tuesday, a spokesperson for the Guinness Book of World Records said, "While our review is ongoing, we have decided to temporarily pause applications on both the record titles for oldest dog living and ever until all of our findings are in place and have been communicated,” the spokesperson said. She added that it would be misleading to suggest that Bobi had been stripped of his title as “no action has been taken in relation to any record holders yet”.
People on Facebook are also questioning his age, and @Paulette says, "Unless this photo was of Bob at a youthful age, he would probably be blind, be gray around the face. I had a lab/pit that lived 19 years. Gray and blind at the end." @Kate added, "The way dogs age, 31 years is very doubtful. I understand why the title was suspended."
Whatever his real age is, it's always sad when a beloved dog dies. CBS reports that calls to the dog's owner, Leonel Costa, rang unanswered and he didn't respond to text messages. More information as this story develops.
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