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The oldest dog in recorded history, Bobi, celebrated his 31st birthday with a "very traditional" Portuguese party on Saturday.
Bobi is a 31-year-old Rafeiro do Alentejo, a purebred livestock guardian dog. He has lived all 31 of his years in the village of Conqueiros in Portugal, according to Guinness World Records.
His owner, Leonel, told the outlet that he planned a "very traditional" birthday party for Bobi with lots of local meat and fish for guests and Bobi too. Leonel told the outlet that Bobi only eats human food.
According to the Guinness World Records, Leonel also booked a dance troupe to perform at Bobi's party and Bobi was able to take part in one of the dances they performed.
"More than 100 people" planned to attend the party, many of them flying in from foreign countries, Leonel told the outlet.
Leonel said that since Bobi was named the oldest living dog in February 2023, people from all over the world have contacted him.
He took Bobi to the vet recently after growing concerned about his mental and physical health from meeting so many visitors, but he says Bobi is in good health now, according to the Guinness World Records.
"There were a lot of pictures taken and he had to get up and down many times. It wasn't easy for him," Leonel said.
Bobi was born on May 11, 1992, making him the oldest dog now living and also the oldest dog to ever live. Previously, the oldest recorded dog was an Australian cattle dog named Bluey that live for 29 years from 1910 to 1939.
Bobi has far exceeded the average lifespan of a Rafeiro do Alentejo, which is 12 to 14 years. According to Guinness World Records, Leonel has owned several older dogs, including Bobi's mother, Gira, who lived to be 18 years old.
"We see situations like this as a normal result of the life that they have, but Bobi is one of a kind," he said.
