When he sent Bobi's identity papers to Guinness World Records, Leonel Costa, a 38-year-old Portuguese, believed at best that his dog would be the surviving dean of the canine breed.
This Rafeiro do Alentejo, a breed of Portuguese cattle guard dog, celebrated its 30th birthday on February 1 in the rural village of Conqueiros, making him the oldest dog ever, according to the institution which lists unusual records.
He thus beats the previous record held by Bluey, also a cattle dog but Australian, who lived 29 years from 1910 to 1939.
To remove doubts about his age, the institution specifies that Bobi's birth was registered in 1992 with the Veterinary Medical Service of the municipality of Leiria (Portugal) and his age verified by SIAC, a database of Portuguese pets managed by the National Union of Veterinarians.
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According to Leonel, his dog's rejuvenating serum is above all the "calm and peaceful environment" in which he lives.
" Far away from cities ".
"Bobi was never chained or attached to a leash, and always enjoyed roaming freely in the forests and farmlands surrounding the Costa family home," the Guinness website reads.
Another factor that has contributed to its extraordinary longevity (the average life expectancy of a Rafeiro is usually 12 to 14 years): its diet.
His master explains that his refined stomach only tolerates "human food", preferably soaked in water first, in order to remove any seasoning.
“Between a box of animal mash or a piece of meat, Bobi does not hesitate,” confides the latter.
His faithful companion also drinks a liter of water a day.
He escapes death shortly after birth
A rather effective diet if we are to believe the life expectancy of the dogs of the Costa family: Gira, Bobi's mother, lived until 18 years old and another of their dogs, Chicote, until 22 years old. .
“But Bobi is one of a kind,” says Leonel.
He should never have known the pleasures of life on the farm, according to Guinness.
When he was born, Leonel's father decided not to keep the puppy and the rest of the litter.
But hidden behind logs, Bobi escaped the cruel fate reserved for his four brothers who were buried alive.
“Unfortunately, at that time, it was considered normal by the elderly who could not have more animals at home (…) to bury the animals in a hole so that they did not survive”, says Leonel .
When his parents finally discovered Bobi, it was too late, the young dog had already opened his eyes and was part of the family.
Today, the presence of the faithful companion allows Leonel, who was eight years old when he was born, to remember his parents and his childhood.
“Watching him is like remembering the people who were part of our family and who are unfortunately no longer there (…) Bobi represents these generations”, he concludes.