Meet the World’s Oldest Dog! Bobi from Portugal
Bobi – A 30 Years Old Rafeiro do Alentejo
The Guinness Book of World Records has declared “Bobi” from Portugal to be the oldest dog in recorded history. Bobi, who resides in Conqueiros, Leiria, was born on May 11, 1992.
According to the documentation provided to Guinness, Bobi, a purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo (a Portuguese breed of livestock guardian dog), was 30 years and 266 days old on February 1, 2023. The Leiria municipal services, as well as the Companion Animal Information System (SIAC), both verified Bobi’s birthdate.
Bobi is older than the previous champion, who has since passed away. Bluey, an Australian dog who lived from 1910 to 1939 and passed away at 29 years and five months, previously held the record, which he has now broken.
Leonel Costa, Bobi’s owner since he was eight years old, revealed to Guinness that Bobi’s mother, Gira lived to be 18 years old.
Leonel Costa says that Bobi’s longevity is probably because the animal is well-fed, loved, and has been allowed to live in freedom without being restrained by chains or leashes.
Bobi is One Lucky Puppy
Bobi was born in the hut where the family kept their wood as and was one of four male pups. At Eight years old, Leonel Costa remembered they always had many dogs because his father was a hunter. Leonel’s father chose to discard the newborn puppies because the household already had several animals. He added that when they took the puppies, they didn’t realize they’d left one behind.
Leonel and his brothers were heartbroken when they discovered Gira was still going to the hut where her puppies were being born. We thought the situation was odd because she wouldn’t go there if the puppies weren’t there anymore. When they followed Gira, they found Bobi, who had escaped somehow. “We knew my parents would no longer discard the dog once it opened its eyes. They chose to keep Bobi’s existence a secret from their father at first so that Bobi be with him.
Bobi has always consumed “human food,” according to Leonel, who was discussing Bobi’s diet. “What we ate, they also ate,” he said. Bobi quickly decides to choose our food over a can of animal food. Before giving his pets food, Leonel soaks the food in water to remove most of the seasonings.
According to Leonel, Bobi’s calm, peaceful environment and living far from the big cities is the main factor for his longevity. On chilly days he prefers to unwind by the fire.
Rafeiro do Alentejo – Bobi’s Breed
The Rafeiro do Alentejo breeds are superior estate and farm watchdogs. They are also a very effective livestock protector, being exceptionally watchful at night and taking the responsibility of protecting any territory or other properties entrusted to them. Their demeanor is composed and assured.
Rafeiros Alentejanos were generally used as pack dogs for big game hunting from the beginning of the breed’s history, but this use has since dwindled. A guard dog for property and livestock, keeping an eye on sheep and cattle, is a more recent use for this breed. Additionally, they frequently work alone in prairies and will protect the herd from any intruders. The Rafeiro do Alentejo is a large-sized, strong, rural, sober, and calm dog native to Portugal. He rolls slowly and heavily. His short to medium-length coat is dense, straight, and thick. They can be white with patches of these colors or black, wolf grey, or fawn, with or without brindling, and always with white markings.
Rafeiro do Alentejo – History
The Rafeiro do Alentejo is thought to be descended from Middle Eastern Molosser dogs. They played a crucial role in this kind of community because people whose way of life depended on livestock used them because of their size and bravery.
In Portugal, Shepherds and herds traveled long distances and faced numerous risks from wild animals. Therefore, flocks ( and shepherds) were always accompanied and protected by large specially bred dogs. On their seasonal journeys to the mountains in the summer and returning to the lower plains in the winter, These regular migrations inevitably resulted in these specialty dogs being dispersed to other shepherds and farmers along the route as they moved from region to region. The dogs eventually settled in the southern prairies, the Alentejo region of Portugal, where they ultimately adapted and started to be used to guard both the herds and the large rural estates. In 1953, Portugal officially became the first country to recognize the Rafeiro do Alentejo.
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