The Guinness World Record holder passed away at home.

The world’s oldest dog has died at the age of 31 years and 165 days old.

Bobi, a Rafeiro do Alentejo, passed away on 20 October at his family home. He had spent his whole life living with the Costa family in the village of Conqueiros, Portugal.

He made headlines in February this year, when Guinness World Records declared he was the oldest verified dog in history.

Born at the family’s rural home in 1992, Bobi was not the only long-lived dog the Costa family has kept. Although the Rafeiro do Alentejo breed typically lives for 12-14 years, his mother, Gira, had died at 18. Another of the family’s dogs, Chicote, lived to 22.

Bobi was allowed to roam free outside the family's rural home, enjoying the company of other pets. He was fed the same food the family ate, which was first washed to remove any seasoning.

His age had been verified by a pet database run by Portugal’s National Union of Veterinarians, as well as by his registration in 1992 with the Veterinary Medical Service of the Municipality of Leiria.

The previous record holder was an Australian cattle dog called Bluey, who died in 1939 aged 29 years and five months.

The news of Bobi’s death was announced on Facebook by Karen Becker, a veterinary surgeon who had met Bobi on several occasions.

Dr Becker wrote: “Despite outliving every dog in history, his 11,478 days on earth would never be enough, for those who loved him.

“When we asked Leonel [Costa, his owner] what his recipe was for Bobi’s exceptionally long life, his response was swift: ‘Good nutrition, constant contact with nature, freedom to discover his environment, consistent veterinary care, and love. Bobi knows he’s deeply loved.’

“Godspeed, Bobi…you’ve taught the world all you were meant to teach.”

Image (C) Guinness World Records