Bobi officially became the oldest verified dog in history in February (Picture: Guinness World Records)
One hundred guests, a dance troupe and local cured meats – this is the perfect way to spend a birthday.
But this is not just any birthday, it’s the 31st birthday of Bobi – the world’s oldest living dog.
The Portuguese farm animal, born on May 11, 1992, was officially awarded the Guinness World Record title in February.
People will join him to celebrate his birthday this weekend with a ‘very traditional’ Portuguese party on the family farm where he was born, in the village of Conqueiros.
Bobi’s owners are determined to treat the birthday boy, and will be preparing local meats and fish as he apparently he only eats human food.
A dance troupe will also be performing, with the dog set to be joining in for one of the routines.
Bobi’s owner, Leonel Costa, told Guinness World Records: ‘We’ve had a lot of journalists and people come from all over the world to take a picture with Bobi.
Bobi only eats human food, which his owners say has helped him reach his old age (Picture: Guinness World Records)
He was born and raised on the same Portuguese farm with other animals (Picture: Guinness World Records)
Bobi is still in good health (Picture: Reuters)
‘They’ve come from all over Europe, as well as the USA and even Japan.’
Bobi is a pure-bred Rafeiro do Alentejo, which has the usual life expectancy of 12 to 14 years.
Mr Costa confirmed the dog’s health has been good recently, although he is concerned the number of visitors might be stressing him out.
He added: ‘There were a lot of pictures taken and he had to get up and down many times. It wasn’t easy for him.’
The Costa family credit the ‘calm, peaceful environment’ Bobi lives in.
They never use a leash or a chain, and the dog is allowed to roam freely in the forests surrounding their house.
He is also a very ‘sociable dog’ who grew up surrounded by other animals, Mr Costa added.
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Bobi turned 31 years old yesterday.