A healthy diet and healthy lifestyle have always been considered as a pathway to long-life by people for centuries. Numerous stories exist around the world of people who lived to be well over 100 years old. Who attributed their longevity to a healthy diet, daily exercise and a lifestyle that kept stress levels low.
The average lifespan for most dogs is 10 to 15 years, depending on breed, size, genes and lifestyle. However, some extraordinary dogs have defied expectations and lived far longer than average. These dogs have earned the title of the oldest dog in the world. Their amazing life stories have spurred pet owners and researchers to learn more about what makes for a long life.These amazing tales deliver a message: genes can be important but caring can make a huge difference.
Bobi is a village dog and his life became world record-breaking
Bobi was born in May 1992, in a small village called Conqueiros, Portugal. He was a large Portuguese guard dog, of the breed Rafeiro do Alentejo. These dogs have an average life span of 12-14 years. It was a country home and Bobi spent his childhood there because he was raised by the family, and could roam freely. He never ever left that village, not once.
He was able to live past the expected age for his breed, reaching 31 years and 165 days. In February 2023 Guinness World Records officially named him the oldest dog ever. He passed away on October 21, 2023 in his own home with people he loved around him.
However, in 2024, following a formal review, Guinness removed Bobi's record due to lack of evidence when it came to his date of birth.
Lazare: The Dog Who Found One Last Home
Lazare was born in France, far back in the month of December 1995. Little Papillon, with the ears that everyone knows, the straight "butterfly" ears. He was treated by the same person for nearly 30 years. By the time of her death he was left completely alone and at this stage blind, deaf and barely able to walk. He ended up in a shelter.
There he was discovered by a child-career called Anne-Sophie Moyon. Along with a few friends, she cross-referenced his birth date against two other birth registries, and began to make the arrangements to find out if he could be the oldest dog in the world. At this point, they had already nicknamed him "our little grandpa baby."
Lazare died at the age of 30 years and 5 months on 14th May, 2026, weeks after moving into his new house. Guinness later verified that it had not received anything before the time of his death to make his record official, nor had an application been made. For those who sat by his side at the end, the record wasn't really that important.
Why Do Some Dogs Live So Long?
It seems Bobi and Lazare don't really look alike. One of them was a large dog that never left their village. The other one was a little dog who lost his home in old age and was taken in by strangers who decided to love him.
But they both raise the same question: why do some dogs live so long? There's no single answer. There are, however, some common patterns among older dogs that live well past their expected lifespan: low stress, close companionship, a natural setting, and people who notice something has changed as the dog ages.
How to Care for Senior Dogs in India
India has millions of indies, and not all of them are as tough as they're reputed to be, particularly in their old age. There are a few things to do, regardless of breed, that can help any senior dog live a longer, healthier life:
Be aware of the subtle changes:
Ears become deaf, eyes turn cloudy, joints become stiff. These changes creep in slowly and go unnoticed.
Feed them according to their age:
Older dogs need fewer calories and more support for their joints and digestion. It helps to talk to your vet before making the switch.
Keep a consistent, slow pace:
Short, frequent walks are better for aging joints than long stretches of rest.
Don't write off indie dogs. Many Indian street and mixed breeds are genetically strong and can live long, healthy lives when given the right environment at home.
The final years of a dog's life deserve the most attention, not the least. Care was part of Bobi's story from the beginning. For Lazare, it came only at the end. Either way, the message is the same: it's never too late to give a dog the care it deserves.
