Guinness suspends title amid investigation into ‘oldest ever dog’

The world's "oldest ever dog" Bobi, who died in October reportedly aged 31, has provisionally lost his title as Guinness World Records investigates his age, a spokesperson for the company says.

"While our review is ongoing we have decided to temporarily pause both the record titles for oldest dog living and ever just until all of our findings are in place," the spokesperson told CNN overnight.

Bobi's age had initially been confirmed by the Veterinary Medical Service of the Municipality of Leiria, which said he had been registered in 1992. SIAC, a Portuguese government-authorised pet database, verified this, according to GWR's February announcement of the record.

READ MORE: 'Grief, guilt, pain': Mum who survived stabbing attack that killed colleague campaigns for change

He was reportedly 31 years and 165 days old when he died in October.

However, suspicions began to emerge soon after Bobi's death regarding the evidence that reportedly proved his true age.

A spokesperson told CNN overnight that GWR's formal review occurs when a record title is challenged and involves analysing existing evidence, seeking new evidence, reaching out to experts and those linked to the original application.

Bobi's owner, Leonel Costa, who said he was eight years old when his dog was born in 1992, told GWR in February that there were many secrets to the dog's extraordinary old age.

Bobi always roamed freely, without a leash or chain, lived in a "calm, peaceful" environment and ate human food soaked in water to remove seasonings, Costa said.

He was a Rafeiro do Alentejo – a breed of livestock guardian dog – according to Costa.

READ MORE: Friends, family mourn after two teenage boys killed in 'heartbreaking' crash

The breed has a life expectancy of about 12-14 years, according to the American Kennel Club.

Bobi spent his whole life in Conqueiros, a small Portuguese village about 150 kilometres north of the capital Lisbon, often wandering around with cats.

The previous record holder for oldest living dog and the oldest dog ever was held by Australian cattle dog Bluey, who was born in 1910 and lived to be 29 years and five months old.

READ MORE: Brisbane drivers slapped with $82,000 in fines per day