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Spike, a 23-year-old Chihuahua living in the United States, has been named in the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest living dog.
Spike, who lives on a farm in Camden, Ohio, received a Guinness World Records certificate of age at least 23 years and 7 days as of the 7th of last month.
Previously holding the record, Pebbles in South Carolina, USA, crossed the rainbow bridge in October of last year, five months before her 23rd birthday.
The record for oldest dog was then held by Gino Wolf of Los Angeles at 22 years and 52 days in November of last year, and passed to Spike about two months later.
Spike is a small dog with a height of 22.86 cm and a weight of 5.85 kg.
Current owner Rita Kimball found Spike abandoned in a grocery store parking lot in 2009 and has been with him for 14 years.
“There was blood stains around her neck that I think was from a chain or rope,” Kimball said. “The store clerk said she was there for three days.
He decided to take Spike to his farm, and as soon as he opened the door of his car, the dog jumped up and sat down, saying "it was meant to be like this".
The Kimballs heard on a TV show that Pebbles, the previous record holder, had died last year, and thought Spike deserved a shot at the oldest dog record.
When Guinness World Records recently posted the news of Spike's becoming the oldest dog on social media, comments followed, asking, "How do you know the age of an abandoned dog when it was discovered?"
In response, Guinness World Records said in an Instagram comment, "It is based on various evidence, including several veterinarian records." based on it," he said.
Kimball's advice to dog owners is to give them a healthy diet, space to roam, daily exercise, and unlimited love and attention.
According to Guinness World Records, the longest-living dog ever was an Australian Bluey who died in 1939 at the age of 29 years and 5 days.
(Photo = Provided by Guinness World Records, Yonhap News)