Posted on 05/21/2008 1:38:38 PM PDT by blam
Derbyshire may have 'oldest' dog
Bella's owner says she is at least 28 years old
A Derbyshire couple are trying to prove their pet Labrador cross is the oldest dog in the world.
Bella's owner David Richardson, 76, said he bought the mixed breed dog from the RSPCA 26 years ago when she was "at least three years old".
That would make Bella's age more than 200 in canine years.
But the RSPCA said it does not have any records for Bella and Guinness World Records said without the appropriate paperwork it could not be proved.
Mr Richardson said he thought Bella might be the oldest dog in England, but was shocked to realise that she might be the oldest in the world.
Sweet tooth
His partner Daisy Cooper said Bella was showing signs of her age, but still goes for a walk in the park.
She eats little as she has only two teeth left, but loves to suck on sweets.
Mr Richardson said when he went to the RSPCA to buy a dog he wasn't allowed to have an Alsatian because he was 50 years old.
"My choice was between Bella and another dog. She seemed friendlier so I chose Bella," he said.
Gareth Deaves, records manager from Guinness World Records, said "unless we can find some really clear evidence from the RSPCA" they would not be able to prove Bella's age.
According to Mr Deaves, the most recent record for the oldest dog was held by Butch, a 28-year-old from America who died in 2003. The oldest ever dog was Bluey, a sheepdog from Australia, who lived to 29.
Every one of my dogs (four of ‘em) lived to exactly the same age — 12. Had a cat live to 23, though.
A 28 year old dog? Not buying it.
I think I have the world’s oldest chickadee. We’ve lived here since 1972 and he still comes to my feeder and sings the same song. I’m sure it’s the same one.
The title on this thread really threw me. My last name is Derbyshire and my dog is really old!
I had a chihuahua that lived to be 22, she might have lived longer if she hadn’t attacked a German shepherd when she was younger.
My sister had a toy poodle that lived to near 20.
When was the last time he learned a new trick?
Just got confirmation from my sister that her poodle lived until she was 22. Unfortunately she was losing her senses and was found floating in the swimming pool. So who knows how long she could’ve lived.
He couldn't have a German Shepherd because he was 50 years old!! The UK is obviously not long for the world.
The RSPCA is a charity, not a government agency, and it gives out dogs as it sees fit....
28 years old? He needs to be put to sleep before he has a heart attack as the vet from “All the long legged beasties” would say.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwhgCnUQfVA
Go to any "pit bull" thread on FR. There are numerous *conservatives* on here who would ban bull terriers outright, and numerous others who are perfectly happy to dictate extensive criteria one would have to meet in order to *deserve* owning one.
I know a lot of (pet) adoption agencies, and any responsible breeder will conduct an in depth interview with a prospective owner to try to assess their suitability, and some may even request to take a look at the dog's new digs to ensure it's adequate for the dog's needs, but I can't for the life of me figure out how simply being 50 would disqualify anyone from owning any type of dog!
In before the Helen Thomas pix!
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