Oldest dog in the world dies just weeks after French owner passed away

A papillon dwarf spaniel, believed to have been the world's oldest dog, has died in southeastern France just weeks after losing its owner.

Lazare, who lived almost three decades in the Alpine countryside, passed away on Thursday, according to a social media post from the dog's recent adopter.

Born on December 4, 1995, the pooch was approaching his 30th birthday and may have held the title of oldest dog ever recorded.

In his final years, Lazare had lost his sight and hearing, developed arthritis, and his tongue permanently hung from his mouth.

Following his owner's death, the elderly spaniel was taken to the Annecy Marlioz Spa charity shelter in last month.

Ophélie Boudol, a 29-year-old single mother, subsequently took Lazare into her home, making her one year younger than her new pet.

Ms Boudol had originally been searching for a companion animal for her mother but decided to welcome Lazare into her own family instead.

Speaking to AFP earlier this week from her home in Villy-le-Pelloux, she described the dog's character warmly.

"He really has such an endearing personality," she said, offering Lazare a home with her nine-year-old son and two cats.

"He had been found next to the body of his owner," she said she was told.

"I spent half an hour sitting next to him, then I said, 'Listen, if nobody wants to take him, I don't mind - as long as he gets on with the cats".

Lazare, who Ms Boudol called "our little grandpa baby", sadly died just weeks later.

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"He started slipping away in my arms last night," she said. "He was off to reunite with his first carer."

Despite the animal's various health conditions, Ms Boudol noted Lazare maintained his spirited nature until the very end.

The dog's date of birth was confirmed through two separate registries, including France's official pedigree dog register.

Should Lazare's age be officially recognised, he would surpass Bluey, an Australian cattle dog that died in 1939 at 29 years old, and currently holds the Guinness World Records title.

A Portuguese dog called Bobi, a Rafeiro do Alentejo breed, had previously been declared the oldest canine, after reportedly dying aged 31 in 2023.

However, Guinness World Records conducted a review the following year and concluded insufficient evidence existed to verify the claim.

Guinness World Records has yet to provide a statement regarding Lazare's potential record in waiting.

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