The owner of the world’s oldest dog has revealed the secret behind his long life, saying he’s the product of good genes, a healthy diet, daily exercise and love.
Gisela Shore, 55, of Greenacres, Fla., celebrated the 21st birthday of her now-famous Chihuahua, TobyKeith, on Jan. 9. Guinness World Records confirmed he is the world’s oldest living dog a few months later on March 16.
“My vets tell me he’s just genetically perfect,” she told Good Morning America, attributing his continued health to diet, exercise and “lots of love.”
“We have a second floor to this house, and he goes up and down the stairs probably 30 times a day,” she said of the active pooch, whose diet consists of vegetables, rice and chicken.
Gisela Shore, 55, of Greenacres, Fla., celebrated the 21st birthday of her now-famous Chihuahua, TobyKeith, on Jan. 9
Guinness World Records confirmed him a few months later, on March 16, as the world’s oldest living dog
Learn from the pro! The keys to TobyKeith’s longevity
- Healthy diet with rice, vegetables and chicken
- Regular daily walks
- Train around the house
- Lots of love
On a typical day, TobyKeith wakes up at 6:30 a.m. and makes his first foray outside before getting his first snack of the day, according to Guinness World Records. He’s not allowed sugary treats, but his favorite snack is a piece of turkey.
When he’s not running around the house, he spends his days going for short walks and lounging next to his owner’s work station.
Shore, a lifelong animal lover, began suspecting he was the world’s oldest dog after his 20th birthday in 2021. The average lifespan of a Chihuahua is 12 to 18 years.
“When he turned 20, everyone’s reaction was, ‘Wow!’
“My friends and family thought he was the oldest dog they knew,” she told Guinness World Records.
The pooch has a heart condition, but that doesn’t stop him from living his best life. Shore also showers him with love, which includes pampering.
Shore adopted TobyKeith from a local animal shelter when he was a few months old
Shore began suspecting he was the world’s oldest dog after his 20th birthday in January 2021
Shore has credited continued health to diet, exercise, and “lots of love.”
In honor of his being named the world’s oldest dog, he was treated to a bath, a pedicure and a car ride.
TobyKeith has lived with Shore for two decades, having adopted him from a local animal shelter when he was just a few months old.
“I was a volunteer at Peggy Adams Animal Rescue, and one of the staff told me about an elderly couple who were trying to give up a puppy because they couldn’t take care of it,” she recalled.
“I met with the elderly couple and was introduced to a tiny tan chihuahua. They had called him Peanut Butter. I later changed his name to TobyKeith.”
TobyKeith spends his days running up and down stairs, enjoying short walks outside and curling up near his owner’s work station
The pooch eats a diet of vegetables, rice and chicken, and while he’s not allowed any sugary treats, his favorite snack is a piece of turkey
Country singer Toby Keith gave his namesake a shoutout on Twitter earlier this month after learning about his world record
TobyKeith shares a home with two dogs – Luna, a seven-year-old American Bulldog, and Lalam, a three-year-old Chinese Crested – and two birds – Coco, a 28-year-old Umbrella Cockatoo, and Coqui, a 32-year-old African Gray Afro.
While playing with all of his siblings, he has a special bond with Coco, who is often by his side. They also have many guests staying with them.
Shore has cared for more than 150 dogs and puppies over the past 20 years as a volunteer at Peggy Adams Animal Rescue.
Country singer Toby Keith gave his namesake a shoutout on Twitter earlier this month after learning about his world record.
“Toby now shares a name with @GWR’s oldest living dog, whose name is TobyKeith,” he wrote. “Now there’s a Big Dog Daddy and a Little Dog Daddy!”