Are you wondering how you can help your dog live a long, healthy life? Well, the world's oldest dog has just been confirmed by the Guinness World Records as a 22-year-old fox terrier — and his owner has shared the secrets to his long life.
The fox terrier, named Pebbles, was born on the 28th of March 2000 and his owner only reached out to Guinness World Records after seeing a 21-year-old chihuahua be named the world's oldest dog earlier in the year.
Up until then, the chihuahua, named TobyKeith, was briefly the world's oldest dog at 21 years and 66 days old on the 16th of March. His owner, Florida-based Gisela Shore, who was over the moon with his new official title, says that "it definitely brought a big smile on my face!"
So what is the secret to the dog's long and happy life?
Pebbles' owners Bobby and Julie Gregory attribute her long life to the happy and positive environment that they provide, treating her like family, proper healthcare and good, clean food.
And when it comes to her diet, Pebbles was put on a cat-food diet by her vet in 2012 but she still enjoys sneaking a hot dog or a hamburger when she can.
Pebbles also enjoys basking in the sun and playing under the palm tree in the Gregory's South Carolina garden, taking walks with Bobby and waking up in the afternoon after staying up all night.
TobyKeith's owner Gisela, on the other hand, believes that a couple of factors have been key to his long life and these are regular exercise, a diet of vegetables, chicken and rice, good genetics and most importantly, a loving and caring home.
Originally dubbed Peanut Butter, Gisela quickly changed his name to TobyKeith once she adopted the tiny chihuahua who was just a few months old back in 2001.
Gisela had been volunteering at Peggy Adams Animal Rescue when an elderly couple gave up their puppy as they could no longer care for him properly. And ever since then the bond between pup and owner has been a strong one.
Described as, "spunky, friendly and sweet" by his owner, TobyKeith also shares his home with two other dogs, seven-year-old American bulldog, Luna and three-year-old Chinese Crested, Lala, as well as a 32-year-old parrot named Coqui.
A typical chihuahua lives anywhere between 12 and 18 years, so TobyKeith has certainly exceeded the usual life expectancy. And when he turned 20, it occurred to Gisela that he could very well be the oldest living dog, with Guinness World Records confirming this with his new title just a few weeks ago.
Even though he does have a heart condition, this doesn't affect his daily life or stop him from waking up at 6:30am each morning to go on his regular short walks with Gisela. How did the pup celebrate? He took a ride in the car, had his nails trimmed and enjoyed his favourite meat treat, a slice of turkey.
13 dog shampoos to tackle dry skin, shedding, odour and more
No, you can't use regular shampoo on your dog. But you can use Fur Bébé by luxe Parisian haircare for humans brand Ouai. After all, why shouldn't your dog enjoy the same sleek, shiny tresses you do? And on that note, with its notes of lemon, rose, jasmine sambac, iris, lily and white musk, you might actually be tempted to use this doggy shampoo yourself!
Black dogs need a shampoo which is going to give their dark, richly-toned hair some proper shine. This is a pricey one, but it's full of natural ingredients, including chia seed extract and hemp oil, that wash away dirt and impurities, add strength and keep fur shiny and well-kempt.
Here's a lovely natural option from Swedish dog care brand WAP. If your dog has sensitive skin, it's likely a good option – it's been designed to offer anti-inflammatory properties while minimising irritation and dryness. The formulation includes tea tree, which has antibacterial properties, and lemon to help boost circulation and give that fresh, zesty scent.
There's really not much worse than having your dog roll in animal faeces! This duo pack of deodorising shampoos will swiftly remove the evidence – and any lingering smell.
Dirty Dawg is a mild no-rinse dog shampoo spray that helps to effectively remove dirt and odour from your dog's coat. Ideal for use as a 'spot cleaner', the spray is great for use on the go or for a quick clean between washes. Simply spray it on your dog's coat and groom it through.
Curly Coat is a shampoo specifically designed for curly-coated dogs. Enriched with conditioners, oatmeal and shea butter, it helps to remove knots from your dog's coat and improve overall appearance. It's 100% vegan.
Are you looking to treat your dog for fleas without damaging his coat or skin? This dog shampoo has a gentle pH balanced formula, based on pro-vitamin B5 and tea tree oil, to ensure it is compatible with all skin types. This tick remover shampoo also helps eliminate ticks and fleas from the thickest coats, while providing a soothing, calming effect on the irritated, bitten skin.
This product works as a shampoo and a conditioner to give you the best of both worlds without compromising on quality. The ultra-gentle, pH-balanced buttermilk and linseed oil formula will clean your dog and leave their coat feeling soft.
Does the sound of running water in the bathroom give your dog anxiety? This shampoo uses commonly used aromatherapy scents to help pets relax. It can be used on any breed for a soothing experience, and is enriched with relaxing lavender and mint for a clean, happy, fresh-smelling pet. It's also a great product for older pets, to help soothe away those aches and pains.
FURminator shampoo and conditioner offer ingredients that help reduce and control excessive shedding. Using this omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, calendula extract and papaya leaf-infused shampoo once a month will leave your dogs coat looking and feeling as good as new.
Is your dog prone to jumping in puddles and rolling in the mud? Maybe it's about time you invest in an industrial size bottle of shampoo. This vegan-friendly product comes in a 5L bottle so you will be ready for bath-time at the drop of a hat. Plus, it's PH balance makes it suitable for all breeds and coat types from Poodles and Cockapoos to Bulldogs and Labs. You can also use this shampoo on puppies over eight weeks.
The specially formulated shampoo is ideal for combatting issues that go deeper than just a bad hair day. This product will help relieve skin scaling caused by seborrhea and relieve mange and parasitic infections. This medicated dog shampoo works fast to relieve symptoms including inflamed scalp, greasy or waxy skin, red skin rashes, bald spots, itch, and flaky skin associated with seborrhea, mange, and parasitic issues.
Give your dog’s coat a quick refresh with this no-rinse dog grooming spray. Formulated with chamomile flower extract and glycerin, this freshly-scented formula helps spot clean and deodorize pups on the go.
Ellis Cochrane is a Freelance Contributor for House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, covering everything from expert tips and tricks, to gardening advice, product roundups and the newest properties to hit the market. Ellis has been writing about homes, interiors and gardens for four years now, and her work has also been published on Ideal Home, Prima and Elle Japan. Over the years, Ellis has also written at a number of publications such as Cosmopolitan, Tyla, Daily Express, Expert Reviews UK, Stylist and IndyBest, covering beauty and style, TV and films, books and celebrity news. Ellis studied at the University of Strathclyde, where she completed a Joint BA Hons Degree in English and Politics. Follow Ellis on Instagram at @ellistuesday.
