French dog believed to be world’s oldest dies aged 30
The French Alps rescue became a social media favourite in his final days
Lazare was born in 1995 and lived to 30 years and five months old
Lazare’s Instagram account
Lazare, a Papillon spaniel from the French Alps who was believed to be the oldest dog in the world, has died at the age of 30 years and five months.
Lazare spent his final weeks near Annecy, in the Haute-Savoie region, after being adopted by Ophélie Boudol following the death of his longtime owner.
Born on December 4, 1995, Lazare arrived at the SPA Annecy Marlioz shelter after his owner passed away. Ms Boudol had initially gone to the shelter to seek a pet for her mother, but quickly fell in love with the elderly dog and decided to take him home.
Lazare had spent almost his entire life with the same owner and was reportedly found beside her body after she died. His age was verified through his microchip registration and shelter records.
During the short time he spent with his new owner, Lazare became something of an online star, attracting more than 3,000 followers on Instagram as Ms Boudol regularly shared updates about his daily life.
Despite his age, Lazare was in good health. He wore nappies, suffered from arthritis, was visually impaired and slightly deaf, and had only one tooth left. Even so, his blood tests showed surprisingly positive results and, although he spent most of the day sleeping, he was said to have remained spirited and endearing.
However, he passed away on May 14, with Ms Boudol announcing his death in a post on Instagram. “You decided to take flight in my arms on the evening of May 14, to join the owner who loved you so much and cared for you throughout all these years,” she wrote alongside photos and videos of their final weeks together.
The SPA Annecy Marlioz shelter had also been attempting to have Lazare officially recognised by Guinness World Records as the oldest dog in the world, a process that requires extensive documentation, including veterinary records, official papers, independent testimony, and photographs and videos covering different stages of the dog’s life.
According to AFP, Guinness World Records had not received a completed application before Lazare’s death and therefore could not confirm the record.
As a result, Bluey, the Australian Cattle Dog who died at the age of 29 years and five months, remains the holder of the record for the oldest dog in the world.
Papillon spaniels typically live between 15 and 17 years, making Lazare’s longevity particularly extraordinary nonetheless.
