VILLY-LE-PELLOUX, France: A French toy spaniel named Lazare thought to have been “the world’s oldest dog” has died aged 30, his carer said on Friday. Contacted by AFP, Guinness World Records said it “did not receive an application or associated evidence” before Lazare passed away on Thursday, so could not confirm whether he held the record. Lazare, a Papillon dwarf spaniel with stand-up “butterfly” ears, was born on December 4, 1995, according to animal charity worker Anne-Sophie Moyon. He spent most of his life with the same companion until she died and he ended up at the charity’s shelter.

È Lazare, un Papillon di razza Spaniel Toy Continentale nato il 4 dicembre 1995, il cane considerato più anziano del mondo. L’animale vive a Villy-le-Pelloux, nella Francia…

According to Boudol, she had originally gone to the shelter to look for a pet for her mother but later decided to take Lazare home herself.