'Oldest' Dog Heads for 27th Birthday

An Australian mongrel fed on kangaroo and emu could be the oldest dog in the world. A vet in the outback town of Wilcannia has established that Jerry, a red heeler-bull terrier cross, will make it to 189 dog years when he hits 27 in August.

Dogs rarely live past their 15th birthday, but Jerry shows little sign of fragility beyond some arthritis and worn teeth. "He is a remarkably solid dog for his age and has not got that wasted look that animals and old people get," the town's RSPCA vet, Honey Nelson, told the Melbourne Herald Sun.

"I think it's partly genetic, but also because he's a fit, roo-hunting dog who used to catch a lot of emu and roo. He could push on to 28."

The oldest dog on record was an Australian cattle dog named Bluey, who died in 1939 at the age of 29.

Jerry's owners, Aboriginal leader Waddie Smith and his wife Aileen, said he was a gentle creature who had never fathered pups.

"Everyone in Wilcannia knows him because he's never hurt anyone, although he does not like cats in the yard - they're his one enemy," said Mr Smith.

"He means a lot to me. He still comes for a bush walk with me. I take him nearly every night and he jumps up and wants to grab me on the arm like when he was younger."