Species Dog Sex Female | Breed Dachshund | |
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Born May 6, 1988
Newport News, Virginia ( 1988-05-06 ) Known for once thought to be world's oldest dog Died 29 August 2009, Port Jefferson Station, Brookhaven, New York, United States | ||
Chanel (May 6, 1988 – August 28, 2009) was a female dachshund, from the United States, that held the Guinness World Records as the world's oldest dog. She died at the age of 21 on August 28, 2009.
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Biography
Chanel was only 6 weeks old when Mrs. Shaughnessy, a single mother at the time, adopted her from a shelter while serving with the United States Army in Newport News, Virginia, in 1988.
Along with her owner, Chanel spent six years in Germany while Shaughnessy was on assignment. In her later years, she wore tinted goggles for her cataracts, was transported in a stroller because she could no longer walk for long distances without difficulty and favored sweaters because she was sensitive to the cold.
Chanel died from natural causes on August 28, 2009, at her home in Port Jefferson Station, New York, at the age of 21. Chanel was cremated after her death. It was mistakenly reported by Sky News that Chanel had died in January 2010, they had in fact mixed her up with the dog that was recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest dog after her death, Otto. This has caused other news websites to repeat the error, including Shortnews.com.
Nomination
Chanel was nominated for the title of world's oldest dog by the Shaughnessy family after noticing the Guinness World Records had no entry. The previous holder, Butch, had died in 2003. Shaughnessy forwarded written records verifying Chanel's age to the Guinness organization noting that families residing on American military bases must keep documents on their pets. Shaughnessy explained in 2009, "We're military. You keep records."
Guinness World Records officials presented Chanel with a certificate as the world's oldest dog at a Manhattan birthday bash hosted by a private pet-food company (Dogswell) in May 2009.
Chanel became a minor celebrity in the United States following her 2009 certification as the world's oldest dog. She appeared Live! With Regis and Kelly and the Today Show and the Kathy Lee Show. Chanel and her owner attended several fundraisers, including at New York's Tavern on the Green, though Chanel attended them in a stroller since she could no longer walk for long distances on her own.