The world's oldest dog title could be about to have a new owner.
Lazare, a continental toy spaniel rescued from a French animal shelter, could take Guinness World Record title as the shelter claims he was born in 1995 - making him more than 30 years old.
Lazare, who is around 200 in human years, suffers from arthritis, deafness, and visual impairment as well as a condition that means his tongue is permanently sticking out of his mouth.
But the brown and white pooch had a happy ending after being rescued by new owner Ophelie Boudol - and could be crowned with the world title for his many years on earth.
The Guinness Book of Records is investigating the claim after The Société Protectrice des Animaux (Spa) - the French equivalent of Britain's RSPCA - contacted them about Lazare, saying that he was born on December 4, 1995.
He would replace the current record holder who died in 1939 - an Australian cattle dog named Bluey who lived to the age of 29.
Bluey replaced the previous record holder Bobi, a Rafeiro do Alentejo from Portugal, who was apparently over 31 years old.
Bobi's record was withdrawn after a review prompted suspicion among vets, who pointed out that he had different coloured paws in old photos.
Could this be the world's oldest dog? French animal shelter claims toy continental spaniel Lazare (pictured) is over 30 years old
Lazare would replace the previous record holder, an Australian cattle dog named Bluey (pictured) who lived to age 29
Lazare's new owner says she is not bothered by his age and that it was just 'unthinkable' that he should end his life at the shelter after his previous owner died
France's Lazare recently found a new home in his twilight years after spending ten days at Annecy Marlio Spa animal welfare refuge in the French Alps after his previous owner passed away, the Times reported.
The head of the shelter said his age could be in 'no doubt' after checking Lazare's microchip and the French pedigree dog register.
The average continental toy spaniel lives to around 15 years old.
His new owner, however, thinks age is just a number.
Ms Boudol, Lazare's younger at 29, told French TV channel TF1: 'I’m not interested in this record.
'I adopted him because I love animals and there was an instant bond between us. It was unthinkable for me that he should end his life at the Spa.
'He needed a loving family.'
She also told Le Parisien that he 'sleeps a lot' and likes going for slow walks. She added that her vet reassured her he was in good nick for his age.