Bella is at least 29 years old, according to her ower David Richardson.

The owners of Bella say that she is at least 29 years old.

Owner David Richardson, 76, said he got the mixed breed dog from an animal home about 26 years ago when she was at least three years old, making Bella's age more than 200 years in canine years.

But the RSPCA said it does not have any records for Bella and the Guinness World Records said without the appropriate paperwork it could not be proved.

"I'm convinced she is the oldest dog in the world," said Mr Richardson, from Chesterfield.

Gareth Deaves, records manager from Guinness World Records, said "unless we can see a doggy birth certificate or some really clear evidence from the RSPCA then we won't be able to prove Bella's age and we can't list her as the oldest dog."

According to Mr Deaves, the most recent record for the oldest dog was held by Butch, a 28-year-old from America who died in 2003.

The oldest ever dog was Bluey, a sheepdog from Australia, who lived to 29.