Dachshund-terrier cross Otto passed away today, 14th January 2010, just 31 days before his 21st birthday. In dog years he was 146. Otto was put to sleep this morning after developing stomach cancer and having been ill for several weeks.

Born on 14th February 1989, Otto was officially crowned last October by the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest dog in the world. Proof of his age was established by certificates from his vet.

Peter Jones said he and his wife Lynn were devastated by the loss. "We found out yesterday he had a very large tumour in his stomach and last night I felt he was trying to tell us something. He couldn't sit or lie down comfortably and he was trying to tell us that he'd had enough, so we made the decision to end his suffering and took him to the vet this morning," she said. Describing his pet's final day, Mr Jones, of Shrewsbury said: “He slept in my bed. He woke up in the morning and he gave me the usual kiss. I was having a bath, he wanted to play, and he brought me his ball. But as soon as I bounced it a couple of times he went to sleep again.”

Dog years are generally worked out by multiplying human years by seven. Mr Jones said: “He would have been 147 next month.”

Peter and wife Lynn attributed Otto’s long life to love, good food and regular check-ups.

Mr Jones said: “We have had messages of condolence from people all over the world.” Damian Field, a spokesman for the Guinness Book of Records, said: “We'd like to express our condolences for Otto and his owners.”

The oldest ever dog was Bluey, a sheepdog from Australia, who lived to 29 years and five months before he was put to sleep in 1939.