Max, theworld's oldest dog, has celebrated his 26th birthday. In dog yearsthe terrier-cross is 182, the equivalent of being born in 1827. Helives in Louisiana in the United States ofAmerica。

　　"I never spoiled Max," said his owner Janelle Derouen."I've never fed him anything but Kibbles and Bits [brand of dogfood] and a few treats like those beefy doggybones。

　　"We don't give him any food from our table," addedJanelle, 49, who lives with her husband Billy, also 49, in NewIberia。

　　Max, who is greying, has a veterinary birth certificateto prove his age and is awaiting official confirmation fromGuinness World Records。

　　Janelle and Billy bought Max from a local sugar canefarmer in 1983. "He was the only one in the litter

　　that was brown and I liked the colour so I took him home," saidJanelle. Max has been visiting the same vet since birth at theRobichaux Veterinary Clinic in NewIberia。

　　Until recently it was believed that Chanel, a

　　geriatric Daschund-cross from New York wasthe oldest dog alive but Chanel, who turned 21 in May, is a fullfive years junior to Max。

　　Chanel is riddled with health problems, strugglingdesperately to see, walk and hear。

　　But Max is still in fine health and only suffers frommild arthritis and some cataracts. His secret, says Janelle, is notworrying about anything at all。

　　"He's a very, very laid back dog," saidJanelle. "He likes to lie down, relax, nap, sleep a lot and keeplife simple. He'll play with the kids for a bit but if they botherhim too long he'll wander off。

　　"He doesn't have any fancy toys, just a bit of rope and aregular squeaky ball."

　　Janelle and Billy held a special birthday party for Maxon Sunday。

　　"We spoiled him just a little bit that once," saidJanelle.