Pusuke, the world's oldest living dog, has died at the age of 26

Sakura - The world's oldest living dog - as recognised by the Guinness Book of Records - has died at his home in Japan at the age of 26.

Pusuke died in the city of Sakura, which is located in prefecture of Tochigi. The male cross-breed would have been 125 in human years. Although Pusuke always had a good appetite and healthy lifestyle according to his owner, Yumiko Shinohara, it was on Monday morning when everything changed. Pusuke refused to eat and also had difficulty breathing, before peacefully passing away in the afternoon. Ms. Shinohara arrived home just five minutes before Pusuke died, after she was out running errands. Shinohara, 42, said: "I think (Pusuke) waited for me to come home. "I was with Pusuke for 26 years and I felt as if he was my child. I thank him for living so long with me." Pusuke was officially named the world's oldest living dog in December 2010, claiming the record from a Beagle named Butch, who died in 2003 at the age of 28.