A toy poodle whose New York City owners had sought to put him in the Guinness World Records book as the world's oldest dog has died.

Uncle Chichi was 24, 25 or 26.

Owners Frank Pavich and Janet Puhalovic adopted Chichi from an animal shelter in Charleston, South Carolina, when he was one to two years old. Records proving his age were lost.

Mr Pavich told The New York Times that Chichi was put down last week after a year-long battle with cancer.

Chichi's longevity led to an appearance on ABC's Good Morning America.

When Mr Pavich revealed Spot's Stew was Chichi's favourite food, the manufacturer donated 10,000 meals to the Charleston animal shelter.

Guinness' official oldest living dog was a 26-year-old Japanese canine. It died in December.