Alfie, a pet rabbit that belongs to Billie Laing, has exceeded the 12 year maximum life expectancy for a rabbit.

A half Dutch and half Lionhead rabbit most commonly lives no longer than a little over eight years, but Alfie has outlived this lifespan by four years.

Billie said: "We are ecstatic at the possibility of him being the oldest in the country. 

Billie and Alfie on his 14th birthday. (Image: Billie Laing)

"When my daughters were 14, they wanted a rabbit and so we got two rabbits, Lily and Alfie, so they could stay in pairs, but Lily died a long time ago."

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Alfie and Lily gave birth to eight babies known as kits, prior to Lily's passing.

Alfie and the cats enjoy each others company. (Image: Billie Laing)

Billie said: "We kept one of the babies, but she didn't last long either, but Alfie has kept going."

The 14-year-old rabbit currently has arthritis in his legs and since the age of nine has required frequent dental treatment.

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The vets recommended that Alfie be put down as the possibility of him living through anaesthetics were slim, but Billie refused and "he is still going."

Alfie when he was younger.

The Guiness World Records does not subcategorise records by country. As verified on 22 May 2022, the oldest living rabbit is Coal, who is at least 15 years and 243 days old, in Illinois, USA.