However, think about this: some of the longest-living creatures on the planet are gigantic; for instance, whales can live for up to one hundred years, and elephants can live for around 50 years. So why does one of our most popular and devoted pets have such a short life?
Smaller breeds enjoy a lifespan of 10-15 years but can reach 18 and beyond.
Medium breeds have a life expectancy of 10-13 years.
Large breeds have a reduced lifespan of 8-13 years.
First, let’s dispel that ridiculous myth that one dog year is equivalent to 7 human years. Using that comparison, a seven-year-old boy would be able to father a child, and a seven-year-old girl would give birth.
Replace it with the following. (all figures are approximate)
The first year of a dog’s life is equivalent to fifteen human years; the second year is equivalent to nine years, and thereafter, five years. This can be applied to all breeds regardless of size.
Now, anyone considering purchasing a certain breed of dog is able to look up a longevity chart, but how accurate are they? Consider this first. If a dog is a very popular breed, then its lifespan chart may well be distorted by its numbers. Similarly, a rare breed may also suffer a distorted chart.
The lifespan of a Belgian Malinois exceeds that of a Golden Retriever by about two years despite their similarity in size. Why? That is almost certainly because the Malinois is a breed that was exclusively bred for work and has until now evaded the clutches of professional breeders, but mark my words, in another few years, this proud working dog will go the same way as others. As its popularity grows, the hereditary defects that plague virtually all recognised breeds will emerge, and its lifespan will be reduced.
Female dogs tend to live slightly longer than males and females that are neutered enjoy a longer life as its ensures that they never suffer from that life threatening infection of the uterus known as a pyometra.
As our dogs get older and don’t wish to exercise as much, they will need less food as they use up fewer calories. Failure to monitor diet can lead to weight gain, leading to obesity, and suffering from joint pain, and premature demise.
Another issue to consider is that longevity figures include dogs that are euthanized due to ill health, usually from the very hereditary conditions that they were born with. It’s obvious that once defects are found in any breed, by mating more of them together, the incidence of those defects can only multiply, thus shortening a dog’s life.
Bearing in mind that all domesticated dog breeds result from our interference from the Chihuahua to the Great Dane, it’s hardly surprising that this is yet another man-made problem. Virtually all breeds suffer from some sort of hereditary defect. (see Hereditary Defects) This raises the argument that crossbreeds suffer less from these defects and can live longer. This is a dispute that has been going on for years. Some research states categorically that pedigree dogs live longer, and other research indicates that crossbreeds live longer. My own take is that I reckon that there is little difference but that the crossbreed might enjoy life without the distress of hereditary defects that plague their posh cousins.
Sadly, we are now getting even more designer breeds, such as the labradoodle and cockerpoo. The original idea was laudable, but regrettably, as expected, these are now displaying the same defects that plague their pedigree counterparts, and they are still crossbreeds!!
Small dogs with long noses will generally live longer than larger dogs with flat noses.
Whilst size plays no part in cases of ingesting toxin, trauma or infection, in the case of cancer, there is an increased threat to dogs related to their size. The heavier the dog, the greater the risk of dying from this hideous disease
There is, however, something that we can do to assist our pet’s longevity.
We can choose a dog that is compatible with our lifestyle. If you enjoy 20 mile hikes a dachshund would be a poor choice. By the same token if you have limited mobility a large breed that will require some degree of exercise will be just as bad as it may lead to boredom and then bad behaviour.
I am constantly amazed that people acquire a pet with very little thought as to the potential financial implications that include vets fees, feeding, neutering, vaccinations and insurance costs.
A quality diet can increase your dog’s longevity. Cheap food can be a false economy. That doesn’t mean having to buy expensive food necessarily, but a slight change in diet will definitely benefit the ageing dog. Some ingredients are extremely important for the elderly. Remember not to let your pet get overweight. As they age, they exercise less, and therefore, they need fewer calories.
The following are especially beneficial for old dogs.
Let’s be honest how many of us actually look at the list of ingredients on food packaging for pets, but we probably do check when it is for our consumption.
Initial vaccinations and recommended boosters can contribute to longer life.
Certain supplements have without doubt been proven to have a benefit to animals particularly If they are not already included in the dog’s diet (see diet)
Correct exercise but not overdoing it.
Provided by activity toys.
Pay attention to your dog so you spot the signs that need attention for the geriatric canine. Loss of hearing, loss of sight, lack of mobility etc.
I finish with the same conundrum I started with, why doesn’t our most adored pet live longer. Unfortunately until the scientific community comes up with the answer we still won’t know, however, maybe we can be reassured by today’s quotation.
Having had to euthanize their elderly dog the adults and the veterinary surgeon were discussing how unfortunate it was that dogs don’t live longer. The conversation was interrupted by the couple’s young son who coped with the process of euthanasia much better than the adults and who stated in his own words why dogs don’t live longer.
(You might need the tissues!)
“People are born so that they can learn how to lead good lives like loving somebody all the time and being nice, right?”
“Well dogs know how to do that so they don’t have to stay as long as we do.”
Shane (6 years old)
With subtitle or not?