Which dog breeds live longer than others. Life expectancy of dogs at home. The healthiest in the world
Most dog breeds have roughly the same life expectancy, around 10-13 healthy and happy years. But some breeds don't make the list because of their abnormally long lifespans. There are many documented cases of dogs significantly outliving their 20s.
And although the Australian Cattle Dog is not on the list, the official record for the most old dog belongs to her, or Australian dog nicknamed Bluey, who died at the age of 29 in 1939! Amazing Fact and, if you think about it, you're probably going to want all your dogs to live that long. If you're curious about what records other breeds have, then check out the gallery below!
1. Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkie is one of the most popular breeds in the world, and also one of the luckiest - Yorkies have an average lifespan of 17-20 years!
This is a tiny toy breed and it's no wonder it has so many fans all over the world. The world's oldest Yorkshire terrier named Jack died in 2016 at the age of 25, which in human terms is at least 117 years old!
2. Chihuahua
Chihuahuas are one of the longest-lived dog breeds, and this is probably due to their size - the breed is also one of the smallest. With an average lifespan of 15 to 20 years, these dogs will provide you with long and exciting adventures. The world's oldest Chihuahua died in 2014 at the age of 20 years and 265 days.
3. Pomeranian
These fluffy little dogs have an average lifespan of 12-16 years. Pomeranians are loved in many parts of the world for their pleasant, active and friendly nature. oldest Pomeranian according to the registered data, he lived 21 years 8 months and 12 days.
4. Dachshund
Another small breed - dachshund - also has a fairly long life of 14 to 17 years. However, the world's oldest dachshund named Chanel lived for over 21 years!
5. Toy poodle
Toy Poodles may not look like their larger counterparts, but they are still very intelligent and easy to train. These little guys usually live longer, averaging 12 to 16 years. But the oldest Toy poodle, Seamus, lived to be 20 years old!
6. Lhasa Apso (Lhasa Apso)
Lhasa Apso - wonderful dogs small in size, which live an average of 12 to 15 years. They were bred to assist Buddhist monks in their temple ministry.
7. Maltese
Another small and pleasant breed in all respects is the Maltese, which has an average life expectancy of 12-15 years. The Maltese are one of ancient breeds which took place on mediterranean island Malta.
8. Beagle
Beagles are considered one of the best dogs for children, with their devoted and obedient character, but at the same time an active lifestyle. Beagles also live an average of 12 to 15 years. The oldest beagle, Butch, died in 2003 at an astonishing 27 years of age.
9. Pug
One of the most popular breeds in the world, pugs live around 12-15 years, but their personality probably outlasts them. Pugs are one of the oldest breeds that originated in China and have maintained and increased their popularity over several centuries. The oldest pug in the world, King Tug, lives today in the USA and as of June 2017, his age is 18 years and 8 months.
10. Miniature Schnauzer
This assertive breed has the same huge amount of energy as its larger counterpart. Miniature Schnauzers live an average of 12 to 15 years, which will give you plenty of time to get busy. various types sports for dogs in which they can participate.
In the article I will talk about dogs that can be considered centenarians. I will give a characteristic appearance breeds and description of temperament. I will tell you about the average life expectancy of each of the breeds and describe the price categories for buying puppies.
average life expectancy healthy dog 10-13 years, but in the dog world there are breeds of long-lived representatives.
A compact dog in adulthood reaches a weight of 3.2 kg. The forelimbs are straight, the chest is not wide. The breed is characterized by erect V-shaped ears and a luxurious coat that falls on the sides.
Thoroughbred color yorkshire terrier: on the body, the coat is silver-gray, the tail is gray with a bluish tint, the limbs and head with chest are golden brown.
Life expectancy practically beats records of dog life - 17-20 years.
The miniature playful pet is fearless, she quickly becomes attached to the owner and becomes excellent guard. York is active and loves to walk on fresh air, however, it is also suitable for keeping in an apartment.
The animal is important bodily contact with the owner.
The pet is affectionate and gets along well with other pets.
Price of a puppy: 150-400 dollars.
One of the smallest breeds that live the longest and are famous for longevity (15-20 years). A pet of this breed should not exceed 2.8 kg. The coat of the representatives of the breed can be both smooth and short, and fluffy.
The Chihuahua is famous for its complex character.
The dog is sincerely devoted to the owner, but jealous and wary in an unfamiliar society.
Chihuahua is not recommended for families with children, from loud sounds the dog becomes nervous and aggressive. With the owner, the dog is always kind and affectionate, subtly feels the mood. Socialize the dog early age extremely important.
The dog must learn to understand the command "Fu!" which calls for silence. The breed tends to give a voice at the slightest stimulus from the outside.
Price: from 150 dollars.
Compact and strongly built, the Beagle is a hound dog. He is characterized by flexibility and dexterity. Strong and dense limbs are in harmony with a dense body. Height at the withers 33-40 cm. The coat is short, any color is acceptable except for pepper. Life expectancy is 12-15 years.
This is a sociable breed that is always ready to run and play. Training is easy and obedience is excellent. Beagles are patient and love children. The dog is suitable for lovers of jogging or country walks. The breed easily finds contact with other dogs and people.
Hunting dogs may have problems with cats. Cats, feeling surveillance and hunting, show aggression, and the conflict between animals quickly develops.
Average cost of a beagle puppy: $330.
A long-liver who wears a fluffy fur coat and has modest dimensions. Square shape body, wedge-shaped head, erect ears, a well-defined transition from the forehead to the muzzle characterize the Spitz. The coat is dense, with an undercoat, the color is light.
A loyal and active dog is distrustful of strangers.
The dog is capricious, performs commands only when he wants to and is hard to train. A playful Spitz is suitable for a person who leads an active lifestyle. The pet gives love to the owner and requires affection in return.
Price: $160-240.
The shepherd dog is 58 cm tall and has a thick coat with a collar. The body is proportionally built, the limbs are strong, the chest is wide, the muscles are well developed. Color black, red, marble. White spots are allowed in a small amount. Life expectancy is 13 to 17 years.
Due to its origin, it is independent, active and cheerful. The dog is very attached to the owner, gets along well with children. If contact is established between the dog and the owner, then training will be easy.
The dog quickly understands what they want from him, and tries to please the owner. Animals do not tolerate rudeness or assault.
Price: 1200-1500 dollars.
The Lhasa Apso is a small dog. Height at withers 23 cm. rectangular shape, the belly is lean, the paws are straight, not long. The coat is long, straight and needs daily combing or clipping. The most common colors of color: white, beige, gold, gray, black. Life expectancy 14 years.
The dog has highly developed watchdog and protective qualities. The dog is freedom-loving, but recognizes only one owner. With proper and regular training, success will be achieved. Lhasa apso is suitable for a person who is ready to devote time every day to caring for a pet and playing with it.
The dog does not tolerate loneliness and neglect.
Price: 350-2000 dollars.
The dog has a slender and agile body. Height at the withers is 25-29 cm. The chest is of medium width, the muzzle is narrow, the ears are erect. The breed is characterized short limbs. The coat is short or medium. Traditional color: white with black or red spots.
The dog is devoted to the owner and guards him well. Mobile dogs need some kind of physical activity, and in its absence, they splash out the accumulated energy into damage to furniture or aggression.
With the Jack Russell Terrier you need to deal with, high intelligence allows you to quickly learn commands. good contact with the owner will ensure obedience. The Jack Russell Terrier gets along well with other pets and gets along well with young children.
Price: 260-1000 dollars.
The hunting dog is distinguished by mobility and excitement. The body of the dachshund is elongated, the muzzle is narrow and long. Height at the withers is 20-30 cm. The peculiarity of the breed is a disproportionately long body with short paws. The coat is short and hard. The color is monochromatic. The life expectancy of a dachshund is 14-17 years.
An active dachshund loves to play, but in training it shows stubbornness and may not pay attention to human commands. Regarding the maintenance of the dog in the apartment, its cleanliness is noted. The dachshund needs a daily load and communication with the owner, it quickly becomes attached to a person.
Price: 250-500 dollars.
The pug stands out from other dog breeds with its fleshy folds on the body and muzzle. The height of an adult dog: 25-28 cm, weight 6-8 kg. The chest is wide, the back is straight, the muscles are developed. Color solid fawn, black, beige, obligatory dark mask and dark-colored semi-erect ears. Average life expectancy is 12-15 years.
Pug is sociable, playful, suitable even for inexperienced owners.
The dog is calm and likes to spend time with the owner at home more than on a run. Pugs can be stubborn, but a firm hand and lack of aggression on the part of the owner will be able to raise a pet.
The pug's diet should be strictly designed, the breed is prone to obesity.
Price: 300-400 dollars.
A long-lived pet can be a representative of a breed that does not appear in such lists.
To maintain the health of the animal, it is necessary to undergo examinations at the veterinarian, and treat diseases in a timely manner. And the dog's belonging to the breeds of centenarians does not give any guarantees regarding each individual animal.
Life expectancy, whatever the dog, depends not only on genetic predispositions, but also on the care of the owner.
The most devoted creatures to man - dogs always attract our attention. Before getting a puppy, future owners are interested in the description of the breed, the subtleties of care and other practical issues. Among them, an important question is, what is the life expectancy of dogs. Let's find out more about this.
Average dog life
Let's talk right away: there is simply no single number for all dogs. She is influenced genetic features breed, "purity" of the pet (as far as it meets the standard of a particular line) and, of course, care.
There is a popular belief that the larger the pet, the shorter it is. life path. Cynologists confirm this fact, but only in part.
Indeed, if we look at reference books and tables, we will see that long-lived dogs are mostly small dachshunds and Pekingese, pleasing their owners for 14–16 years. Slightly smaller (12-13 years old) will be average for terriers of various lines.
Important! It is advisable for owners of 5-6 year old dogs to periodically show their pets to veterinarians. At this age, animals begin to have problems with bone apparatus and the respiratory system.
But the impressive bullmastiffs and sennenhunds, unfortunately, do not live so long: on average, 8–9, or even 7–7.5 years. It turns out that a weighty dog will live about a third less than "room joy."
Now let's see what specific factors "regulate" the life span of four-legged pets.
What determines the lifespan of a pet
Allocate such influence vectors:
- specific breed. Dogs that do not change their appearance for centuries and are familiar to certain regions are potential centenarians. With "exotics" that represent the "mix" different breeds, more difficult - parental signs and habits sometimes do not get along, and such dogs hardly "hold out" to the 10-year milestone.
- Genes. Yes, and in animals they play a role - the more healthy individuals were "in the genus" of the pet, the lower the risk of diseases and complications.
Did you know? by the most heavy dog The planet is considered to be an English mastiff named Zorba - putting it on the scales, the owners saw a mark of 155 kg (with a "growth" of 94 cm)! This fact was included in the Guinness Book of Records in 1989.
Important! For the puppy's health, the vaccination schedule is of the utmost importance. You should not neglect such injections - viruses are becoming more resistant, and new strains are recorded almost every year.
Note that when keeping a dog in the house, they try to avoid extremes - both hunger and oversaturation are harmful, and “mistakes” in education can completely spoil the pet (whereas “ignore” will only piss him off).
Life expectancy of different breeds
Let's start this section with figures that relate to the most popular breeds. Let's say right away: they are average and generally accepted, so there is a high probability that your puppy will live much longer.
Our small review from bulldogs, which statistics "take away" for 7-8 years. If we talk about them in more detail, then the "English" and German lines are more tenacious - up to 9 years.
Did you know? The “heavyweight” among the St. Bernards is still considered a dog named Benedict. The owners fed the dog up to 140 kg.
Funny bassets were on a par with Caucasian Shepherds- 9.5 years. But there is one caveat: "Caucasians" are sensitive to the environment, and live much longer in areas with clean air.
"Ten" is the standard life path for a Rottweiler, Doberman or english spaniel. In the same company with them - and the Siberian husky.
5–11 years is the minimum for german shepherds and boxers. If you “throw” a year, then huskies and cocker spaniels will be added to the list. 12-13 years old: Retrievers (both Labradors and Goldens), Beagles, Shih Tzu, Pointers and Welsh Corgis.
In small pugs, lapdogs and spitz life cycle even more: up to 15 years. 16 and more - this is for a fee.
A kind of "record holder" among mass breeds are lapdogs, who live up to 18 years without any problems.
Lifespan data for other dogs is shown in the table below.
Breed | Life expectancy (years), average |
Australian Shepherd | 12,9 |
Australian kelpie | 12 |
Australian shepherd | 11 – 12 |
Azawakh | 11 – 12 |
Bulldog american | 13 – 13,5 |
American staff terrier | 10 |
English setter | 11 – 12 |
toy terrier english | 12 |
Great Dane English | 11 |
Afghan greyhound | 12 |
Affenpinscher | 14 |
basenji | 14 – 15 |
basset hound | 12,5 – 13,5 |
Bedlington Terrier | 14 – 14,5 |
White Shepherd("Swiss") | 11 – 12 |
Belgian Shepherd | 12 |
Griffon Belgian | 13 |
Bernese Mountain Dog | 7 – 8 |
Beagle | 13 – 13,5 |
Bobtail | 12 |
Bloodhound | 9 |
bearded collie | 12,4 |
bullmastiff | 8.7 |
bull terrier | 13 |
Buryat wolfhound | 12 |
welsh terrier | 13 |
Pointing Hungarian | 12 |
West Highland Terrier | 12, 5 – 12,8 |
East European Shepherd Dog | 12 |
Dalmatian | 13 |
Jack Russell Terrier | 13,5 – 13,7 |
deerhound | 9,5 |
wolfhound irish | 6,2 – 6,5 |
Terrier (soft-haired) Irish | 12 |
Irish Terrier (standard) | 14 |
Spanish Mastiff | 10 |
Italian bracc | 12 |
yorkshire terrier | 12,8 – 13 |
Cane Corso | 9 |
Great Dane Canary | 8 |
Cairn Terriers | 13 – 13,3 |
Kerry blue | 14 |
Rough Collie | 12 |
Rough Collie | 12,2 |
commondor | 11 |
Landseer | 10 |
Leonberger | 9 |
Apso Lhasa | 16 |
Majorcan Mastiff | 9 |
Moscow watchdog | 9 |
mastiff neapolitan | 8 |
Drathaar | 13 |
Kurzhaar | 12 – 12,3 |
German Jagd Terrier | 12,5 |
norfolk terrier | 10 |
Newfoundland | 7 |
Parson Russell Terrier | 13,5 |
petit brabancon | 11 |
Poodle (standard) | 12 |
Poodle (mini) | 12,7 – 12,8 |
poodle toy | 14,5 |
Curly retriever (curly) | 12 |
Giant Schnauzer | 11 |
Russian greyhound | 10 |
Russian spaniel (hunting) | 13 |
Russian Terrier (black) | 10 |
st bernard | 9 |
Gordon setter | 11,3 |
Sealyham Terrier | 14 |
skye terrier | 11,8 |
Kalik dachshund | 13 |
Tibetan mastiff | 8 |
Tibetan Terrier | 14,5 |
Whippet | 14,3 |
Pharaoh | 13 |
Fox terrier | 13 |
canaan dog | 11 |
miniature schnauzer | 14,5 |
13,5 | |
Chihuahua | 13 |
sharpei | 11 |
shiba inu | 8 |
Schipperke | 13 |
shih tzu | 13,4 |
Erdterrier | 11,8 |
South Russian Shepherd Dog | 10 |
Mastiff Japanese | 8 |
Hin | 16 |
japanese spitz | 12 |
A year of a dog's life in seven years of a human
Dogs grow and develop much faster than we do, and this ratio is quite fair. Although this figure is taken as an average.
Important!Fish oil is allowed to be given to puppies - it does not contain harmful saturated acids. But oily fish it is no longer possible, and not all four-legged people use it.
The fact is that the first 2 (in some breeds - 3) years of life, the puppy's body grows not just quickly, but hyperactively: for example, weight changes are tenfold orders of magnitude. If we break this period into separate periods, it turns out that the mentioned coefficient at different stages will be:
- from 2 months to six months, this is the standard "seven";
- at 6 months it reaches 10 (by human standards, this is already 5 years);
- 8-month-old puppies are catching up with children of 9 years old in age (growth rate - 12.5);
- a one-year-old dog “translated into ours” will be 14 years old;
- then the growth slows down a bit. In 1.5 calendar years of the year, the dog will be “twenty” (a year for 13.3), and in 2 years - already 24 (coefficient 12);
- a three-year-old dog is considered mature (about the same as a human being at 30).
Upon reaching 4 and 5 years, the run of "dog" time slows down a little - respectively, 1: 9 and 1: 8. Then (up to 9 years) the same 7 years are considered the standard, after which aging begins: if 10 and 11 years multiply by 6.5, then this figure gradually decreases, reaching 5.6. The dog is 16 years old in terms of its physical data and " biological clock” is equated to a deeply elderly person, standing at the turn of the 90th birthday.
Did you know? The dog, named Zeus, amazed everyone with its size. "At the withers" the blue dog grew to 112 cm. Basketball players could envy him - measurements "on hind legs” showed 2.23 meters! Unfortunately, the amazing dog died in 2014.
We found out how many years they live different dogs and how to correctly calculate their biological age. We hope this information will be useful to our readers, and they will be able to choose a suitable puppy for themselves. Let pets please you as long as possible!
How often when we start a dog, we do not think about how long it can live, and yet the life of our pet is so fleeting. For most, the death of their dog means the loss of a beloved family member who has been a source of love and joy. For many of us, such an animal was the only source of support that remains a stable basis and hope in our life, full of many changes and stresses.
Unfortunately, dogs, our beloved pets, live much less than we humans. Their death brings real grief to our family, which is hard to come to terms with. The life expectancy of a dog depends not only on what breed it belongs to, but also on how it is treated, in what conditions it is kept, how often it walks and naturally what it eats.
Our four-legged friends are growing up pretty fast. We do not have time to notice how from a small puppy grows adult dog, which eventually comes maturity, lasting several years. And then comes old age, which we did not expect at all and did not expect that it would come so quickly.
Here we cannot change anything, but we are able to make the life of our four-legged pet happier and longer. And for this we have to take care of them from the very first day, when little puppy will only appear in our house.
It is worth noting that at the age of 3-5 years, dogs reach full development. During this period, the development of the organism is completed, the animal has a peak of energy. Around the age of about 7-8 years, the dog gradually begins to age. If they are dogs large breeds and guard dogs, they become less active and show less zeal for service. Decorative dogs begin to appreciate peace and quiet, trying to sleep more, they can look for warmer and more comfortable places.
One of the important and even the main conditions for a dog's life expectancy is its safety. This mainly concerns the conditions of its maintenance at home and walks. Care should be taken that no dangerous, harmful objects and medicines are within the reach of the animal, and especially the small puppy.
Teach your pet all the necessary commands to prevent accidents, especially when walking outside. From puppyhood, make sure that the dog does not pick up food from the ground, teach him discipline. In crowded places and in areas with heavy traffic, try to keep your dog on a leash.
Try to vaccinate and examine your pet at the veterinarian in time, clean his body from helminths from time to time, make sure that there are no fleas and ticks in his coat. Keep an eye on his teeth to prevent other diseases. With age, introduce into the diet of the animal nutritional supplements, vitamins, and if necessary - medications preventing joint diseases.
The dog must have a natural balanced diet. She should never eat from your table. In any case, her diet should always include vegetables and cereals. In addition, your pet should always have fresh water - this is very important!
Do not forget that a dog, like air, needs active walks in the fresh air: it must run to its fullest, especially for animals living in apartments, and here it doesn’t matter what kind of dog it is - big or small. Movement is life! And this is especially true when it comes to the health and longevity of the animal.
But the most important thing for a dog is communication, as the animal suffers a lot if it is not given proper attention. In order to live long, the dog must always feel your care and love. However, do not forget that the life expectancy of a dog largely depends on its breed and size.
So let's talk about how long a dog can live depending on the breed.
Dogs of small and decorative breeds without much stress can live up to 14 years, but a 10-year-old dog of a large breed can be attributed to centenarians. In addition, even among dogs of the same breed, life expectancy can be different. According to the stories of veterinarians, in their practice there were often dogs of medium and small breeds, who lived to the age of 18, and sometimes - and 20 years of age.
According to statistics, Dogue de Bordeaux live the least - average duration life - 5.2 years. Irish wolfhounds, bloodhounds, bull terriers and bulldogs live a little longer - from 6 to 7 years. Boxers, King Charles Spaniels, Doberman Pinschers, English Cocker Spaniels, can live from 9 to 11.5 years. english setters, Scottish Setters, Bobtails, Elder Terriers, etc.
But Afghan Hounds, Basset Hounds, Beagles, Border Collies, Border Terriers, Chow Chows, Tibetan Terriers can live from 12 to 13.5 years or more. If you want your pet to please you, try to choose a medium-sized or small dog for as long as possible. decorative breed. However, always remember that the lifespan of your pet depends on you and your care. And his health in old age, for the most part, depends on what kind of life he lived in his youth.
Breed | Average life expectancy (years) |
---|---|
6,2 | |
6,7 | |
7 | |
8,4 | |
bullmastiff | 8,6 |
Rhodesian Ridgeback | 9,1 |
deerhound | 9,5 |
Flat-Coated (Flat) Retriever | 9,5 |
9,8 | |
9,8 | |
weimaraner | 10 |
norfolk terrier | 10 |
King Charles Spaniel | 10,1 |
10,3 | |
10,4 | |
King Charles Spaniel | 10,7 |
english setter | 11,2 |
11,2 | |
11,3 | |
scottish setter | 11,3 |
Welsh Springer Spaniel | 11,5 |
11,8 | |
Bobtail | 11,8 |
11,8 | |
12 | |
12 | |
12 | |
scottish terrier | 12 |
12,2 | |
12,2 | |
American Staffordshire Terrier | 12,3 |
bearded collie | 12,3 |
When the family appears four-legged friend, few people think about how many years of life allotted to the universal pet. But there always comes a moment when the owner, with hidden sadness, discovers that the pet's muzzle has turned gray, the tread is not so cheerful, and games and fun are not as pleasing as in previous years. More and more good faithful dog called an old man, and family members begin to calculate the age of the dog, correlating it with the human.
How many years of life is allotted for each dog? Are there general principles canine longevity? Let's try together to figure out the question on what conditions depends.
How long do dogs live on average
Scientists have calculated that the life of a dog lasts just over 12 years. itaverage lifespan of dogsborn with good health and living in favorable conditions.
This period is conditional, since various factors affect its increase or decrease: breed, genetics, conditions of detention, nutrition, environment. And if, for example, a Shar Pei at 5-6 years old is already susceptible to senile ailments, then the Maltese even at the age of 10 remains in the eyes of those around him as a puppy.
Probably loving and caring owners should consider average age the breed of your pet is not as a sentence, but as a kind of beacon that allows you to properly build a nutrition and maintenance system. By taking care of your pet's living conditions, you can give him extra years of life, contrary to the average.
How to correlate the age of a dog and a person
Much less human life. If we correlate human age with the age of four-legged friends, we get amazing picture. Throughout life, a person goes through the stages of infancy, childhood, adolescence, youth, maturity, old age and aging. These periods are measured in years. In a dog, the duration of the stages of growing up is sometimes compressed into only a few months.Thus, a newborn puppy travels the path of a one-year-old human baby in 2 months.
The table below allows you to put an equal sign between the various periods of human development from infancy to old age and the development of a pet.
Person's age (number of years) | Dog age |
1, 2 | 2 months |
6 months |
|
8 months |
|
12 months |
|
18 months |
|
2 years |
|
3 years |
|
4 years |
|
5 years |
|
6 years |
|
7 years |
|
8 years |
|
9 years |
|
10 years |
|
11 years |
|
12 years |
|
13 years old |
|
14 years |
|
15 years |
|
16 years |
This correlation helps the owner to better understand the behavior and needs of the pet.As in human society, kids are energetic and curious, teenagers are impulsive and categorical, mature ones are confident in their abilities, the elderly are slow, wise and calm.
Lifespan varies by breed
shown in the table:
Breed name | Age (years) |
wolfhound irish | |
Newfoundland |
|
Great Dane | |
Mastiff | 8-10 |
st bernard |
|
sharpei | 9-11 |
basset hound |
|
Caucasian Shepherd Dog |
|
Rottweiler | 9-12 |
chow chow |
|
Bulldog | 10-12 |
Boxer |
|
doberman | 10-13 |
Dalmatian |
|
english spaniel | 10-14 |
West Siberian Laika |
|
German Shepherd |
|
Terriers | 10-16 |
bull terrier | 11-14 |
Akita Inu | 11-15 |
Labrador | 12-13 |
Dachshund | 12-14 |
Cocker Spaniel | 12-15 |
Husky Siberian |
|
Poodle | 12-17 |
Chinese Crested | 13-15 |
Pug |
|
Great Dane Argentine |
|
14-15 |
|
Chihuahua | 15-17 |
Spitz pygmy |
|
Maltese | 18-20 |
How dog life spanwill be for a particular breed in each case, it is absolutely impossible to say in advance. The mortality of dogs programmed to live as long as possible can be affected by distemper or heredity, accident or even stress. But with proper care in the hands of a caring owner, each dog can not only live happy life within the time frame of their breed, but also to be among the long-livers.
Why Large Dog Breeds Live Shorter
The above table eloquently indicates that large dog breeds live much less than their small brethren. If the age limit maltese 20 years, Spitz and Chihuahua - 17, then the Irish Wolfhound, Newfoundland and Great Dane - only 8, the Mastiff and St. Bernard - no more than 10.
This is explained, first of all, by the great weight, which is a heavy burden on the entire body of the giant dog. More often than in small breeds, the heart of a giant contracts, supplying blood to a huge body.Representatives of large breeds more often suffer not only from heart ailments, but also from diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
It should be taken into account thatlife span of dogsdepends not only on the large or small size of the breed. An important point is the constitution of the dog, its heredity, the balance of nutrition and physical activity.The caring and responsible attitude of the owner to the content of the pet eliminates the negative impact of stress on the heart and joints.
The inheritance of a pet
Not only size, but also heredity has a great influence on life expectancy. At the genetic level, a predisposition to diseases is laid. The health and conditions of the mother before conception, during pregnancy and feeding are of great importance for the formation of a puppy, because it is in the womb that general state organism.
in nurseries in without fail information is tracked about how long the baby's ancestors lived, how they got sick during their life, which caused their death. This information helps to properly build a pet's lifestyle, diet and exercise. Together, this helps to minimize the possibility of hereditary pathologies and increase the lifespan of pet dogs.
"Multi-breed nobles", or why mutts live longer
It is believed that mongrels live much longer than their purebred relatives. In the blood of each mongrel, signs of more than one breed are mixed, which gives each of them individuality. Intelligence, height and weight, health - these qualities of different breeds can be manifested to a greater or lesser extent. It is important that mongrels are much less likely to pass on to their descendants hereditary diseases characteristic of their thoroughbred ancestors. This is explained by tough natural selection, which mestizos go through all the way of their existence.
However, the life span laid down in the mongrel by nature can be very different from what actually awaits it. If a homeless yard terrier lives on the street, then he is constantly exposed to stress. The quality of food obtained in garbage cans, diet, weather conditions have a negative impact on it.
The life expectancy of a dog at home can be significantly increased if the natural potential of the “multi-breed nobleman” is properly developed. Proper nutrition, cleanliness, regular vaccinations, systematic physical exercise, timely veterinary care gives a chance to significantly increase life expectancy, which depends primarily not on heredity and breed, but on the responsibility of a caring owner.
Exception to the rule: centenarians of the canine kingdom
Despite the fact that the age of our pets is much shorter than that of humans, any dog in theory can become a long-liver.
Long-lived record holders, immortalized in the Guinness Book of Records, have already become several dogs, among them:
- Max lived 29 years, 9 months. Born in the USA in 1983, died in 2013. In his blood were mixed breed characteristics of a terrier, beagle, dachshund.
- Bluey lived 29 years, 5 months. She was born in Australia in 1910 and died in 1939. More than 20 years of her life were spent on the pastures, where Bluey helped herd the sheep. The Bluey breed is an Australian Cattle Dog (Australian Heeler). It is noteworthy that this breed cannot boast of a long lifespan: it is just over 13 years.
- Bremble lived for 27 years. Born in the UK in 1975, died in 2002. Breed - Collie. The age limit for dogs of this breed is 13-14 years.
- Pusuke lived 26 years, 8 months. Born in Japan in 1985, died in 2011. Pusuke was a half-breed, in which the blood of a Shiba Inu flowed. Japanese cynologists have calculated that, by human standards, Pusuke lived for approximately 125 years.
What is the key to longevity
P life span of dogslargely dependent on compliancea few basic rules:
Let everyone pet as long as possible pleases its owners with excellent health and cheerful mood, lives happily ever after. To do this, you need not so much: to understand the full measure of responsibility for the life of your pet and love him.