How many years do dogs live: at home, mongrels, average

Mutts are dogs that do not belong to any particular breed. They can have different sizes and absolutely any parameters of the exterior, but at the same time exist next to a person in complete understanding and respect. Their lifespan depends on a number of factors, most of which are external conditions.

How long do mongrels live, depending on their living conditions?

If we do not take into account pathological factors (diseases) and the likelihood of death from an accident, then yard dogs have a longer life expectancy compared to their purebred relatives. There is a reasonable explanation for this:

high degree of heterozygosity - mongrels inherit different genes from their dissimilar parents, which increases their viability;
strict natural selection in street conditions - weak individuals die early, unable to withstand life in the street population, and stronger and more resilient ones reach reproduction.

Mutts are dogs that do not belong to any particular breed.

The life expectancy of purebred dogs is greatly influenced by the fact that they are crossed within the same limited variety with certain parameters, which means there is an increased risk of inbreeding - crossing of close relatives. Such situations increase homozygosity, that is, reduce the viability of individuals.

Thus, purebred dogs can live 9–15 years. Mutts can reach this age only if there are normal conditions (in particular, a warm shelter in the winter) and high-quality nutrition. Obviously, this is unlikely on the street without human care, so only those dogs that were taken into the house or at least provided with access to the entrance, where they provided a place to live and the availability of food, live this long.

But there are also dogs who are less fortunate:

Homeless dogs. According to statistics, dogs without care and normal food live on the street for an average of 2 years. Most simply do not survive the winter, when in severe frost they have no warm shelter and cannot find food, as well as from infections and injuries received in fights, due to the cruelty of people or accidents on the roadway.
The average life expectancy of a stray dog is 2 years.
Dogs on a chain.
It is believed that if a dog sits on a chain in the yard, it means that it is no longer homeless and everything is fine with it. But as practice shows, dogs that do not leave their leash at all and are forced to eat leftovers from the owners’ table, which is often practiced, live on average 2–4 years. Many die from poor nutrition and diseases caused by inactivity. A huge problem is also the psychological factor - an animal that is limited in its freedom and does not have the opportunity to socialize gets mental problems. The result is unreasonably aggressive behavior. Often dogs that accidentally break loose from the chain simply go crazy with freedom, run away from their owners or get hit by cars on the roadway, losing their vigilance. Continuous being on a chain has a bad effect on the physical and mental health of the animal.

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Factors influencing life expectancy

Pedigree is not the primary influence on a dog's life expectancy. There are a number of factors that determine how long a particular dog can live:

Dimensions of the animal. There is a general relationship - the larger the dog, the shorter its life expectancy. This is explained by the fact that a large weight creates a large load on the body; dogs of gigantic size more often suffer from diseases of the heart, joints and digestive tract. In addition, it is more difficult for a large dog to find enough food on the street.
Genetic diseases. The presence of congenital pathologies in a particular individual directly affects its life. But it is worth noting that hereditary pathologies are less common in mongrels than in purebred dogs - in the process of natural selection, animals with defective genes are eliminated, which gives mongrel dogs good health.
Food quality. Eating spoiled food, leftovers from human meals, or long periods of fasting - all this greatly shortens the life of any animal . But a complete diet that provides the mongrel with everything it needs will be a significant contribution to its longevity.
Conditions of detention.
Any mongrel dog that lives in the house with its owner and is regularly walked will live no less than a purebred dog, and due to good health, probably longer. If the dog is kept outside, then it should have a warm and dry kennel in case of bad weather, as well as the opportunity to run around the area for at least several hours a day. The best option is when the dog is kept on a chain during the day and released at night to guard the territory. The dog should have a good kennel in the yard and be able to periodically be without a chain.

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Mongrels and their life expectancy

In dogs, all processes in the body proceed very quickly. To answer the question of how many years mongrels live, many factors should be taken into account, among which living conditions occupy a special place.

Note! The average lifespan of dogs is 12 years, but there have been cases when they lived up to 20-25 years.

Small dogs

Small dogs begin to age only at the age of 12, and among them there were representatives who lived up to 25 years. This is explained by the fact that in small dogs all processes in the body proceed much more slowly than in larger breeds.

Small yard dog

Medium breeds

The largest number of yard dogs are of medium size. Their maximum lifespan is 14 years, but this figure can be longer with proper care of the animal.

Big dogs

Unlike small mongrels, large dogs live much shorter lives. For example, if a small dog can live up to 17 years, then a large dog can live up to 10 years.

The reason lies directly in the weight of the animal. The larger the dog, the greater the load on the animal’s heart, because the whole body needs to be supplied with blood. Also, blood vessels and the musculoskeletal mechanism wear out quickly, resulting in many health problems.

Large mongrel dogs

How to extend the life of a dog

Even if the dog is not purebred, the owner needs to properly care for it. The mongrel will have a great chance of becoming a long-liver if, in addition to a full bowl of food and a warm bed, she has:

Veterinary care. If any alarming symptoms are detected, you should contact a veterinarian - and in animals it is easier to cure the disease in its infancy than to deal with its complications.
Vaccination according to schedule. Vaccinations help protect your dog from the most dangerous infectious diseases, in particular, distemper, rabies, leptospirosis and hepatitis.
Regular flea and tick treatment. Parasites not only create discomfort for the animal, they can be carriers of dangerous diseases.

The owner of a mongrel should consider sterilizing his pet. The regular litter of outbred babies is the main reason for the increase in the population of stray animals on the street.

A stray mongrel without proper nutrition is unlikely to survive more than two winters, and the same dog that has found an owner may well become a real long-liver and please the owner even for 15 years. Outbred animals need no less care and attention than their purebred relatives.

Author: Alena Lomakina
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Many believe that mongrels are the most loyal friends and faithful guards. But for most dog lovers, such factors as pedigree, compliance with standards and external data still remain important. But if there is no money to buy a purebred puppy, then for security purposes a mongrel dog will be no worse. These dogs also have well-developed guard instincts and attachment to their owner, and they live relatively longer.

Communication with a dog is not only joy and entertainment, it is, first of all, the responsibility and obligation of its owner. Whether a purebred dog or not, first of all it is a living being, a friend, a family member. However, we should not forget that animals live much shorter lives than people. Comfortable living conditions, high-quality food and the love of the owner are vital for a mongrel. Then she will be able to live even until she is 20 years old.

Constantly being outside affects the dog’s life, including its duration. A mongrel is more likely than a purebred dog to spend his life on a chain. And although such dogs are excellent guards, life on a leash does not contribute to longevity. In such conditions, the life of a dog is 8-12 years.

For proper development, the animal needs physical activity . Being in a confined space, it is difficult to maintain muscle tone. Keeping it in an enclosure is better than keeping it on a chain, but it depends on its size. The owners, feeling guilty towards the dog, try to feed it more thoroughly. The result is obesity and premature death of the pet.

Mongrels living outside adapt to their living conditions. In winter, the undercoat thickens, and they are not afraid of the cold. In the summer heat, it also protects the dog from overheating. To ensure that your dog stays comfortably on a leash, you should provide him with:

a booth corresponding to the size of the dog;
rational nutrition;
constant access to water;
annual vaccination;
moderate physical activity.

Dogs whose habitat is the street, for the most part, have strong immunity. But the owner, in turn, should not let the animal’s life take its course and create comfortable conditions for it.

Some mongrels are lucky and live in an apartment or private house as full-fledged members of the family. They are given regular walks, bought expensive balanced food and taken to the veterinarian for a preventive examination. With this care, on average, a dog can live about 15 years, or even longer.

Over time, the yard dog becomes everyone's family favorite. Animals are easy to learn and intuitively feel the owner. Indoors, they quickly remember their place, the main thing is that it is away from heaters and noisy household appliances.

Mongrel dogs are affectionate and sociable and get along well with children. Small pets can live to a very respectable canine age - 18-20 years. Larger individuals live 5 years less.

The lifespan of a mongrel depends on many factors. Your pet will live as long as possible if you take care of these factors from puppyhood.

Food quality. With purchased food, everything is clear - it is selected according to the age and weight of the animal. And to prepare complete homemade food for your dog, you need to use meat and dairy products, vegetables, and grains. Deficiencies in certain nutrients can have a significant impact on life expectancy.
Conditions of detention. If a mongrel lives outside, but does not freeze in the winter and feels comfortable in the summer, he will please his owners for a long time.
Animal size. Large dogs tend to live shorter lives and are more likely to develop cancer. The difficulty is that at an early age in mongrels it is difficult to determine what the adult size will be if you have not seen the puppy's parents.
Psychological background. Stress has a huge and negative impact on the lifespan of an animal. A dog, purebred or not, needs communication, love and contact with its owner. Physical punishment is absolutely unacceptable.

Regular visits to the veterinary clinic, timely vaccination and disease prevention will help increase the life of your pet. Even if it was not possible to prevent the disease, modern treatment methods can reduce the consequences to a minimum. Maintaining the physical shape of the animal is also not the least important thing. A dog living on a leash must be walked at least once every 2 days. Movement is a vital necessity for her.

Sterilizing a dog not only helps prevent unwanted offspring, but also helps avoid many genitourinary diseases. The owner has the right to decide when exactly to perform the operation. This can be done before the onset of puberty - upon reaching 6 months of age or in an adult animal.

The main factor that prolongs life, of course, remains sincere love, care and kindness. Mongrels subconsciously feel the attitude of their owners towards them and always reciprocate.

See the following video about the pros and cons of mongrels.

The pedigree of a dog is not important to everyone. Many people take their pets from the street. Mongrels are no less attached to their owner and family, and they guard the yard no less. But many people have a question: how long will a dog of noble appearance be able to delight them with his presence?

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Factors influencing the life expectancy of mongrels

The most significant factor determining the life expectancy of a yard dog is its living conditions - on the street in complete freedom from humans or at home (including life in the yard). Naturally, a dog that is under human care has every chance of living a long life and dying at a very old age.

Those dogs that walk on their own rarely die of old age. Infectious diseases, roads with heavy traffic, fights for leadership, irregular and inadequate nutrition kill the homeless much earlier than their natural time. 5–7 years is the maximum that is reached only by those who are a little “lucky” in life: for example, they found a place near the kitchen where there are leftovers of food, or found themselves in a yard with compassionate residents feeding them. On average, there are only a few mongrels over 3 years old; by this age, diseases, cars, and hunger take their toll.

During dog weddings, many animals die under the wheels of cars. Let's consider what reasons can affect the life expectancy of a dog at home:

Health. Mongrels have stronger immunity than their purebred counterparts. Life, far from being in sterile conditions, has hardened them. But if the owners of a purebred dog, for which they paid a considerable sum, do not forget to give it vaccinations, then the owners of mongrels often neglect this. And in vain, strengthening the immune system by vaccination will protect the pet from various surprises in the form of infections that the owners can bring into the house even on the soles of their shoes.
Nutrition. For some reason, it is not customary to feed yard dogs fully. It is believed that the leftovers from the host's table will be enough. And certainly no one will buy premium beef to feed their yard pet. At best, they get ready-made food, but again not of the highest quality. Sometimes they receive supplements in the form of vitamin complexes, but they can hardly compensate for the poverty of their diet. But nutrition is an important factor in determining a dog’s life expectancy.
Lifestyle. Mutts can be kept both in the yard and in the house (this does not apply to small dogs, which, of course, will not disappear in the yard, but are more susceptible to hypothermia due to physiology). With the onset of cold weather, mongrels grow thick hair, and in principle they are not afraid of the cold. But, of course, your pet should not be forced to sleep in the snow; he needs shelter from rain, heat and cold. But keeping a dog on a chain can greatly shorten a dog’s life due to lack of physical activity. To compensate such pets for their unhappy existence, they try to feed them more thoroughly. Excess weight and lack of activity can kill a dog within a couple of years.

Leashed dogs live shorter lives due to lack of physical activity

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What affects a dog's longevity?

Thus, longevity is influenced by at least seven factors, each of which is combined with others. These are the ones you should focus on - and also the average life expectancy of a particular breed . This figure is already more trustworthy, although, of course, it is also not a panacea or the ultimate truth.

Contents and diet

Proper nutrition is the key to health, not only in people, but also in animals. Feed is given:

With the right composition. For puppies there is one, for adults there is another, for old people there is a third. Pregnant females require more vitamins and calcium, castrated males require less specific nutrients. Kidney failure, liver failure, diabetes, activity level—everything is taken into account.
In the right proportion. If you give too little, the animal will be exhausted, its immunity will drop, and the will to live will disappear. If you give too much, the animal will become fat and lazy, stop playing and running, and its immunity will also decline. Feed is calculated by weight, taking into account the percentage of body fat.
Adequate quality. Lost food, which is usually fed to animals in villages, is just as harmful to them as it is to people. Cheap food damages the liver; cheap natural food does not take into account the needs of the body. The food is provided fresh, always with meat - or premium quality, if we are talking about food. Do not mix natural products and feed.

Diet is half the battle, only one side of the coin. Its second side is activity. The dog is provided with adequate exercise, this has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system, nervous system, mental state and muscle frame. They walk him according to the requirements of the breed (at least two hours a day), play, run, and provide socialization.

Additionally, the suitability of the environment for the animal is taken into account. In the hot summer, the long hair is cut off. In cold winters, short wool is covered with warm overalls. The house is maintained at a comfortable temperature.

A dog that eats properly, moves every day, does not freeze and does not suffer from the heat, will most likely live longer than those who eat incorrectly, exercise little and are negatively affected by the climate.

Read more: How long should you walk your dog?

Ecological situation

Smog-polluted air is bad for people's health—and for dogs' health, too. The owner is not able to do anything with him, but he is able to give the dog clean water, do not go with him to places where there is a lot of garbage and waste, do not allow him to pick up garbage and walk through puddles of gasoline. And also, from time to time, get out into the countryside at least for a walk, relax and breathe some truly fresh air.

Animals that live in environmentally unstable areas die earlier than those that live in clean areas.

Stress

Stress is one of the factors that causes a decline in immunity and, following it, many diseases. People often say: “All diseases are caused by nerves” and to some extent this is true. The more nervous a person or animal is, the weaker his health.

And there are a lot of reasons for stress in a dog’s life. And it’s the owner’s job to help deal with it.

Stress most often occurs as a reaction to:

Lack of human attention. Of course, it is impossible to sit with your pet for 24 hours, but you need to provide attention. To do this, during a walk, the owner does not just walk next to him, holding the leash, but interacts: teaches commands, throws a ball, praises him for his calm behavior. At home, he allows you to sit next to him, expresses approval of small everyday successes, and sometimes gets distracted from his work and strokes. Then even a dog that is left alone for most of the day will feel needed.
Punishments. You cannot hit the animal, you cannot scream, you cannot aggressively reprimand it. Punishment is needed to convey a message, and not to frighten or suppress. It must be proportionate to the offense, age and temperament of the dog, otherwise it will cause stress.
Fears. Fear attacks often occur with small dogs: they are afraid of other animals, a roaring washing machine, or a loud TV. However, even large dogs are sometimes timid in front of things common to humans. The owner must support the pet, show that there is nothing wrong, and reward him for his courage. Or help avoid the source of fear if you can’t train it.

Stress is caused by frequent moves, change of owner, quarrels between owners, the appearance of a child, puppy or kitten, and travel. Nervous dogs suffer even from loud noises.

Of course, human beings cannot prevent all this, but we can help the dog cope with stress and not let everything take its course.

A dog whose owner supports him in difficult life moments will most likely live longer than the one who copes with everything on his own.

Genetic and acquired diseases

Disease is the main reason why dogs die in general. Not everyone lives to reach a peaceful old age and die in their sleep from cardiac arrest. Most end their days early for one of the popular reasons:

Oncology. Many dogs are susceptible to cancerous tumors, but humanity has not yet learned how to treat cancer. There are breeds that are more predisposed to it, and others that are less susceptible, but many die from it.
Heart attack. A heart attack affects not only obese individuals, but also those with a weak cardiovascular system. Good prevention of heart attack is walking in the fresh air and an ECG every year.
Stroke. A cerebral hemorrhage produces the same result: death.

There are many diseases that animals suffer from. Some of them are hereditary - which is why it is important to choose a puppy from good breeders who monitor predisposition to diseases and do not cross sick parents. Part acquired due to poor nutrition, stress, lack of activity.

A healthy lifestyle is a good way to reduce the likelihood of illness, even infectious disease.

A dog who has been sick a lot in his life is likely to die earlier than one who has no predisposition to diseases.

Frequent childbirth

If we are talking about a bitch, her death will be hastened by frequent childbirth.

Despite the fact that a bitch is capable of giving birth several times a year, pregnancy is a difficult test for her body, which affects the bones, gastrointestinal tract, immunity and general endurance.

A bitch who has never given birth or only given birth a couple of times in her life will most likely live longer than a bitch of the same breed who has given birth to several litters of puppies.

Upbringing

This may seem strange, but how long a dog lives at home is also affected by how well it is raised. There is logic in this: an ill-mannered dog is more likely to break off its leash when it sees a cat, run away and get lost. More likely to fight with another animal and get injured. It will bite a person and be put to sleep. He will run out onto a busy highway without listening to his owner’s commands. It will eat the bait of dog hunters without reacting to the command “fu!”

The commands "fu!" and “come to me!” The most spoiled, smallest dog, who has never heard of any other commands, must obey unquestioningly. Because her life depends on these two.

How to extend your pet's life

In order for the mongrel to live the maximum that nature has given her, you need to follow the rules of her maintenance:

Regular veterinary examinations and timely vaccinations remain a necessity, regardless of the breed.
Regular walking, during which the dog can burn off energy. This is especially important for pets living on a leash.
Sterilization, which can be carried out both before the onset of puberty (about 6 months) and for an adult animal. The offspring of mongrels are of no value, and sterilization protects against dangerous diseases of the genital organs.

Sterilization increases the life expectancy of animals. The most important thing is the love and care of the owner. Dogs are smart enough to understand how they are treated. The feeling of uselessness provokes stress in them and shortens their lives.

I also have a dog from the street. We picked her up when she was 3-4 months old. Of course, by this time she had acquired street habits, such as a love for trash cans and an all-encompassing joy at the sight of any woman.

But otherwise, he is a very smart creature. We didn’t take her to school, she knows several commands so she can walk her safely. But he lives in a booth in the yard.

Sometimes we take him out for a walk, but we hope that there is enough space to run around in the yard - sometimes there is a column of dust (it chases the cats). Probably the only thing we did according to the rules was to get all the vaccinations and sterilize. We try to do the rest as best we can.

We consider her a member of the family, love, pet and play with her. The other day we were walking in the park and were amazed that our Bertha walked calmly on a leash and didn’t even turn an ear to the purebred dogs rushing at her with barking (from Yorkies to a beautiful German Shepherd).

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Character of the mongrel

According to reviews from owners of mongrel dogs, the character of the mongrel is not at all capricious. They quickly get used to their new place of residence and new family. Pets adapt to different conditions and withstand any difficulties.

However, the death or betrayal of a beloved owner is difficult to experience. Yard Terriers become very attached to the person who feeds and pets them. Especially if this person took a stray dog from the street and shows love and care towards it. Yard dogs are ready to do anything for their beloved owner and will faithfully serve him until the end of their days.

In general, the characteristic features of a mongrel are the following:

flexibility and devotion;
playfulness and sociability;
courage and bravery.

Experienced owners say that only East European Shepherds are more sociable than mongrels, and in playfulness, courtyard terriers are ahead of even Giant Schnauzers and Rottweilers. Outbred pets will take great pains to return a stick or ball to a person.

Mongrels get along well with other pets. Often, abandoned kittens or puppies are placed next to a nursing female, which she feeds and protects. Mutts also get along well with children: the dogs happily participate in their games and pranks.

Owner reviews

My Gerdunka lived for 17 and a half years. She was an ordinary noble breed. I still can't come to terms with the loss.

a_penguinhttps://eva. ru/static/forums/30/2005_5/333373. html Mostly people limit caring for animals to providing them with a roof over their heads, food, and companionship.

Valkirie https://www.e1.ru/talk/forum/read.php?f=74&i=145505&t=145505&I generally love mongrels more. I had a Bimka. We adopted her as a puppy and grew up with the children. She lived her dog's life to an old age. We tried to count how many years we had her. Approximately 15–16 years old. And she was smart. She understood human speech better than some people.

Military secret https://forum.moya-semya.ru/index.php?app=forums&module=forums&controller=topic&id=49247 The author of these lines had a small dog with a fluffy tail curled up, which was playful and friendly in the presence of its owners, and in the absence they sat on the porch - and even if someone tried to come into the yard. Another mongrel, a large spotted dog, was distinguished by his exquisite tastes: he would disgustingly pick out onions from food with his fingernail, as children do, and when the tulips bloomed in the yard, he would come up and smell each flower in turn. Alas, both dogs died tragically: the first was shot during a dog wedding, the second died of distemper. And each of them was mourned by the household no less than the most expensive purebred specimen.

Bim White https://otvet.mail.ru/question/183174309Mongrels are not much different from purebred dogs, except that their immunity is stronger and their tendency to hereditary pathologies is lower. Otherwise, their life expectancy depends entirely on the conditions and quality of their maintenance and nutrition.

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How long do mongrels live?

There is a point of view that mongrel dogs live longer than purebred dogs, that they are healthier and smarter, but this is a myth.

Firstly, the habitat of homeless dogs shortens the time allotted to them. The fact that the strongest puppies survive despite rain, frost and cold does not at all guarantee that they will live long. Constant deprivation will soon leave its negative mark even on the strongest organism.

Secondly, mongrels are much closer to their purebred cousins than to independent wolves. But even if this were not so, the average life expectancy of wolves is still the same 12 years.

Yes, some mongrels are more independent, they have less tendency to train, like purebreds. But if you pick up a mongrel puppy on the street, surround it with attention, love, care, then, having turned into an adult, it will not differ from noble dogs.

The only factor that can positively affect the longevity of mongrels is that natural reproduction helps to cull pathologies.

How long do mongrels live, depending on their living conditions?

high degree of heterozygosity - mongrels inherit different genes from their dissimilar parents, which increases their viability;
strict natural selection in street conditions - weak individuals die early, unable to withstand life in the street population, and stronger and more resilient ones reach reproduction.

Mongrels are dogs that do not belong to any breed. The life expectancy of purebred dogs is greatly influenced by the fact that they are crossed within the same limited variety with certain parameters, which means there is an increased risk of inbreeding - crossing of close relatives. Such situations increase homozygosity, that is, reduce the viability of individuals.

But there are also dogs who are less fortunate:

According to statistics, dogs without care and normal food live on the street for an average of 2 years.

The average life expectancy of a stray dog is 2 years. Continuous being on a chain has a bad effect on the physical and mental health of the animal.

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Factors influencing life expectancy

Pedigree is not the primary influence on a dog's life expectancy. There are a number of factors that determine how long a particular dog can live:

Dimensions of the animal. There is a general relationship - the larger the dog, the shorter its life expectancy. This is explained by the fact that a large weight creates a large load on the body; dogs of gigantic size more often suffer from diseases of the heart, joints and digestive tract. In addition, it is more difficult for a large dog to find enough food on the street.
Genetic diseases. The presence of congenital pathologies in a particular individual directly affects its life. But it is worth noting that hereditary pathologies are less common in mongrels than in purebred dogs - in the process of natural selection, animals with defective genes are eliminated, which gives mongrel dogs good health.
Food quality. Eating spoiled food, leftovers from human meals, or long periods of fasting - all this greatly shortens the life of any animal . But a complete diet that provides the mongrel with everything it needs will be a significant contribution to its longevity.
Conditions of detention. Any mongrel dog that lives in the house with its owner and is regularly walked will live no less than a purebred dog, and due to good health, probably longer. If the dog is kept outside, then it should have a warm and dry kennel in case of bad weather, as well as the opportunity to run around the area for at least several hours a day. The best option is when the dog is kept on a chain during the day and released at night to guard the territory.

The dog should have a good kennel in the yard and the opportunity to periodically be without a chain

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How to extend the life of a dog

Even if the dog is not purebred, the owner needs to properly care for it. The mongrel will have a great chance of becoming a long-liver if, in addition to a full bowl of food and a warm bed, she has:

Veterinary care. If any alarming symptoms are detected, you should contact a veterinarian - and in animals it is easier to cure the disease in its infancy than to deal with its complications.
Vaccination according to schedule. Vaccinations help protect your dog from the most dangerous infectious diseases, in particular, distemper, rabies, leptospirosis and hepatitis.
Regular flea and tick treatment. Parasites not only create discomfort for the animal, they can be carriers of dangerous diseases.

The owner of a mongrel should consider sterilizing his pet. The regular litter of outbred babies is the main reason for the increase in the population of stray animals on the street.

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Care and maintenance

Keeping and caring for a mongrel is not difficult. But a pet picked up on the street definitely needs to be examined by a veterinarian. After examination by a doctor, the animal is vaccinated, its fur and skin are treated against fleas and ticks, and it is thoroughly washed.

For a pet in an apartment or private house, determine a place that is located away from the radiator and window. Your pet should have toys, dishes for water and food, and equipment for walking and grooming.

For mongrels, procedures standard for all dogs are carried out. Short hair is brushed weekly with a special brush with metal teeth. For soft, medium to long coats, use a long-tooth comb. If your pet's hair is coarse, then it still needs to be cut or trimmed.

Teeth are brushed once a week using a special toothpaste. It will help prevent the appearance of yellow plaque, which causes tooth decay and gum problems.

The ears are cleaned at least once a week by wiping them with a cotton pad. It is moistened with ordinary warm water or Vaseline oil. If your ears are very dirty, you can use 3 percent hydrogen peroxide.

The eyes should be examined every day and wiped with a damp cloth or cotton pad. If the claws do not have time to grind down, then they are trimmed with special nail clippers.

Mutts do not need to be bathed often. 3-4 procedures per year will be enough for them. For washing, use warm water and special shampoos for dogs. After bathing, the pet must be dried and thoroughly combed.

Mongrels can be kept in an apartment or in a country house. This completely depends on their size and coat type. Some dogs can live outside in equipped enclosures.

Mongrels are energetic and active individuals, so they need walks. Especially for dogs living in an apartment. You should walk with the animal at least 2 times a day. Walking should combine jogging and games so that the pet can throw out pent-up energy.

For walks you will need a leash, and large mongrels will need a muzzle. After walking, it is important to accustom the dog to wiping with a damp cloth or washing its paws.

How long do mongrels live on the street and at home?

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Life expectancy on the street

a booth corresponding to the size of the dog;
rational nutrition;
constant access to water;
annual vaccination;
moderate physical activity.

Dogs whose habitat is the street, for the most part, have strong immunity. But the owner, in turn, should not let the animal’s life take its course and create comfortable conditions for it.

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How many years have they lived at home?

Mongrel dogs are affectionate and sociable and get along well with children. Small pets can live to a very respectable canine age - 18-20 years. Larger individuals live 5 years less.

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Long-lived breeds

Among the long-lived breeds there are no large ones, and their average lifespan is several years longer than the total of 12 for all dogs.

Long live:

Yorkshire Terriers. Furry babies are record holders when it comes to life expectancy. Their average age is 17 years, and the oldest Yorkie on record died at the age of 25.
Chuhuahua. They are also babies, and they also live a long time - 16 years on average. The oldest Chihuahua died at the age of 20.
Pomeranian Spitz. Most likely to live to be 16 years old, and the oldest died when he was 21 years old.
Dachshund. The average term is 15 years. The oldest dachshund lived to be 21 years old.
Toy poodle. Similar to its older ancestor, but much smaller, the toy poodle lives up to 15 years. The oldest died at 20.
Beagle. Lives up to 15 years on average, and the oldest beagle set a previously unthinkable record for a dog, living to 27 years.
Maltese. The tiny fluffy dog lives up to 15 years.
Pugs. Funny plump dogs live up to 15 years, and the oldest pug died at 18.

Of course, no one can guarantee that, for example, a particular pug will live exactly 15 years and not less. But if the owner tries to prolong his life, the probability will increase and become not illusory.

What factors influence the lifespan?

The lifespan of a mongrel depends on many factors. Your pet will live as long as possible if you take care of these factors from puppyhood.

Food quality. With purchased food, everything is clear - it is selected according to the age and weight of the animal. And to prepare complete homemade food for your dog, you need to use meat and dairy products, vegetables, and grains. Deficiencies in certain nutrients can have a significant impact on life expectancy.
Conditions of detention. If a mongrel lives outside, but does not freeze in the winter and feels comfortable in the summer, he will please his owners for a long time.
Animal size. Large dogs tend to live shorter lives and are more likely to develop cancer. The difficulty is that at an early age in mongrels it is difficult to determine what the adult size will be if you have not seen the puppy's parents.
Psychological background. Stress has a huge and negative impact on the lifespan of an animal. A dog, purebred or not, needs communication, love and contact with its owner. Physical punishment is absolutely unacceptable.

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How long do purebred pets live?

The lifespan of a dog at home directly depends on its breed. On average, small dogs live several years longer than their larger counterparts.

The least amount of time is allocated to giant dogs (Mastiffs, Mastiffs and others). These breeds have many genetic characteristics and a large load on the skeleton and heart. Most often, their limit is 10-12 years.

But don’t despair and deny yourself the dream of having a giant pet. Good care will allow them to get the most out of life and possibly live several years longer than usual.

It should be remembered that although small dogs live longer, their nervous system is very excitable. Some breeds are very susceptible to stress and can die from fright (for example, Chihuahuas, Yorkshire terriers).

The life expectancy of some breeds can be seen in the table below. If you have not found the breed you are interested in, write to us in the comments and we will answer you immediately.

The Irish Wolfhound is one of the largest dogs in the world.

Breed	Average number of years
Irish Wolfhound	6-8
Newfoundland	6-8
German dog	7-8
English bulldog	8-10
Mastiff	8-10
Saint Bernard	8-10
Shar Pei	9-11
Basset Hound	9-11
Caucasian Shepherd Dog	9-11
Rottweiler	9-12
Chow chow	9-12
Giant Schnauzer	10-11
Bulldog	10-12
Boxer	10-12
Airedale	10-12
Golden retriever	10-12
Doberman	10-13
Dalmatian	10-13
English Spaniel	10-14
West Siberian Laika	10-14
Husky	10-15
German Shepherd	10-14
Bull Terrier	11-14
Akita Inu	11-15
Labrador	12-13
Dachshund	12-17
Toy Terrier	12-14
Cocker Spaniel	12-15
Collie	12-15
Yorkshire Terrier	14-16
Poodle	12-17
Chinese Crested	13-15
Dogo Argentino	13-15
Pug	13-15
Chihuahua	15-17
Spitz dwarf	15-17
Maltese	18-20

The Maltese is a dog with a long lifespan.