How long do dogs live at home: table by breed

Average life expectancy of dogs

In the wild, animals rarely die of old age. Pets are luckier in this regard, because what owner wouldn’t want his faithful friends to live a long life. The hard truth is that dogs age faster than people. If we average out all the various factors that influence how long they live on average, we get uninspiring numbers - 10-13 years. Is this a reason not to get a pet? No, because there are breeds that live longer.

Calculation of a dog's age relative to a human

Interested in calculating how old your puppy would be if he were human? A dog's body, surrounded by good care, develops faster than a human's. It doesn’t matter whether the puppy is outbred or taken from an expensive shelter, where its entire pedigree up to the ninth generation is listed:

The table shows that a dog is formed during the first year and a half of its life. A small puppy, twelve months old, is actually a fourteen-year-old teenager. When your pet reaches the age of twenty, you can safely consider him your peer. Ten dog years are equivalent to 65 human years. Twelve-year-old pets are considered long-lived, and a sixteen-year-old dog is almost nine decades old.

How can you extend your pet's life?

If it seems that you need to make significant efforts to keep your beloved dog by your side for a long, long time, then this is not so. Nothing supernatural, no magic.

Read and learn how to take care of your pet and not worry about how many years the dog will live at home:

1. The very first thing you need to think about at the stage of choosing a pet is the breed. If you are a busy person, then you do not need to buy a puppy of a breed that is very attached to its owners and wants to spend a lot of time with them. For example, the Entlebucher Sennehund will suffer greatly from a lack of owner's attention. It is also wrong to get a husky or shepherd dog for people who spend most of their time at home within four walls and do not like outdoor games.

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2. They will also learn about proper nutrition and the general regime of keeping the breed before they bring the puppy into the house: you need to be completely prepared for the lifestyle with a dog.

You also need to study articles on the issues of keeping an animal, the composition of food products, and the duration of walks.

3. The owners themselves visit doctors, our smaller brothers also need a specialist. You should not think that people only contact a veterinarian with a problem that has already arisen. You should visit the clinic as a preventive measure once a year. The dog will be tested, all health indicators will be checked and a problem will be identified at an early stage if one arises.

4. Disease prevention is the responsibility of the owner. It’s easy to prevent the appearance of tartar; just brush your dog’s teeth regularly. In order to prevent joint diseases from appearing, the claws are trimmed once every two weeks, and walking is done where there is soft soil that will not harm the paws.

Colds are also prevented by dressing the dog in warm overalls in winter. Ticks are prevented from bringing ear diseases by cleaning the pet’s ears and treating it with antiparasitic agents for preventive purposes.

In the summer, the dog should have clean water and a haircut in hot weather.

Concerns also include timely vaccination and avoidance of walking on dog parks during periods of epidemics.

What does life expectancy depend on?

A genetically healthy purebred dog can live longer than indicated in various veterinary reference books and books. It all comes down to a number of key factors. The life expectancy of our four-legged friends is greatly influenced by nutrition, pet size, genetic predisposition, lifestyle, proper treatment and prevention of diseases, pregnancy, and stressful conditions. A proper understanding of these factors will add more than one year to your pet's life expectancy on average.

Nutrition

Healthy nutrition is the key to your pet's health. It’s not just people who need to maintain the balance of food and drink, the dog also needs to be fed properly. Choose high-quality, proven food for him, which includes natural meat. A variety of vitamins, micro- and macroelements will not be superfluous in the diet. Strictly adhere to the feeding regime: feed in portions and at a certain time. This will minimize the possibility of excess weight and prolong your pet's life.

Dog size

It has been proven that the life expectancy of small breed dogs is slightly higher than their large relatives. There is no such pattern in the wild - the larger the animal, the longer it grows, develops and lives. This is associated with specific genetic diseases. For example, a dachshund, lapdog or Yorkshire terrier will live, on average, 12-17 years, and an Irish wolfhound, English bulldog and Great Dane - 10-13. The difference is very significant, approximately one and a half times. This is worth paying attention to when choosing a four-legged friend.

Genetic predisposition

Complex selection doomed large breeds to a short lifespan. There are a number of diseases (genitourinary system and heart) to which specific breeds are susceptible. “Dirty” heredity will only aggravate the situation, so good breeders carefully monitor the selection of individuals who participate in breeding. Owners should not allow the birth of puppies from closely related relationships - the physiological capabilities of these puppies will be severely limited.

Lifestyle

A healthy lifestyle is a necessary condition for a dog’s longevity. Physical activity is important for an animal, especially at a young age. An evening or morning walk in the fresh air is not needed for your friend to relieve himself. Active walks also provide psychological comfort for the pet, in addition to physical satisfaction.

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Proper treatment and prevention

Visit your veterinarian regularly to minimize the incidence of chronic diseases. Annual vaccination will protect your pet from infectious diseases. Castration is an important part of disease prevention. You should not abandon this procedure if the dog is not involved in breeding. The fact is that the uncontrolled release of hormones has a depressing effect on the psyche and brain function of the animal as a whole. Consult your veterinarian regularly.

Pregnancy

From a physiological point of view, pregnancy and motherhood do not have a significant impact on canine health. The fact of the presence or absence of a period of motherhood in the life of an animal will in no way affect the life expectancy, nor will it affect the percentage of the likelihood of the formation of mammary gland tumors. Childbirth, on the contrary, is fraught with all sorts of troubles: caesarean section, neurotic state of the bitch, and the like. However, this rarely happens and you should not give up the idea of ​​having puppies.

Stressful conditions

It is very difficult for dogs to live in dysfunctional families. These animals by nature become attached to humans and they need your reciprocity to live a full life. Spend a lot of time with your pet, walk, play, train. Be a good friend to the dog - it will help him live longer. Being in a stressful situation, on the contrary, will lead to disorders and the development of heart disease.
Do not shout at the animal or leave it in an unfamiliar environment.

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.

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.

How many years do dogs live at home?

The lifespan of a dog depends on the breed. There is an unspoken rule - the smaller the dog, the longer it will live. It is worth paying attention to breed-specific diseases. If it is bred using the method of long-term selection, this is accompanied by a disease characteristic only of this type of dog; but mongrels, unlike their purebred relatives, almost never encounter this. The only thing that can shorten a mongrel's lifespan is street diseases or injuries.

Thoroughbred

When purchasing a noble puppy, find a trusted breeder and inquire about the genetics of this type. Diseases of the family tree are often hidden, but diseases specific to the breed can be found on the Internet, and then have your pet examined by a veterinarian for heredity. If everything is in order and the genetics are pure, the dog will live as long as is typical for his breed, without taking into account diseases.

How long do mongrels live?

There is a popular misconception that mongrel dogs live longer than purebred dogs. If you compare a mongrel puppy and a purebred puppy with decent immunity and pure genetics, they will live approximately the same (depending on its breed). If we take statistics, mongrels really serve their owners longer, because good genetics in a noble dog is very rare. Only the most famous breeders can boast of the purity of the animal breed.

Life expectancy with illnesses

Heart disease is the most common pathology in domestic dogs. Heart failure is second on the list of diseases that kill pets. Cancer comes first.

The following breeds have a high predisposition to acquiring these diseases:

• Saint Bernards;
• Newfoundlands;
• Great Danes;
• orange spitz.

Note! The listed breeds live less than 10 years. The first symptoms of the disease appear at the age of 2-3 years.

Long-lived dogs

Among some breeds there are real long-lived dogs. What this means is that, other things being equal, a collie, for example, will live longer than, say, a boxer or a great dane. If you have not yet decided on a dog breed, but want your future pet to live with you for ten, fifteen, or even thirty years, pay attention to the breeds listed below.

Dachshund

The most famous and friendly hunting breed. The dachshund, despite its appearance, is a courageous, courageous, serious, purposeful and independent dog. These funny little guys live up to 17 years on average, but sometimes reach the 20-year mark. The main “danger zone” is a long spine, problems with intervertebral discs are possible; tend to become overweight, especially as they begin to age. These problems can be prevented by balanced exercise and a healthy diet.

Yorkshire Terrier

Representatives of this, at first glance, small and weak decorative breed live on average 14-16 years, which is longer than huskies. The Yorkshire Terrier weighs 2-3 kilograms, but it is not fragile - they were previously used to exterminate rats. This fact does not prevent their owners from decorating their pets with all kinds of bows and ribbons. The diseases to which Yorkies are susceptible are caused by “smallness.” This list includes non-overgrowth of the fontanel, cryptorchidism, Perthes disease, distichiasis.

Beagle

An active and smart beagle will not let its owner get bored. These cheerful and noisy pets live an average of 15 years. They have a good appetite, especially in adolescence (they eat whenever they see food), so it is important not to overfeed. Obesity will not benefit the Beagle. Epilepsy is relatively common, but it can be successfully treated.

Typical diseases of beagles are boils, glaucoma, and cataracts. Due to the long, flexible ears, the inner cavity does not receive sufficient ventilation, which will lead to infections. So-called “reverse sneezing” may occur. It looks as if the animal cannot breathe; in reality, air passes through the dog's mouth and nose, and this is not harmful at all.

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Boston Terrier

This funny dog ​​was bred in America, and since 1979 it has been approved as the symbol of the state of Massachusetts. Belongs to the group of decorative dogs and companion dogs. Gets along easily with children and pets. The Boston Terrier can live up to 14 years without suffering from serious illness. A distinctive feature is their large eyes, which can easily be damaged by the sun, wind or debris. To prevent this, the Boston Terrier Club recommends purchasing a special protective cap.

Pug

This cute decorative dog has been kept with the nobility for a long time. The aristocrats of Ancient China must have been captivated by their huge dark eyes and funny face. Pugs also have more objective advantages - they live on average 15 years. They have a cheerful and balanced character, are strongly attached to their owner, and are “noble.”

Due to the specific structure of their muzzle, pugs have difficulty withstanding heat. Carefully monitor the feeding of pugs - they are prone to overeating, and obesity will negatively affect their lifespan . Also try to provide the pug with a good workout - they have a lot of muscle mass, so muscle atrophy is fraught with serious consequences. A pug needs an informed and responsible owner.

Chihuahua

This is the smallest known breed. There is a rule that the smaller the dog, the longer it lives. Dog experts unanimously recognize Chihuahuas as long-livers. They often live to be 18 years old; They can boast of amazingly good health, a high level of intelligence, and a courageous and lively disposition. This breed occupies an important place in the history of dog breeding.

Treat your Chihuahua responsibly and it will not get sick. Remember that Chihuahuas come from warm Mexico and have a hard time in the cold. Make sure that she doesn’t get too cold; fortunately, there are many different types of clothes for warming your pet. Occasionally, Chihuahuas have dental problems—the baby teeth may not fall out on their own. If you do not remove them in time, your bite will deteriorate. Chihuahuas are also prone to allergies, which manifest themselves in the form of rashes and hair loss. Keep an eye on this so that you can take action in time.

Labrador

Almost all long-lived dogs are small breeds. Labrador is breaking out of this trend. An animal weighing about 40 kg and a height at the withers of 55 cm lives on average 12-14 years. Perhaps this is why Labrador is the most popular breed all over the world. His kind, cheerful character also played an important role in such popularity. Labrador is a wonderful companion that will accompany you both on walks and on hunts.

As Labradors get older, they may develop hip problems. It wears out quickly. Carefully monitor the condition of the animal’s hind legs, because Labradors are overly active, for them movement is life. They need long (two-hour) walks, all kinds of games, activities, otherwise they will quickly gain weight, especially if they are fed excessively.

Sheltie

Known as the Scottish Sheepdog, it is often called a dwarf collie, but this opinion is erroneous and refers to herding breeds. He interacts well with children, is highly trainable, has high intelligence and is of average size (from 6.5 to 12 kg). Due to the fact that she previously lived independently and appeared without the influence of people, she is adapted to owners who previously did not have a pet or did not raise one. Shelties are naturally inclined to protect their owners and watch over children. Sheltie life expectancy is 12-13 years.

Miniature Schnauzer

Another name for the breed is “miniature schnauzer.” These dogs can often be found among people who wanted a pet, but the size of their home does not allow them to have a large pet. The breed has an excellent sense of smell, for which it has become famous among the police (searching for drugs or weapons). Despite its compact size (about 7 kg), it is an excellent watchman and protector, senses the owner’s mood and has a keen sense of smell. Life expectancy is from 12 to 16 years.

Shih Tzu

Shih Tzu is translated as “little lion”. The breed comes from Tibet and originated more than 8000 BC, which automatically makes it one of the oldest in the world. Its compact size is ideal for keeping in an apartment, and its gentle character and high intelligence allow the Shih Tzu to live in a home with children and other pets. The cost of a puppy varies from $150-740, so this pleasure is expensive, but Shih Tzus live from 10 to 16 years.