Lifespan Of Dogs By Breeds And The Reasons Why

Lifespan Of Dogs By Breeds And The Reasons Why

Dogs always known to be man’s best friend. Unfortunately, the lifespan of dogs tend to be shorter than their owners. Although different breeds of dogs have different average life expectancies, it still varies depending on factors such as size, age, weight and overall health.

In this article, we will be discussing the average lifespan of different dog breeds as well as other factors that could affect their lifespan.

The following table shows the average life expectancy for the most popular dog breeds:

Table showing the average lifespan of dogs according to their breeds.

Factors Attributing To The Lifespan Of Dogs

Breed(s)

Pure breeds also known as inbreds. Most people believe that purebred dogs are better but, believe it or not, purebred dogs actually have a shorter lifespan than mixed breed dogs. 

Why? You may ask. It is solely due to the fact that inbred dogs are at a higher risk of carrying illnesses that are encoded in their genes. These illnesses are often ones that are specific to the particular dog breed.

However, why do mixed breed dogs have a longer lifespan? This is because most mixed breed dogs have a larger genetic diversity than purebred dogs.

If you are thinking of getting another canine companion, you can find out more about the different dog breeds here!

Spaying & Neutering

A dog at the vet clinic getting checked.

Did you know that spaying and neutering can help lower the risk of some types of cancer, such as uterine, ovarian and prostate cancer?

Despite the above mentioned, you should always consult your veterinarian opinion before deciding to spay or neuter your pooch. Although, it is good to spay or neuter your puppies at a relatively young age, before 5 months of age for small breed dogs and 12 to 15 months for large breed dogs. It is still important to seek your vet’s opinion as every dog’s neutering appropriate age could vary depending on their breed, weight and current health.

Size

A german shepherd and dachshund sitting side by side.

On average, larger dogs have a shorter life expectancy than smaller breed dogs. While there are studies that indicate different reasons for the shorter lifespan, the main reason would be faster ageing. Moreover, due to accelerated growth, they are more prone to health issues such as developmental disorders, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal diseases and tumours.

Referring to the table in the previous section, we can infer that smaller breed dogs like dachshunds have an average lifespan of 13 to 15 years. However, large breed dogs like German Shepherd have an average lifespan of 8 to 10 years.

Proper Care

A dog playing catch in the field.

Like humans, overall better health care would ensure a longer lifespan. Hence, dogs receiving proper nutritional diets and exercise are expected to live longer. Other than proper care, you should also bring your pooch on regular health check-ups at a licensed vet. In addition to a healthy diet and exercise, vaccinations and booster shots may help prolong your dog’s life.

How To Prolong The Lifespan Of Dogs?

Spay or Neuter Your Pets

Like we have mentioned in the about section, spaying or neutering can help improve the quality of your pooch’s life. On average, studies have shown that spayed or neutered dogs tend to live an average of a year and a half more. Despite the benefits that surround spaying or neutering, it is always good to consult your veterinarian before deciding.

Diet & Exercise

Dogs are natural-born hunters, they are very active and a proper amount of exercise daily can benefit them in the long run. While exercising is important, a healthy diet is also relatively important to your dog’s health.

Read more here to discover some of the important vitamins and supplements your dog needs to maintain a good overall health!

Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Dog Casino Interactive Dog Toy that can help with mental stimulation.
Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Dog Casino Interactive Dog Toy

Exercising can help both your dog’s physical and mental health. They need to exercise regularly to maintain optimal physical health. Keeping them in isolation, preventing them from running about will make them anxious and depressed. Hence, it is important to provide them with the appropriate amount of active time. In addition, you could further improve their mental health by providing them interactive toys. The aforementioned could help with mental stimulation, keeping them alert and active.

Furthermore, sticking to healthy and nutritious foods while limiting treats and snacks would benefit them too. Do not give your dog table scraps and make sure to completely avoid any foods that are unhealthy and toxic for dogs.

Read more here to learn more about the benefits of walking your dogs!

Regular Wellness Appointments

A puppy getting his regular health checkup with the vet.

Annual routine wellness exams can help prolong your dog’s life. Veterinarians are trained to detect early signs of illness. They would be able to advise you on the best overall health plan for your dog. Not only that, you should also make sure that your dog receives the necessary vaccinations for disease prevention. You should consider discussing options such as flea, tick and heart worm prevention.

Read here to learn more about how you can prevent flea & ticks in both cats and dogs!

If your pet is showing any signs of illness, consult your vet immediately. Preventive care is the key to a longer lifespan!

In addition, to keep your dog healthy, you should brush their teeth and help trim their nails regularly. Proper hygiene goes hand-in-hand with good health.

Love And Nurture Your Dogs!

The more love and affection you bestow on your dog, the happier they will be. Happy pets tend to live longer than those who are neglected, anxious or depressed.

Read here to learn how to deal with anxiety in dogs!

If you follow the above advice, your pet should have a long and happy life. Refer to the charts to see the average life expectancy of your dog via dog breed!