June 16th, 2010
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The average lifespan of a dog is around 12 years. But it can differ greatly depending on breed and size. Small dogs generally live longer than large dogs – the Toy Poodle lives around 14 years and the Pekingese around 13 years. The larger breeds live shorter lives on average with the Doberman Pinscher living around nine years and the Old English Sheepdog around 11.
These differences are partly due to size – the larger a dog, usually the shorter his life – and also to the reasons a breed was created. For instance, a dog that was bred purely for companionship is likely to live a long life while a dog bred for fighting, such as the Pit Bull, sadly isn’t likely to live nearly as long. Kelly is a pet writer. She lives in the Boston area with her three pit bulls and one neurotic cat. |
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My Yorkie lived to be 18 1/2 years old despite many serious health problems.
I think a lot of it has to do with diet, exercise and general health care as well. I have a 10 1/2 year old German Shepherd in great health – she eats high quality food, gets daily walks, and has routine vet care. I think this has a lot to do with her general health. She does have some arthritis and has had hip dysplasia issues since 6 months old, but it is under control, and she’s a happy, healthy dog.
I had Pekingese and they all (9) lived to 16. A Cocker Spaniel, 21, and I now have 3 Shar-Pei, 1 who will be 13 in July, and 2 girls aged 9.
I have 5 dogs, the oldest is a black cocker spaniel that will be 19 on July 3.
Also, chihuahuas can live up to 20 years.
I feel that animals live long because they know that they are loved with respect in the years my husband and I have been married. (29yrs) we adopted all of them. one of our dogs lived until she was 17 just a mix (hines 57) our two dobies we just had to put down this past yea.r our female 11 yrs of bone cancer and our male of 12 yrs of just old age. we have one more blck lab mix he is 10 this yrs and his hips are starting to hurt him. i do have a small
terr, mix and she is 13 this year and show no signs of slowing up. we still have a pit bull mix more mix than pit
he is 5 this year and not to for get our 4 mini doxie’s.
all of them are under 5. we adopted all them too. all from different places. they needed homes.
our dogs get plenty of play time about 3/5 hrs a day.
all my dogs also live the house they are not out side dogs.
we do buy store bought dry dog food (pedigree) and we make all our own treats. they also get natural bones to
chew on. I do all my own shots and wormings. NO VETS if possible.
With that being said, my dogs live longer than the average. I think WE are doing pretty good with love and respect that makes them live a full life.
I really resent this supposedly knowledgeable person saying that pitbulls are bred for fighting. That simply is not true and – once again – gives these wonderful dogs a bad rap. Pitties are exceptionally wonderful, kind and caring dogs. It is a few stupid and cruel owners who cause the problems. PLEASE – stop perpetuating this myth that pitties are bred for fighting. Do your research before making such broad statements.
I have to agree with Susan. No matter what the original intention of breeding pit bulls was in the beginning, so long ago, what matters is now.
Pit bulls are awesome dogs, so loyal and caring.
When and IF an owner is training their pit bull to fight in illegal fights, that is a crime.
Responsible owners will find the breed a great dog to have in their lives.
Don’t hate the breed, hate those owners that want to make money off of illegal fighting rings.
My beloved Neil has been a constant companion for about seven and a half yeas. He ‘smostly of not pure St. Bernard. He was over 7 when he came to me as a rescue. He was a bad gdoggie. He had buitten his way through a complee family. He had attacked “His little girl ” Twice and her mother, my vet had had enough. He wa to be put down but, still wraped in the bandages of the last attack, the little girl begged her omother to find hmi anothrer home. He has goten me twice since he cam to me. Both times because I got between him and another dog in a fight. But I understand that they were fighting; he wasn’t biting me. He’s now well over 15 and has gone blind. He lies in teh sun all day nd sleeps next to my bed every night
WE live in a perfect climate for dogs – 60s at hinght, 70sduring th day.
Ue gets gpd food every day and gret vet care. I’ve asked the vet to keep and eye/ear open for a St. puppy looking for a home.
I win’t outlive any more of my babies ButI m prepaingt hem for my demise.
I am Feeling Sometimes things happen for a reason and this is true love of the divisions as well. It’s your chance to fight for what you want and learn Como Reconquistar a Una Mujer who has lost.
The dog was bred first to bait bulls and bears. When baiting bulls was deemed inhumane, ratting, a sport where a number of rats were placed in a pit for a specified time with the dog, and dog fighting became more popular. The APBT was used in both sports, and its prevalence in being put in pits with rats led to ‘pit’ being added to its name. With time, the dogs became more commonly used as house pets due to their friendliness towards people. In America, farmers and ranchers used their APBTs for protection, as catch dogs for semi-wild cattle and hogs, to hunt, and to drive livestock.The dog was used during World War I and World War II as a way of delivering messages on the battlefield.
I do see Kelly has 3 pit bulls to her credit, but this is the worst dog tip I have ever read (and my first from dogster). Not looking forward to the rest….it’s like she had a required number of words to fill her “tip” (toy poodle living 14 years and pekingese 13 years) she could have named more breeds and said “an average of blah-blah years). She did not state why the life span difference between small and large breeds AND why on earth a “dog bred for fighting” (which is untrue – see my above post) would live an even shorter life….I open my email and take time to read and I find this garbage!
Most small breeds enjoy a longer life than their larger
cousins, but breeding, diet & quality of life are the best
way to lengthen any dogs life! My last beagle beat the
13 yr mark by nearly 3 1/2 yrs & Pops beag Rufus is
over 14 & still going strong! An overlooked fact is that
even though a dog can “hold it” for several hours w/o a
bathroom break, they will live longer if given the option
of a dog door to a secure yard!
Get used to it (the low quality of advice observations here) …. that small breeds live longer (on average) than larger breeds is generally accepted…. but it takes a “pet writer” like Modzelewski, I guess, to let us know that the “original purpose” for which the dog was bred is also a determining factor…. geesh….. as my favorite Stooge used to say, “What a maroon!”
Our boxer Cody just passed last month after turning 7 yrs. old. He died of lymphoma & canine water diabetes complications. This hit hard & fast, even on treatment. He was gone in 3 months.
Cody was fed Flint River Ranch all his life. Has had vet exams twice yearly. Current with all his shots, on Revolution. A healthy weight, active, exercised & a just a great dog. Shared his yard with 2 others. Cody was our first. He was taken from us too early. http://www.dogster.com/family/117711
We Miss You Cody,
Mommy, Daddy, Aubrey, Mackenzie & Rocco
Wow, love and care and sometimes unfortunate happenings also contribute to the life of any pet. Just take the Dogage Test, wait, first take the one for HUMANS, then you know what kind of life span your babies will have.
I don’t need to elaborate, but she kind of says things at times, that I just don’t like and or agree with. What makes her the one to give advice anyway?
I guess I should add that I am sure she loves her three pit bulls and one neurotic cat, but do not think she always makes sense or gives good tips. lol And why pray tell is her cat neurotic? Maybe we should give her some tips????
My advice to the cat and all three dogs:
RUN!
(LOL)
“For instance, a dog that was bred purely for companionship is likely to live a long life while a dog bred for fighting, such as the Pit Bull, sadly isn’t likely to live nearly as long.”
Seriously? This is a dog “tip?” You’re right, Kelly. If we force our dogs to rip each other part in felonious acts, then yeah, they might not live as long.
I agree that this is a horrible tip. Tell us WHY our larger dogs live shorter lives and WHAT we can do to help. And don’t state the obvious.
I am an R.N.,and therefore have somewhat of a scienctific mindset, and I am totally convinced that love can add to a pet’s longevity, barring diseases and such. I have a 13 year old lab mix and the vet is amazed at his abilities. I had a 13 year old shepard mix as well. Maybe I am just lucky. But I think it’s my love and need for them that keeps them hanging on. Aren’t they truely God’s gift? Peace.
I don’t like that the author had to use a pit bull fir a fighting breed you didn’t have to add the breed just say fighting dogs …. Poor pit bulls always misunderstood and I do own pit bulls!!!!!