How many years do dogs live and what does it depend on?

When planning to get a dog, any sensible person will certainly take an interest in the average life span of four-legged friends. Unfortunately, a dog's life is rather short, but every caring and loving owner can partly influence its duration. In the article, we will consider how many years dogs live, what factors determine their lifespan, and also how you can extend the life of an animal.

Life expectancy in mammals is known to be closely related to body size and brain size. The larger the brain and the more solid the complexion, the longer the life span is measured for the body. For example, elephants live for about 70 years (there are cases when these animals lived up to 80 years or more). Paradoxically, this condition does not work in the case of dogs. Practice shows that dogs of large breeds live much less than their smaller counterparts. In some cases, this difference is twofold.

An illustrative example of the above is the life expectancy of representatives of one of the largest dog breeds - Great Danes. They live much less than their counterparts of different breeds. According to observations, the average life span of the Great Dane is 6.5 to 8 years. For comparison, the Pomeranian, Shih Tzu, Chihuahua, Toy Poodle, Yorkshire Terrier and Jack Russell Terrier are considered the most long-lived breeds.

Representatives of the canine family, whose life expectancy is extremely short, are mainly giant dogs: Irish wolfhound, Danish broholmer, English mastiff, Tibetan mastiff, St. Bernard, Spanish and Pyrenean mastiff, Newfoundland. In most cases, their short life is due to a genetic predisposition to serious diseases and pathologies. Among such diseases and disorders, the most often noted are:

• dysplasia of the joints (most often hip);
• obesity;
• endocrine disorders (hypothyroidism);
• cardiovascular diseases;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• volvulus;
• ophthalmic diseases leading to blindness;
• oncological processes and malignant neoplasms.

Table: Comparative data on life expectancy of different breeds

The higher life expectancy of yard dogs is largely due to the harsh conditions of existence of street animal populations. In simple terms, during the time that the flock exists in its natural habitat (in particular, on the street or in the wild), there is a gradual elimination of sick and weak individuals. Due to such natural selection, the most healthy, viable representatives remain in the flock, capable of leaving behind just as strong and hardy offspring. Besides, the life span of a dog largely depends not on its breed, but on its belonging to pedigree breeds, in general... It is known for certain that mongrel dogs live much longer than their purebred relatives. This feature is due to the fact that in the process of breeding a certain breed, breeders and zoologists use closely related animal species, which further determines their genetic defects, predisposition to certain diseases.

However, in mongrel dogs, genetic diseases and disorders are often detected, which are also explained by closely related mixing of blood... It is noteworthy that genetic mutations among outbred animals can negatively affect both their health and psyche.

Nevertheless, veterinary studies show that mongrel dogs are less likely to suffer from genetic and acquired diseases than their pedigree counterparts. They have stronger immunity, endurance and adaptability to life in the wild. Moreover, it has been established that, living at home, the mongrels of less thoroughbred relatives need care, they endure illness and injury more easily and with the least damage to themselves.

The lifespan of any dog ​​(both purebred and mongrel) depends on a number of numerous factors. The most significant of them are:

• heredity;
• Lifestyle;
• conditions of detention;
• diet and menu;
• stress factors and mental stability;
• features of upbringing;
• delivery frequency (for bitches).

The hereditary factor is one of the most significant in terms of the life expectancy of any animal. Regardless of whether the dog is purebred or purebred, a genetic predisposition to certain diseases due to heredity has a colossal significance in the length of its life.

Most pedigree (and most often large) dogs usually show serious problems with the musculoskeletal system, cardiovascular, respiratory and endocrine systems. In outbred animals, the influence of this factor cannot be determined with maximum reliability.

The lifespan of an animal largely depends on its lifestyle. Moreover, it must correspond not only to the temperament, but also to the physiological characteristics of the dog. So, forcibly forcing a phlegmatic and heavy Great Dane to regularly endure exorbitant and prolonged physical activity, you can provoke an exacerbation of serious diseases in a dog or create a risk of developing irreversible joint problems.

but keeping moving and active dogs at home, one cannot but devote time to their full physical unloading. Laikas, Shepherds, Large Pomeranians - all these breeds need regular expenditure of energy, which they should spend on walks or playing with other animals. By limiting the mobility of such dogs, the owner can provoke in them the development of obesity and, as a result, the occurrence of problems with joints, heart and blood vessels, as well as metabolism.

To a large extent, the life span of a dog depends on the conditions of its keeping. Thus, it is known that animals kept on the street (on a chain, without an insulated booth) live much less than their counterparts living in a warm house or apartment. A dog living on the street (on a chain or free-range) is more at risk of not only developing dangerous diseases, but also the likelihood of injury and damage.

Large animals kept in a city apartment deserve special attention. A dog that needs movement and free space will constantly experience severe discomfort.

A big mistake is made by the owners who feed their dog with leftovers from the home table. But those who often and thoughtlessly indulge their pet with forbidden "goodies" - sweets and delicacies that can cause allergies, also put the health of the animal at risk.

Violations of the diet and an incorrectly compiled menu of an animal are frequent and rather popular reasons for the reduction in its life expectancy. It should not be forgotten that a dog is by nature a predator. In their natural habitat, the main component of the diet of all predators is meat - the basic source of proteins and essential amino acids. However, it is impossible to build the diet of a domestic dog on sources of animal protein alone. The menu should also contain carbohydrates, which provide the dog with energy, and fats, which play an important role in the normal functioning of the internal organs and systems of the animal's body.

When planning a pet dog's diet, it is extremely important to consider the balance between sources of protein, carbohydrates and fats. Here it is necessary to take into account the temperament of the animal, its lifestyle, the average consumption of its energy during the day.

Just like all humans, dogs are vulnerable to stressors. Moreover, the size of the animal and its breed do not matter here. However, much in this respect depends on the stability of the dog's psyche.

It has long been noticed that dogs are capable of acutely experiencing separation from the owner, longing, suffering and even falling into depressionNS. Pets that spend a significant amount of time with the same person are most susceptible to this.

The most unstable psyche, as observations show, are possessed by dogs of small breeds - Chihuahuas, Toy Terriers, Pinschers. A stronger psyche, in turn, is characteristic of phlegmatic and calm dogs. As a rule, these are representatives of large breeds - German shepherds, Rottweilers, St. Bernards, Great Danes.

This factor is directly related to the safety of the animal while walking or free walking. With insufficient upbringing, the dog easily neglects the commands of the owner, sometimes demonstratively does not obey him. Such representatives of the canine family have a very high chance of death - for example, under the wheels of a car or in a collision with stronger relatives.

Professional breeders who breed purebred dogs argue that the frequency of birth largely determines the life span of a bitch. Often, unscrupulous owners of thoroughbred animals, trying to earn as much as possible on the offspring of their pets, abuse frequent and sometimes unnecessary mating. Considering that every pregnancy is the strongest stress for the dog's body, it can be seriously argued that frequent bearing of offspring and subsequent births lead to a reduction in the life of the bitch.

It should be noted that too frequent mating has an adverse effect on the health of males. Purebred dogs, exposed to excessively frequent mating, begin to lose strength, weaken and get sick. The body of such animals wears out and ages earlier. And besides, such dogs with each new and unwanted mating give less quality and viable offspring.

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Based on a number of the factors listed above, you can derive a list of conditions that can prolong the life of a dog. It depends on aspects such as:

• correct diet;
• adequate conditions of detention;
• regular and feasible physical activity;
• regular intellectual training and training;
• elimination and neutralization of stress factors;
• elimination of factors that can cause dangerous situations;
• correct mating frequency.

In addition, competent and regular care, tireless monitoring of the health of the animal and the timely provision of professional veterinary care are of great importance in the question of a dog's life expectancy. Only a truly caring owner is able to ensure the fulfillment of all these conditions.

For how many years dogs live, see the next video.