How Long Do Dogs Live?

Before getting a dog, or if you already have one, you may have a few questions about a dog’s life expectancy. There are various types of dog breeds, and they all have different life spans. The size of a dog could also determine its life span. The care accorded to your dog could also determine how long your dog will live. Various factors affect how long a dog lives. Our copy will address some of the most frequently asked questions and provide more information on some of the factors that contribute to the life expectancy of a dog. 

Factors that Determine the Life Expectancy of a Dog

As aforementioned, various factors determine a dog’s lifespan. While there are factors you can change or improve to ensure you enhance your dog’s life expectancy, other factors are constant, and so you have no control over them. Listed below are factors that determine the average lifespan of a dog and tips on how you can enhance your dog’s life span and ensure that they lead a happy and healthy life.

Spaying and Neutering

As The Humane Society states, when you spay or neuter a puppy, it can affect its life span positively [1]. Please do this before they are five months for smaller dogs, and for bigger dog breeds, twelve to fifteen months is appropriate. 

According to studies, spaying and neutering dogs can significantly reduce your dog’s chances of getting certain types of cancer. Especially those that affect the testicles, breast, and ovaries. For example, if a Yorkshire terrier female dog does not get bred or spayed, they are more likely to get cancer. The cancer is likely caused by hormonal imbalance because they were not bred or spayed. Some male dogs are also likely to get testicular cancer if they are not bred.

Size

According to research, smaller dogs live for a more extended period compared to larger dogs. For instance, a Jack Russell Terrier that rougly weighs fifteen pounds and has an average lifespan of thirteen to sixteen years, while an Irish wolfhound, which roughly weighs one hundred and fifteen pounds, has an average lifespan of seven years.

Cross Breeding VS. Inbreeding

Cross-breed dogs tend to live longer than inbred dogs. Inbreeding could reduce a dog’s average lifespan. Inbreed dogs have a higher chance of getting genetic diseases that are only common to their breed. Whereas on the other hand, dogs that are cross-bred live longer and have fewer health problems. However, it is crucial to learn about your dog’s pedigree line before you consider cross-breeding. You can always get a dog DNA test if you are not sure about your dog’s breed.

A Good Life

Living a good life could contribute to your dog having a happy and long life span. If your dog has a comfortable life, they experience less stress, and just like humans, dogs thrive when they are not in stressful environments. So if you would like your dog to live a long life, ensure that they are well cared for. You can do this by feeding them well, taking them out for walks, and making sure that they frequently visit the veterinary for a checkup.

Emotional Connection and Mental Stimulation

Just like humans, our dogs also need to feel loved and well taken care of [1]. Ensuring that you have an emotional bond with your dog and letting them interact with other pets makes them happy and relaxed. That is why it is essential to take your dog out to a park, so they get to play with other pets. Make sure you pet them enough and are gentle with them. There are various dog toys available in pet stores that you can buy for your dog to ensure that they are mentally stimulated. If you are not sure about what toys would be appropriate, you can always enquire at the toy shop.

Environment

Ensure that you observe good hygiene in your home. For dogs to thrive, they need to be in a clean environment. The smallest amount of toxins or pollutants can affect your dog since they use their noses to explore and are closer to the ground. This is why dogs that spend their lives outside tend to have shorter life spans than dogs kept as house pets. This is because they are more exposed to stress by being outside and are exposed to elements such as extreme temperatures such as during summer and winter.

Health Care

As mentioned earlier, you need to ensure that you take your dog to the veterinarian as often as possible. While at it, ensure you find a veterinarian who likes your dog and gives them the appropriate care they need. When looking for a veterinary, ensure you pick one who is good with dogs. Getting one that has specialized in dog care means that your pet will always be in good hands. 

There are no good and bad vets. Some vets are good with specific animals and not good with others. Therefore, find one who is good with dogs. Health care is as essential to dogs as it is to humans. Your dog’s life span could increase because of the proper care accorded to them by the veterinary. 

Frequent appointments ensure that they are in good health. Adult dogs should have yearly check ups at a minimum. If something is wrong with your dog, they can be treated early enough before the symptoms become severe. A visit to the veterinary also ensures your dog gets proper dental care.

Exercise

Different breeds of dogs require different exercises, so ensure that the exercise your dog is doing is appropriate for them. Certain breeds of dogs need to exercise daily to maintain good mental and physical health. Your dog’s lifestyle is also vital in improving its life span. If you are busy and do not have time to walk your dog, consider getting someone to walk your dog for you from the best dog walking apps, or better yet, do not get a dog. If you are well aware that you have a busy schedule, reconsider getting a dog.

To keep your dog healthy and happy, you need to ensure that they get enough exercise. If your dog was injured and is in recovery, consult with the veterinarian to know what exercises would be appropriate. If you have an arthritic dog, ensure that you talk them out for a walk every day. Dogs should not be locked up in the house or tied to a chain. Doing this could shorten your dog’s life span. 

Love

As aforementioned, you need to show your dog love. If you are a parent and plan to get a dog for your children, you need to know that you will be the one taking care of the dog more often than not. Therefore, if you are not a dog person or are not huge on pets, do not get a dog. A happy dog is a healthy dog. There is a saying that states that dogs know when they are not loved. A dog that is not loved will be a sad and depressed dog, significantly reducing its life span. A dog that is properly loved and cared for, on the other hand, will live a full, happy and healthy life.

Nutrition

Your dog’s daily activities, lifestyle, and breed are the determining factors on the kind of healthy diet you need to put them on. By feeding you pet the best dog food made with high quality, nutritious ingredients, you can significantly influence your dog’s life span. You can also give them nutritious dog treats. If you are not sure about what brands or products are the best for your dog, you can always enquire from fellow dog owners. Alternatively, you could go to a dog food store and enquire about what products would be best for your dog. Today’s best dog food delivery services are a great help for busy pet owners who want fresh and healthy meals for their pets delivered daily. Better yet, ask the veterinary.

Feeding your dog well is not the same thing as overfeeding them. If you overfeed your dog, they will be obese, which is not suitable for their health. If you have a dog with a high life span, poorly feeding them will shorten their life span. It can also reflect on their coat and skin. While a dog with a bad coat or skin may not sound alarming, what is alarming is that this will cause the dog to have stress, which shortens its life span.

Various other factors could affect your dog’s lifespan. These could be sudden random things that you have no control over, or if you do, you had no idea about them. For instance, rabies, car accidents, poisoning through chocolate, and parasites like heartworms could end your dog’s life. Even more worrying is that certain flowers could kill your dog. All you can do for your dog is be careful and ensure that they are protected with the best dog insurance policy and kept safe and out of harm’s way. Make sure that they are kept on a leash or within the boundaries of an invisible dog fence when they are outside to reduce the risks of these threats.

FAQs

Listed below are some of the most common frequently asked questions about a dog’s lifespan.

Can a Dog Live for 20 Years?

Depending on the kind of breed your dog is, they could live up to twenty years. For instance, a Yorkshire terrier has an average life span of 13 years, but they can live up to 20 years. Chihuahuas and Australian shepherds can averagely live for 17 years plus, so there is a chance that they could live up to 20 years. To ensure that your dog lives a long quality life, you may want to employ some of the tips we listed above to enhance their life span.

Which Breed of Dog Lives the Longest?

An Australian cattle dog named Bluey is recorded to be the longest living dog. Bluey lived for 29 years and 5months. Therefore, Australian cattle dogs are known to have one of the most extended life spans recorded. They are closely followed by Chihuahuas, some of the smallest dogs with a long life span. Chihuahuas can live up to 20 years. The longest living Chihuahua is recorded to have lived for 20 years and 265 days. As mentioned earlier, Yorkshire terriers can also live up to 20 years.

What is the Average Age for a Dog to Die?

Different dog breeds have different life spans. But the shortest average life span of a dog is 5 to 6 years. A French mastiff has the shortest life expectancy that averages 5 to 8 years. Other dogs with an average life expectancy of 6 years include a Great Dane, a Bernese mountain dog, and an Irish wolfhound. These dogs could potentially live up to 10 years, but chances are their life span will not extend beyond ten years.

How Long do Dogs Live at Home?

How long your dog lives at home could change based on the care that you give them. If they eat healthy, nutritious meals, exercise, have good health care, and are loved and well taken care of, they can live long, healthy and happy lives. But no amount of love and care can make a dog outlive its life expectancy period. So before you get a dog, you may want to check its life expectancy period.

We hope this article has helped you answer your question on how long dogs live. It is essential to be the best care provider for your pet. Before you get a dog, ensure that you can stay committed to taking good care of them to ensure that they lead a quality life. Dogs, you will realize, teach you so much about love, so love and protect them for as long as you will have them around. 

Whether you are getting a dog, to keep as a pet, or for security reasons, take care of them by ensuring they are well-fed, get adequate exercise, and lead the appropriate lifestyle for their breed type. Above all, love your dog. Love them as much as you can, play with them and ensure they are active and happy. The biggest thing you can do for your dog is love and care for them in the best way possible.