Old Age!

Question
I was just woundering what the normal life expectancy of a dog that is part  begal and part Jack Russell taryer?
My Dog is in pritty good shape, for a 17 year old Dog. She is going blind and losing her hearing but other then that she is still the same old Dog. Just peeing on the carpit and sleeping in the stangest place like in closets and hiding behind chairs at night.  

Answer
Hi Lizzy,

17 years is certainly remarkable for a dog of any breed, though It's never easy to see our beloved pets  show the signs of age.

The oldest dog on record was Bluey, an Australian Cattle Dog, who died at 29 in 1939.  That is a highly unusual lifespan.
The average lifespan of a Beagle is 14 years, although 17 years is not unusual. The average life span of a
Jack Russell is about 15 years.
Your dog has really good genes!

Mixed breeds typically live longer than their purebred cousins, and dogs under 30 pounds usually live the longest.  At 17, your dog is the equivalent to an 84 year old person. While its not uncommon for a person to live to be that age, it is uncommon for a dog.

Some elderly dogs develop a condition known as Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome, which is a lot like senility for dogs. Clinical signs include: disorientation, "acting old," increased sleep (especially during the day,) altered interactions with family members, loss of housetraining, getting "stuck" in a corner, and barking aimlessly at inanimate objects.
There is an FDA approved medication (Anipryl) which is supposed to help. If you think your dog might be helped by medication, you should talk to your vet. You can find out more about Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome here:

http://www.cdsindogs.com/

However long he has on this earth, may they be happy years.

Best of luck,
Patti