Lifespans

Question
Do pure breds live longer than mixed breeds?
What is the average lifespan of a dog?
What common problems do big dogs have, and what common problems do small dogs have?
Does the work/excersize a dog gets help depend on the dogs life span?
Can I help my dog live longer than his life expectancy?

Answer
Hi Sarah;
Purebreds don't live longer than mixed breeds, nor do mixed breeds live longer.It depends on the breed, or breeds in the dog, and the care it gets.
The average life span depends on the breed of the dog.
Normal life spans for some breeds vary from 2 to 3 years, to 15 to 18 years.That 7 myears to a human's 1 year is simply not right.
You can help your dog live longer.Good nutrition and good health care are the main factors.
Having a dog spayed or neutered makes a difference.
The old wives tale that a male should be bred at least once, and a female should have at least one litter before they are spayed and neutered is just that, an old wives tale. Actually, the oposite is correct.
Females have less chance of breast cancer if spayed before they have even one litter, and males have less chance of prostrate cancer if they are neutered.
Animals now, can get all the problems we have.I think we have just messed with our enviornment too much.
I have known of cats and dogs having mumps,even.
The way you feed, see to their physical activity, clean teeth, all the factors that help a human live longer, help an animal live longer.
Obesity can cause heart problems and diabetes in dogs and cats, just as it can in humans.
Some of the problems that used to be seen in larger dogs is being seen more and more in smaller dogs.
Hip Dysplacia is one. That used to be peculiar to only larger dogs, now we are seeing it in small breeds, even the very small ones.
Back problems are more of a problem for dogs with a longer back, in proportion to their height and muscle frame.
Dogs have allergies more and more.
When I was a child, back in the 40s and 50s, there was maybe one or two children in the whole school that would have allergies or Asthma, now it seems the majority of children are problemed by these disorders.It seems to be the same with animals.
I have a dog, an English Setter that is alergic to mold spores, dust particles etc. She takes medications almost on a daily basis.
Even with her health problems, she is living longer than would be expected. She is 14 years old, but with the health problems she has had, she should be at the end of her life, or should have already gone. She is alive and healthy, as far as her nutrition, weight etc, and with the Tellington-Touch method of animal massage, I keep her moving pretty well, with fewer medications.
My dogs consistantly live 2 to 4 years longer than their breed's ( or Breeds') life expectantly.
I have had a lot of purebreds, and a lot of mixed breeds. I find purebreds are no smarter than mixed breeds or the other way around.
No matter what their intelligence level, they are way ahead of those of us with only 2 legs.LOL
There is a site where you can compare your dog's age level. You answer questions, what their breed is, how much they weigh, how much exercise they get, things like that, and you will get an answer of whether your dog is physically older or younger than they should be. Go to this address and take the test. You will see if your dog is ahead or behind the age he/she should be.
www.dogage.com
There are a lot of good tips in there for caring for your dog.
I hope I have answered the questions you had, and if there is anything else I can help you with, feel free to write anytime.
Charlotte