lifespan of a dog | What Is The Life Expectancy Of Every Dog?

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lifespan of a dog

 

The lifespan of a dog heavily depends on many factors, in this guide, we would walk you through a few conditions in dogs, and how long they can live with these conditions. We will be looking to answer general questions regarding the lifespan of dogs.

The average lifespan of dogs is 8 – 13 years, some dogs may live longer or shorter.

Dogs are one of the most popular pets in the world, and their lifespans vary widely. Smaller breeds tend to live longer than larger breeds, but all dogs can suffer from health problems that can shorten their lives. At the end of this article, you will be able to calculate a dog’s age in dog years and human years.

 

Maximum lifespan of a dog

There are many stories of dogs living up to 20 or more years, one such story is of bluey the Australian shepherd, who lived for 29 years. This was recorded in the early 19th century. This is the maximum a dog has lived. As confirmed in the Guinness book of record.

The maximum life expectancy of a dog varies. In the dog world, the larger a dog, the shorter the life span. Dogs averagely live for 8 – 15byears.

Shortest lifespan of a dog

The royal veterinary college carried out a study and discovered that shorter lifespans are more consistent with dogs with flat faces.

The French bulldog lives for just about 4.5 years on average. Coming in as the dog with the shortest life expectancy. As you already know, the bulldogs all have flat faces.

 

Lifespan of a male and female dog

The average life span of female dogs is tied to 10 years. This value varies a lot as different breeds live for different amounts of years and different sizes of dogs will live for different years. To get accurate data, you’ll have to compile statistics that take into consideration the following.

Health problems are attributed to specific breed and how it impacts life expectancy.

The age at which each dog breed lives on cations of the dogs and plagues according to location.

There are endless factors to consider to reach an accurate figure.

Lifespan of a street dog

Street dogs are more common in some geo-locations. In India, the average street dog will live between 0-5 years old. In Nigeria, a street dog can live up to 8-9 years old as they developed resistance to some diseases compared to the dogs trained in a home.

Lifespan of a small dog

The terriers and toy dogs are classified as the small breed dogs. My personal favorite is the bichon first. The breed has a lovely personality, small in size, but with a large heart. If my son shows me that he is ready to take care of a cute pup, I’ll suggest and get him one bichon if he desires.

 

small dog breed lifespan

Unlike the larger dogs who age quickly and die faster, the smallest dog breeds put little to no strain on their physiological processes thereby enabling them to outlive the larger dog breeds. the lifespan of a small dog breed can be as long as anywhere from 12 to 17 years. so in a case whereby you are looking for a dog that can live long. You know what to go for.

This doesn’t apply to other animals as the giant elephant will outlive the rabbit for tens of years.

 

Here is a detailed guide on why small dogs outlive big dogs.

 

Small breeds with the longest life span

  1. Chihuahua: 12 – 20 years
  2. Shih Tzu: 10 – 15 years
  3. Pomeranian 12 – 16 years
  4. Beagle 12 – 15 years
  5. Yorkshire terrier 13 – 16
  6. Lhasa Apso 12 – 14

Fun Fact: The chihuahua average weighing 6 pounds, is said to be the smallest dog breed.

Lifespan of a police dog

Usually, a police dog will start working with the police department at the age of 12 months. The K9s work for 8 years before the police opt to retire them. The average police dog will live for 10 – 13 years.

The police dog is trained to aid the law enforcement agencies, their powerful sense of smell which is way stronger than humans’ own. A police dog is trained to detect drugs, hunt fleeing criminals, detection of explosives, protect people, and lots more.

Chart of a police dog and their lifespan

  1. German Shepherd: 8 – 13 years
  2. Rottweiler: 8 – 12 years
  3. Doberman: 10 – 13 years
  4. American pit bull terrier: 9 – 15 years
  5. Labrador retriever: 10 -12 years

Fun facts:The German Shepherd is a bestie to kids, in as much as you would have thought they’d be very violent to kids. But they will have a hard time with other dogs.

Lifespan of a Large Dog

Large dogs are characterized by a dog that weighs over 51 – 70 pounds and above and grows up to 24 inches tall. A typical example is a mastiff and the Kangal dogs.

Asides from the fact that large dog breeds live the shortest, you could enjoy a memorable life with them as each dog breed comes with an endearing side to them.

large dog breed lifespan

On a dark brown background lying English mastiff. Perhaps one of the most well-known breeds in the world, a true Englishman and an aristocrat credit istockphotos

 

The life expectancy of a large dog is 5 –  8 years. It is usually shorter than that of a small breed dog, large dog breeds such as the mastiff live for 4 – 8 years. The larger the dog breed the shorter the lifespan.

Large dog breeds that live the shortest

  1. Saint Bernard: 5 – 9 years
  2. Mastiff: 5-8 years
  3. Bernese Mountain Dog: 5 – 7 years
  4. Bullmastiff: 5 – 9 years 
  5. Irish Wolfhound: 5 – 7 years

I am currently working on a study to see how genetics, breeding, and some other factors affect the lifespan of larger dogs.

Lifespan of a dog in dog years

In the past, dog years were said to be a ratio of 1:7 meaning, one dog year equals 7 human years. However, this is a hypothesis that hasn’t been qualified as a theory. The basic logic here is that the life expectancy for humans is 70 years and that of dogs, 10.

The American veterinary medical association calculates the dog years to human years with the following sequence.

  1. In the first year of a medium-sized breed, it’s 1 dog year to 15 human years.
  2. The second-year: it’s two dog years to 9 human years.
  3. From the third year onwards, it’s 1 dog year to 5 human years.

This can help you drive after any breed calculation.

Lifespan of a dog in human years

with the analysis given above using an example of the samoyed, a samoyed who lived for 4 years is 34 years in human years.

Lifespan according to illness.

Lifespan of a dog with diabetes

When it comes to the lifespan of dogs, several factors can affect how long your furry friend will be with you. One important factor is whether or not your dog has diabetes.

There is currently no unanimous answer by experts on how long a pup with diabetes may live, research carried out over the years have shown that managing diabetes properly can extend a dog’s life by up to two years. So, if you’re wondering how you can help your diabetic dog live a long and happy life, here are a few tips.

First, it’s important to get your dog’s diabetes under control. This means working with your veterinarian to find the right insulin dosage and monitoring your dog’s blood sugar levels closely.

Next, keep your dog active and at a healthy weight. Obesity can make diabetes harder to control and can shorten your dog’s lifespan. A proper diet as directed by the vet, and good exercise are essential.

Finally, don’t smoke around your dog. Smoke can be harmful to dogs and can exacerbate diabetes. So if you’re a smoker, make sure to take smoking breaks outside and away from your dog. By following these tips, you can help your diabetic dog live a long and healthy

Lifespan of a dog with lymphoma

Lymphoma is a type of cancer that can affect dogs of any age, breed, or size. However, it is most commonly diagnosed in middle-aged to older dogs.

The average lifespan of a dog with lymphoma is about 6vmonths from the time of diagnosis. The factors that can affect the lifespan of a dog with lymphoma are so many.

There are a lot of things that can shorten the life of a dog with lymphoma. The most pivotal point is how quickly the cancer is discovered in the dog and vigorously treated.

Dogs that are diagnosed early and treated aggressively have the best chance for long-term survival. The type of lymphoma also plays a role in lifespan. For example, multicentric lymphoma is the most common type of lymphoma in dogs and typically causes a shorter lifespan in dogs than other types of lymphomas.

Other factors that can affect the lifespan of a dog with lymphoma include the overall health of the dog and its response to treatment. Dogs that are in good health before diagnosis and respond well to treatment usually have a better prognosis than those that are already sick or do not respond well to treatment.

If your dog has been diagnosed with lymphoma, talk to your veterinarian about what you can expect.

Lifespan of a dog with seizures

One of the most serious health problems that can affect dogs is the causes of seizures. Seizures are a neurological condition that can cause a dog to lose consciousness and experience muscle spasms. Seizures can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, head injuries, and toxins.

Seizures can be very dangerous for dogs, and they sometimes lead to death. The average lifespan of a dog with seizures is about two years. However, there are some cases where dogs with seizures have lived much longer. If you think your dog may be suffering from seizures, it is important to take them to the vet as soon as possible for a proper diagnosis.

Lifespan of a dog with heartworms

As the weather gets warmer, we start to see more and more dogs out and about. And with that, unfortunately, comes an increase in the number of dogs who contract heartworms. Heartworms are a serious and potentially deadly condition that affects dogs of all ages, breeds, and sizes. So, how long do dogs live with heartworms?

The answer, unfortunately, is not cut and dry. The lifespan of a dog with heartworms can range from a few months to several years, depending on several factors. These include the severity of the infestation, the dog’s age and overall health, and whether or not they receive treatment.

Heartworm disease is caused by parasitic worms that live in the heart and lungs of infected animals. The worms are transmitted through mosquito bites, and once inside the body, they mature and reproduce.

As the worm population grows, it exerts strain on the heart and lungs, potentially resulting in organ damage and death. It is heartwarming to know that it can be treated.

Treatment typically involves a series of injections over a few weeks or months. The goal of treatment is to kill adult worms and larvae.

Lifespan of a dog with kidney failure

One of the biggest factors in determining lifespan is whether or not your dog has any underlying health conditions. For example, dogs with kidney failure typically have a shorter lifespan than those without any chronic health problems.

Kidney diseases in dogs are experienced in multiple stages. In the first case of kidney failure, the average survival rate is more than 400 days, while the survival rate of renal failure in Stage 2 ranges from 200 to 400 days. in stage 3, it has been reported that the average survival rate of dogs is 100 to 200 days.

However, we have seen many dogs with kidney failure who go on to live long and healthy lives with the proper treatment and care. The best thing you can do for your dog is to make sure they are getting regular check-ups with their veterinarian. This way, any potential health problems can be caught early and treated accordingly.

Watch the video on heaviest dogs with long lifespan

 

Final thoughts on the lifespan of a dog.

 

Hope you can calculate the human to dog years? Teach your dog too. Feel free to tell your 4-year-old dog: ” you’re a man now, you’re 34 years in human years, don’t bite on the furniture”.

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