| From the time we bring them home as wriggling | | | | excessive exercise in the first two years can put |
| bundles of joy, we all want our puppies to live | | | | added stress on the joints in question and actually |
| forever. As they bond with us and grow into full | | | | exacerbate the potential for later problems. Exercise |
| fledged family members, we tend not to think about | | | | is good, over doing isn't. Regular veterinary check ups |
| the end of their life or how many precious years we | | | | and of course vaccinations during the first two years |
| have with our canine friends. However, when picking | | | | can help to catch problems early on, which will |
| out our new puppy it is rare that we give adequate | | | | increase his overall health. This is the time when your |
| consideration to the average lifespan of the dog. | | | | puppy really needs you to watch out for him, |
| There are distinct factors that play into whether our | | | | whether his body is having health problems or he is |
| puppy will be with us until our children graduate from | | | | ingesting things that can cause long term problems, |
| high school or if they give us a few good years. Most | | | | staying on top of him now reduces health effects in |
| experts agree that small breeds tend to outlive large | | | | his later years. From his second year through his fifth |
| breeds. The general rule of thumb is the larger the | | | | we can consider this his basic years of good health |
| dog the shorter the life span. Large medium to large | | | | and maintenance. Watch for signs of growing obesity |
| breed dog tend to live about ten years, although | | | | and make sure he is receiving ample exercise and fun |
| there are exceptions to every rule. We have a | | | | play time. If he is a healthy dog then these years |
| feisty-willed large breed mutt who is determined to | | | | should be stress free. Keep at least annual |
| see his fifteenth birthday. Smaller breeds tend to live | | | | appointments with the vet for check ups and |
| longer, anywhere from twelve to fifteen years. | | | | updated shots. His food should be a high quality |
| Occasionally you will run into the nearly twenty year | | | | protein based variety, but if he's showing signs of to |
| old Scottie, but most don't make it past their | | | | much happy eating either cut back on his portions or |
| sixteenth year. Again, every rule has its exceptions. | | | | switch to a low calorie variety. Once he gets into his |
| The Irish Wolfhound isn't expected to make it more | | | | fifth to eighth year we can consider him a middle age |
| than six or seven good years although there really | | | | to aging dog. These are the years when small but |
| isn't a conclusive reason as to why this is so. Of | | | | manageable health problems are likely to show up. If |
| course these figures are taking into consideration | | | | he's a really good eater but hasn't shown signs of |
| overall good health and quality care. Genetics play a | | | | obesity before, these are the years when his activity |
| vital role in longetivity, but those we can't control. | | | | will slow down some and he may develop a weight |
| There are a few factors in our favorite little guy's life | | | | problem now. Again, a good low calorie food and a |
| we can do to help him get to his ripe old age. Some | | | | few perhaps coaxed walks should be enough to help |
| of them can even combat predisposition to genetic | | | | him keep his youthful figure. Other problems such as |
| diseases. One of the fastest ways to shorten a | | | | cataracts, arthritis, or even heart murmurs are most |
| dog's life is to keep him outside all the time. Dogs | | | | likely to show up during these years. They are not |
| that live outside tend to be missing a few key | | | | catastrophic events and can typically be handled with |
| ingredients in their overall care that impact their life | | | | a trip to the vet and either simple procedures or |
| span. Even with a shelter available, dogs do wear | | | | medication. Ignoring problems now however, are likely |
| down and age quickly when they are dealing with | | | | to grow into unmanageable problems quickly. Stay on |
| constant element exposure. While some can adjust, | | | | top of his check ups and vaccinations to ward off |
| most dog bodies find the extremes the environment | | | | any potential disasters looming about. Most dogs that |
| can dish out at them to be exhausting and | | | | are generally healthy should make it through these |
| threatening. Dogs who permanently reside outside | | | | years just fine. Depending on the size, breed, and |
| tend to receive less over all care. Since people spend | | | | overall health of your not so little guy, once he |
| the majority of their time at home inside, often small | | | | reaches eight years old he may be starting to push |
| health problems go unnoticed until it becomes an | | | | toward borrowed time. Smaller breeds won't get |
| overwhelming problem. Even the responsible pet | | | | there until about ten, but even medium dogs are |
| owner can forget to feed or water the dog who is | | | | now starting to wear down. Just because he's |
| permanently engaged in outdoor activities when the | | | | getting old doesn't mean you have to start thinking |
| lifestyle inside the home becomes stressed or busy. | | | | about euthanasia. There is a possibility that he will |
| Outdoor dogs also lack the essential strong emotional | | | | have health and happiness for a few more years to |
| connection with their owners that indoor dogs benefit | | | | come. However now is the time when health |
| from. Having their human friends to please and play | | | | problems can erupt quickly and strike hard. Eight |
| with goes a long way in their overall happiness and | | | | years old and beyond is when you are most likely |
| health. Often a sick dog who has no emotional | | | | going to face making tough decisions about your |
| connection will stop eating and caring for themselves | | | | faithful canine's quality of life. The care you gave him |
| long before those who have families who love and | | | | as a puppy is now doing its part to take care of him |
| care for them. If you want your little guy to live a | | | | as he ages. Some older dogs need to be encouraged |
| longer, fuller life, bring him inside and let him be part | | | | to eat. If your once upon a time eating machine is |
| of the family lifestyle. Whether you are bringing | | | | suddenly losing weight, switch to a higher protein, |
| home a purebred puppy or a distinguished gentleman | | | | higher fat content dog food to help him maintain his |
| of questionable descent, their life span can be about | | | | energy. Our care for our dogs all the way through |
| the same. Barring any health problems, each should | | | | their lives can make a huge difference in how long |
| live as long as the other and it really just comes | | | | they live a full and happy life. When bringing a new |
| down to personal preference. From birth to about | | | | puppy home remember that how you treat his body |
| two years old your puppy is learning and growing. | | | | right now will carry a direct effect to his life span |
| Every day your little guy is reaching new miles stones | | | | down the road. Many dogs outlive their life span and |
| and his body is very busy. High quality puppy food | | | | are happy and energetic the whole way through. A |
| packed with nutrition can help set him on the | | | | little love and responsibility can go a long, long way. |
| foundation for a healthy life. These foods are a little | | | | Any dog that has touched your life will certainly live |
| more expensive, but they can be well worth the | | | | forever. |
| cost when considering the effects of malnutrition. If | | | | David Beart is the owner of Our site covers pets, |
| your little guy comes from a family or breed history | | | | dog health, finances, family, cooking and other |
| of hip and back problems such as hip dysplasia, | | | | household issues. |