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How Long Will My Dog Live?

by: Joan Paylo


	The old rule-of-thumb that one dog year equals 7 years of a human life is not exact.

Just like people, dogs slow down as they grow older. Their hair turns gray, their eyes dim, their bodies lose tone and energy. They become more susceptible to illness, less adaptable to change and even forgetful as time marches on. They look to you for help and comfort.

When Is Your Dog "Old"?

The old rule-of-thumb that one dog year equals 7 years of a human life is not exact. The ratio is higher with youth and decreases a bit as your dog ages. Depending on the breed, a dog experiences the raging hormones of adolescence anywhere from 8 months to 2 years or more. Generally, a dog of 6 has aged about as much as a 45-year-old human. At 10, she's like a human of 65; at 12, a human of 75; and at 15, a human of 90.

You are the best judge of your dog's stage of life. Even if she is in the best of health, it's important that you notice when your dog begins to show her age. After years of constant companionship, however, you may not see the first subtle signs of decline. No matter how close you are, your dog does not know how to communicate little aches and pains, and even some bigger discomforts to you. She doesn't understand what's happening to her when she can't run as fast or jump as high.

When to Screen for Aging

Most veterinarians recommend that your dog be screened for the symptoms of aging and then come for twice-yearly visits when she is a senior. To determine when it's time for the first screening, you have to understand how your dog's medical history and breed might hasten or stave off her senior symptoms. Then, factor in these recommendations:

For dogs over 80 pounds, begin geriatric screening between ages 4 and 6.

For dogs 51 to 80 pounds, begin to screen between 6 and 8.

For dogs 16 to 50 pounds, begin to screen between 7 and 9.

For dogs 15 pounds or less, begin to screen between 9 and 11.

Living Longer Lives

Since the 1930s, the canine life span has increased more than 70 percent, from seven years to 12! And that's just the average. With advances in veterinary care and nutrition and more knowledgeable owners, many good-sized dogs now live to 14.

Of course, no one can really predict how long an individual dog will live. There's always the possibility of unpredictable illness or accident. Or, a genetic predisposition to disease may lurk in your dog's genes. But generally speaking, the larger the breed, the faster it ages.

Giant breeds - even pampered and exercised St. Bernards - can begin to show their years as early as four and have a life expectancy of 7 to 11 years. The chihuahua is the smallest breed, with adults weighing between 2 and 9 pounds. They can live 18 years or more. Certain breeds do better than others, as do mixed breeds. On average, smaller mutts and mutts with dominant genes from smaller breeds live longest.

Vets can't yet explain why length of life varies so much with size. "We think of large dogs as having a different metabolism, as living their allotted time faster than smaller dogs," says Dr. Harold Zweighaft of New York City.

Life Spans By Breed

The following list of predicted life spans shows how long various breeds may live.

7-10 years. Great Dane, Newfoundland, Cavalier King Charles spaniel. (Mitral valve disease may affect 50 percent of these toy spaniels in North America.)

9-11 years. St. Bernard, bloodhound, chow chow, boxer, French bulldog. (Von Willebrand's disease, akin to human hemophilia, can impede blood clotting in Frenchies.)

10-13 years. Airedale terrier, Dalmatian, golden retriever, German shepherd, Scottish terrier. (Scotties also may inherit von Willebrand's.)

12-15 years. Beagle, bichon frise, collie, Doberman, papillon, Pomeranian.

14-16 years. Boston terrier, cairn terrier, cocker spaniel, Welsh corgi, Irish setter, Parson Russell terrier, Maltese terrier, poodle (standard), schnauzer, shih tzu, West Highland White terrier, Yorkshire terrier.

15-18 years. Dachshund, poodle (miniature and toy), Chihuahua.

It's up to you to maintain your dog's health and sense of security and to make sure that she's able to enjoy her natural athletic ability as long as possible. You must be perceptive, noticing changes in your dog's moods and habits. It takes love and commitment to help your dog navigate old age, but it will be returned in kind.

Hi, I have come to that time in me and my ninjas life,where I am really thinking hard about his quality of life.It is not easy, Just when I think I have made up my mind,he seems to get friskier for a little while.But, I know the time is coming.Sometimes I wish that he would just go asleep and I wouldn't have to make the decision.He is 15 years old now.Not overweight. He has been with me since he was 18 months old. He has been with me after the kids were gone and through my divorce and various apts.over time.This is just so hard for me. He is blind in one eye. Has to have constant medication for his eye.I can't take him to the groomers anymore. He has lots of cysts all over and the groomers don't know and he ends up bleeding when they accidently use the razor and cut him.l He gives them a hard time,when they try to clean up his face. He has been to the groomers lots of times and has never given them any problems before.Just the last couple of years since he has been having these cyst and medical problems.Lots of ear infections. Slowly I have noticed him slowing down and not being able to climb the stairs without a little more trouble. He hesitates more going in and out and up and down the stairs.I love him so much and will miss him when he does go. Every time I take him to the vet,it seems they just want to put him down.I have been making his food now for over two years. He loves it and that is what has kept his weight where it should be. He was overweight before then.His allergies have been better since he has been eating my homemade food.He sleeps a lot,still comes and checks me out every so often,then goes back to lay down..He has bad breath because he needs a couple of teeth out.But he never seems to complain,eats ok. But,it is a little discouraging to have to take him to the vets to be groomed.And of course they don't charge the regular groomer fees. Three times the amount,usually. They have to put him to sleep to clean up his face .I don't want him to suffer,but I don't know if he really is or not.I can't get pet insurance because of his age.Every time he does go to the vet,it seems they just want to sleep forever..They make me feel like I am a bad parent, because I don't want to do it yet.!!I know I have gone on and on.Am I being selfish for not giving in just yet. I do know the time is coming and everyone says he will let me know..In a way, I think he is,but I don't want to feel like a murder either.!!!!!!!!Have you ever heard of anyother person being as confused as I am???????????

I can certainly sympathize with your plight. My beloved BeBe lived to within two weeks of her 20th birthday. She did, in fact, go out in the yard, and lay down under the elephant ears and passed peacefully. She had been my mom's baby and when she fell ill with cancer and was too sick to take care of her, BeBe came to live with me when she was only 3. My son grew up with her and she was truly a member of our family. I resisted even thinking about her becoming feeble or disabled and not able to function as she had. She got a bit crippled towards the end of her life, but my husband built her a ramp when she couldn't climb the three steps anymore and we planned vacations around being able to take her with us.

As I used to tell my sister about her furbaby, you will know when it's time. No one else can make that decision, but as long as Ninja isn't in pain and his bowels and kidneys function okay and he has some appetite, I wouldn't call your wanting to prolong his life selfish - you are responding in the way any mother would. You want your baby to have a long happy life because you love him. You'll know when it's time.

THANK YOU,,I couldn't help but get a little teary,when
I read your note..You are right,he is peeing and pooping ok,eats good.Just slowing down,I really don't know if he has pain or not.This morning he wanted to get on the couch and snuggle with me. he has not done that for a while..thanks again.................................ninjas mom

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