How Many Years Is My Dog Going to Live?

Dogs can become cherished members of a family but unfortunately they live a significantly shorter life than most humans. Many of the factors like genetics, breed and size that determine a dog's life span are things that owners cannot change. However, owners can control certain factors and those elements will help extend a dog's life.

  1. Average Life Span

    • The overall average life span of a dog is 12 years. This can vary greatly depending on the breed. Many breeds have a genetic disposition to certain life-threatening diseases like bloat, congenital heart disease and cancer, which significantly reduce their average life span. Generally, small and medium-sized dogs with long muzzles, like the poodle and dachshund, live longer than giant dogs like the Great Dane and molossoid, which have pushed in noses. On average, mixed dogs tend to live longer than most purebreds.

    Weight

    • The size and weight of a dog heavily influence its life expectancy. Small- and medium-sized dogs tend to live between 12 and 16 years, while giant breeds have a life span of six to nine years. Weight is the more-significant factor. Small but heavy dogs like the English bulldog have an average life expectancy similar to the giant breeds. As such, an obese dog will have a significantly lower life expectancy even if it were small.

    Diet

    • Nutrition is entirely under an owner's control and probably one of the most significant factors contributing to a long life expectancy for a dog. It is important to keep a dog lean and make sure it has plenty of exercise and a balanced diet that does not contain too many filler foods like soy, corn or rice. Do not give your dog table scraps that contain sugar or salt and limit the human food the dog eats to healthy fruits, cooked meats and vegetables.

    Health Monitoring

    • Many dogs have to be put to sleep because of advanced health issues not detected earlier. Dogs need regular checkups just like humans to catch early warning signs of health issues. A veterinarian's regular vaccines and blood work can prevent an early demise. Maintaining good hygiene for your dog is also a way to monitor your its health. More than likely, you will spot any irregularities or changes in coat and skin while grooming and washing your dog. You can eliminate harmful bacteria and infections by brushing your dog's teeth regularly.