Increasing Canine Longevity

[HiDesertHal]

This may be a tall order, and one without much backing, but I would like to see Medical Science develop a way to double the lifespan of dogs.

The average is only 14 years, with some of the large breeds living only 6 to 8 years!

Horses live for up to 35 years, and they have much more mass to keep healthy!

HiDesertHal

 

[Toomuchstuff]

Dogs are getting so many diseases now ,Personally, I believe it has something to do with what they put in dog food.... or what they don't add that should be. Out of all my many,many dogs, only one died of old age. All the rest had serious health problems as they got older. I also wish they'd live longer .

 

[Butterfly]

I also wish dogs lived longer -- it's so hard to let them go.

 

[Camper6]

Are the statistics for pure bred or mongrels? I know that pure breeds inherit the diseases prevalent for their breed.

German Sheperds inherit hip displacement for instance.

 

[HiDesertHal]

I'm not sure; I think it's for dogs in general, but Mongrels do tend to live longer than Purebreds, size factors being equal.

German Shepherds and a few other large breeds do get Hip Displasia.

HDH

 

[Butterfly]

I think it's for dogs in general. Only some of the little bitty ones live much past that, I've always had large dogs, and even with the best care, they seldom make it much past 14.

 

[JustBonee]

I have a large Labrador Retriever (90 lbs) who is 11 years old, and I'm afraid I'm going to lose him fairly soon. His body and legs are starting to fail him and it hurts to watch.

 

[HiDesertHal]

We had to put down Daisy, our beloved Yellow Lab, a few years ago. She lived to be 14 yrs, 8 months.

People would say "Wow...how long is that in Human years?"

I would then say "14 years and 8 months."

HiDesertHal (Here's a picture of Daisy)

 

[Shalimar]

Beautiful dog!

 

[JustBonee]

Boo looks like that picture, including the red collar.

 

[Ruth n Jersey]

I wish they would live longer also. I was lucky with a Beagle I had as a kid. He lived to be 15, also the same with my Yorkie. My two Labs lived to be only 9. A pure bread Shepard was only 3. After that experience with the Shepard all our pets came from a shelter. Beautiful photo Hal and sorry for your loss.

 

[HiDesertHal]

Thanks, Ruth...Daisy departed about 7 years ago.

We now have "Barbie", also adopted. She's a Queensland Heeler/Alaskan Husky mix, with light blue eyes.

She comes to me and makes Singing/Howling sounds when I play the Harmonica!

HiDesertHal

 

[Butterfly]

I have a big, silly, 75 pound, lovable AmStaff/pitbull. The upside down pose of the doggie just above is how she likes to lay under the swamp cooler vents to cool herself, and also how she sleeps on the couch. I adopted her when she was about seven and a half and I've had for for over 2 years now. She was mistreated in her former life, but now she is quite the indoor doggie diva. She gives the BEST kisses. I just love her to pieces.