Each future four-legged owner asks the question: “How many years have dogs lived?” And this is understandable, because when we buy a dog, we bring into the house not just an animal, but also a family member.
Neither dog handlers, nor veterinarians, nor even experienced breeders will be able to say exactly how many years dogs live. Of course, there is a certain arithmetic mean based on several indicators. But we should not forget about factors.
According to statistics, the average life expectancy of our younger brothers is about twelve years. But this figure is very, very unstable, and does it depend not only on the breed characteristics, but also on the place of residence, and on the presence of hereditary diseases, and on feeding, and on the quality of water, and on the quality of feed? and even the climate.
Of course, pedigree features in this matter are put in the first place. In encyclopedias, for example, it is clearly stated how many years live dogs of various breeds. But this is again average. Let us dwell on the example of the well-known German Shepherd. For one owner she dies of old age at the age of 9, for another - at 17. Agree, the gap is significant. So what's the deal?
This is where the factors listed above come up. The first dog lived in a large city, ate, "how it will turn out, " drank not very high-quality tap water, did not move much and was sick many times. The second dog lived in the taiga, drank only spring water, fed on natural food, walked a lot, practically did not get sick, and did not get stress.
Most thoroughbred dogs, the very ones that we buy for decent “nth” amounts, are held hostage by the owners' excessive “love”. Why is the word “love” in quotation marks? Yes, because we, motivated only by good intentions, begin to groom the pet, feeding it with rolls, sweets, sausage, grilled chicken and other inedible food for dogs. As a result, pets have problems such as obesity, low hemoglobin, zero immunity, kidney failure, and heart failure. And then - clinics, treatment (or healing), operations … And this is a new burden on the liver, kidneys, and heart. And new stresses - both psychological and physical. It turns out that the body, already having problems, is obliged to fight new ones. Having difficulty coping with the existing loads, he is forced to take regular strokes in the form of all the same ultrasounds, x-rays, and chemicals. And here the question already becomes different: "How long does a dog live, often sick?"
Healing one, we mutilate another. Involuntarily, of course, but still …
Surprisingly, between how many years live dogs thoroughbred (or domestic) and mongrels, there is a gap of several years. A domestic dog is less adapted to a stressful environment. A mongrel dog has been forced to fight for life from the very first days. This is where natural selection works. Mongrels, as a rule, are more hardy, more seasoned, more active. And therefore they live more.
It is also noted that smaller dogs outlive their larger relatives. Let's say that the dogue de Bordeaux measured an average of 8 years, Chihuahua - 14. But this is again the average.
It is in your power to extend your pet's life for several years. Provide him with a good, balanced diet, clean water, long walks, movement and love. True love, which consists not in feeding tasty pieces from the "master's table", but in affection, games, attention.
