HOW LONG DO SMALL DOGS LIVE?

We often treat our dogs like family and want them to live with us as much as possible. Unfortunately, dogs have a much shorter lifespan than humans. However, some dogs are known to live longer than others. In general, small dogs have a longer life expectancy than larger dogs, 1 but many factors can affect your dog's life expectancy.

Factors Affecting Dog Life Expectancy

Not all small dogs live the same. This is due to different factors. The overall health of your pet, as well as the diseases that certain breeds are prone to, can affect life expectancy. In addition, a particular dog's lifestyle, the nutrients it receives, and the precautions its owner takes to limit infectious and parasitic diseases (i.e. spread of mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks) can all affect a dog's lifespan.

If a dog is born with congenital problems or a disease that affects the function of organs and body systems, life expectancy may be shortened. Indoor dogs that are let loose or neutered are less likely to be hit by a car, injured, or killed, so lifestyle can play a big role in how long a dog survives, regardless of breed.

Finally, life expectancy can be negatively affected if proper nutrition is not provided, or if dogs are exposed to pathogens without vaccination or proper protection with routine preventive medicine. Not all causes of death are natural or due to old age, so preventative care dog owners can play an important role in determining how long their dog will live.

The lifespan of Small Breeds

Most small breeds are expected to live in the double digits, but there is no way to guarantee that. Some small dogs live much longer than their breeds expect, while others, unfortunately, don't, but in general, small dogs live longer than most larger breeds. Below are the average lifespans for specific small dog breeds.

• Cardigan Welsh Corgi - 13 years
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - 11 years
• Lhasa Apso - 14 years
• Miniature Schnauzer - 12 years
• Pekingese - 12 years
• Pembroke Welsh Corgi - 12 years
• Pomeranian - 10 years
• Pug - 11 years
• Shetland Sheepdog - 13 years
• Bichon Frise - 12 years
• Boston Terrier - 11 years
• Cairn Terrier - 14 years
• Shih Tzu - 13 years
• Toy Poodle - 13 years
• West Highland White Terrier - 13 years
• Maltese - 12 years
• Miniature Dachshund - 14 years
• Miniature Poodle - 14 years
• Chihuahua - 15 years
• Dachshund - 13 years
• French Bulldog - 9 years
• Jack Russell Terrier - 14 years

Why do small dogs live longer than large dogs?

Small dogs generally live longer than larger dogs because older dogs age faster. A study of 5,663 dogs found that 13.8% died of old age,2 while in another study of 74,000 dogs, cancer was the leading cause of death in large dogs, but the endocrine disease was the leading cause of death Reasons, especially in puppies 3. They tend to get sick more easily as they age, so if pets age faster, their bodies will experience more stress and deterioration than smaller dogs that don't age rapidly.

General Health Issues in Small Dogs

Small dogs can suffer from many of the same health problems as larger breeds, but small breeds are more prone to certain problems than larger breeds. Background Calcification, intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), mitral valve disease, tracheobronchitis, and pancreatitis are common problems that can appear or develop in puppies throughout their lives. For example, dachshunds are particularly at risk of dying from diseases such as IVDD, and Maltese and Chihuahuas are more prone to heart disease such as mitral valve disease4. These health problems can lead to a reduction in life expectancy, depending on their severity and management. Other health problems can also reduce a dog's quality of life, leading to euthanasia, but not necessarily the cause of the dog's death.

How can you help your dog live as long as possible?

While no one can predict how long your dog will live, there are a few things you can do as a dog owner to help keep your dog healthy and hopefully prevent its life from ending prematurely. Feeding your dog a balanced diet, following your veterinarian's vaccination recommendations, checking your dog regularly, and using regular antiparasitic medications can all contribute to your dog's health. You have a healthy long life.