This question is asked by a lot of people when they say goodbye to their pets. On average, dogs live between 8 and 15 years, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. But it can be longer, depending on the animal's diet and health, environment, breed and size.
A British study published this year in the journal Scientific Reports (part of the Nature group) has indicated that even the size of the muzzle may be related to a longer life expectancy. Previous research has shown that small dogs tend to live longer than large ones.
The study in question cross-referenced data on 584,734 dogs provided by 18 organizations - from shelters to pet insurance companies - to assess size, gender, pure or mixed breed, and skull shape, investigating the interaction between these characteristics.
The results were presented by Kirsten McMillan, deputy head of research at Dogs Trust, the UK's largest dog charity, who took part in the research.
According to the research, among pure breeds, small and long-nosed dogs tend to have the longest life expectancy, with an average of 13.3 years. Flat-nosed (brachycephalic) dogs, on the other hand, have a life expectancy of 11.2 years, possibly because they are more prone to respiratory problems.
As the researchers point out, the data refers to the region, and various local aspects can have an influence, from the way English society raises its furry companions to the situation of animals up for adoption.
Care and prevention
In any case, regardless of the country or the dog's characteristics, the basic guideline for anyone wishing to increase their pet's lifespan is: take care of it from the time it's a puppy. And maintain this attention throughout the animal's life.
For veterinarian Pedro Risolia, from Petlove, it's important to understand that care doesn't only start when the dog is old.
For a dog to live long, it's essential to offer good nutrition, exercise, vaccinations and regular visits to the vet - not just when it's sick. "We have a culture of only taking them to the vet when they're unwell. But it's advisable to take them at least once a year, even when they're well."
The fact is that our pets are living longer now than they did decades ago. And this is explained by the transformation of people's relationship with their "best friend".
According to Risolia, what caused this impact on survival was the way we dealt with the dog. "When they were in the backyard, open to the elements, eating leftover food, with diseases that weren't diagnosed or treated, their life cycle became shorter," said the doctor.
Read the rest of the story at https://braziljournal.com/da-para-aumentar-a-longevidade-dos-caes-a-resposta-pode-te-surpreender/
By Luis Estrelas
