Do Small Dog Breeds Live Longer Than Large Dog Breeds
Scientists have long been baffled about why small dog breeds tend to live longer than large dog breeds. In the rest of the animal kingdom, size seems to positively correlate with longevity. Elephants and whales are some of the largest and longest-lived mammals, with some whale species living more than 100 years. The same cannot be said of dogs.
Small dogs live significantly longer than their larger counterparts, in many cases up to several years longer. Scientists are not entirely sure why this occurs, although there is speculation that larger dogs develop age-related diseases sooner than smaller dogs. This could be because the larger breeds grow from puppies to adults at an accelerated rate, which may increase the likelihood of abnormal cell growth and death from cancer.
Regardless of the reasons behind why some dogs live longer than others, there are similar characteristics among small, medium, and large dog breeds that help determine the longevity of each group.
More Tips To Increase Your Goldens Lifespan
While a variety of factors can influence the overall health of your dog, including their genes, sex, and environment, we know that there are few things we can do to increase the lifespan of our family pet.
Regular grooming will help limit skin conditions while cleaning their teeth helps prevent gum disease. Maintaining a healthy weight through the right food and regular exercise will ensure your dog doesnt get obese.
Taking your Golden Retriever to obedience school and training and dog-proofing your house, as well as supervision and attention, will reduce stress levels, minimize , and also reduce your dogs risk of injury.
Bigger Dogs Lead Shorter Lives
Big dogs, in general, dont get to stay around as long as their smaller counterparts. Why this happens is still a mystery. After all, it flies in the face of other mammals. After all, elephants live longer than mice!
Why doesnt this apply to dogs?
New research has determined that larger dogs actually age more rapidly than smaller ones. They live their lives larger and faster. That being said, this doesnt ring true for all dogs. A Border Collie lifespan is approximately the same as a golden, though they are almost half the weight.
Most people equate one dog year to seven human years, but this is a misleading generalization. It all depends on the size of the dog. Scientists have concluded that for every 4.4 pounds of weight a dog has, their life expectancy is reduced by one month.
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Male Golden Retriever Life Expectancy Is Longer Than Female True Or False
Golden Retriever life expectancy is between ten and twelve years. In reality, females live an average of 11.3 years, while males live 10.7 years. This isnt an enormous difference since both genders are susceptible to the same genetic illnesses.
However, this doesnt mean there arent distinctions between female and male Goldens. Males are heavier than females. They could weigh anywhere from 10 to 20 pounds heavier.
Recent research has found that larger dogs age faster than smaller dogs. They live longer and move more quickly. However, this isnt true for all breeds of dogs. The Border Collies lifespan is approximately the same as a golden, though they are almost half the weight.
The majority of people compare one dog year with seven human years. However, this is not a valid generalization. It is all dependent upon the weight of the pet. Researchers have found that for every 4.4 pounds of weight a dog weighs, its life expectancy is reduced by one month.
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Cold Spring Mountain Retrievers
In order to deliver top-notch Golden Retriever puppies, Cold Spring Mountain Retrievers aim to go above and beyond the call of duty. Based in east Tennessee, they are dedicated hobby breeders that focus on breeding for traits including wellness, personality, appearance, and beauty.
Because they consider European Golden Retrievers or the English Crèmeand White Goldens to be the greatest of the best, they exclusively sell those. Cold Spring Mountain Retrievers wants you to be happy with your puppy purchase, and they will work with you to address any difficulties that may arise.
Puppies cost $2,500 and include a 2-year health guarantee. A $500 deposit is required to reserve your puppy. If the client wants, they can send pups to all the states, but it would often cost an additional $600.
The $600 covers an airplane fare, a good shipment crate, and a vet health certificate. When the puppy is prepared to move into its permanent home, the vet will have advised frequent deworming and age-appropriate vaccinations. At the time of the announcement of the litter, a documentation of all vaccinations and dewormings will be given.
Most important info:
Location address: Chuckey, Tennessee, United States
Phone number: 423-620-0668
Socials:
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Most Common Causes Of Death
It has been discussed that cancer is the leading cause of death in Golden retrievers, but the most common type of malignancy to look out for is Hermangiosarcoma, the most common form of cancer, Lymphosarcoma, and Osteosarcoma.
Golden retrievers are also prone to cardiac and respiratory diseases. One heart disease commonly found in Goldens is known as Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis . This is when the aorta blood vessel responsible for taking oxygenated blood out of the heart narrows, making it increasingly difficult for the heart to push out the blood.
A common cause of death in Golden retrievers is Gastric Dilation Volvulus or GDV. This is more commonly known as Bloat. GDV is a serious health condition that can cause death within hours if left untreated. This is when the stomach rapidly expands with food, gas, and/or fluid.
GDV often occurs when a pet eats too much trash or food. This is common in large breed dogs with deep chests such as Great Danes, Dobermans, and Golden Retrievers.
Golden Retriever Lifespan Increases By Managing Their Weight
If you keep your retriever lean and give them just enough amount of quantitative food helps them a lot in living longer. Balance weight decreases the chances of hip and joint pain, heart disease, and thyroid disorders. Your kindness with foods and treats causes them to gain weight deducting years from their life. A little less feeding leads to longer and qualitative life.
According to a research study, dogs feed with 25% less than the control groups lived a long life of 1.8 years. So, if you truly love your control your emotions and give them only the required amount of food.
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Faqs Related To Golden Retriever Lifespan
1) Can a golden retriever live for 15 years?
Yes, they can. Even though it is a rare occurrence but is still possible. On average, the Golden Retriever life expectancy is 10 to 12 years according to American Kennel Club .
There is a decline noticed in their life span with passing time as the average Golden Retriever lifespan in the 1970s was 16 to 17 years which has been now reduced to 10 to 12 years.
2) What is the most common cause of death among Golden Retrievers?
Cancer is the most common cause of death in Golden Retrievers. Approximately around 60 percent of the deaths are caused by cancer in Golden.
If we split it down by gender, 56 percent of deaths are caused by cancer in female Golden Retrievers and around 66 percent in males.
3) How can you take care of a senior golden retriever?
A senior Golden Retriever needs a specific care routine to stay healthy.
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Make sure that you are not negligent while feeding your dog. The diet you are giving to your Golden is crucial. Keep a lid on low-quality dog food with lesser nutritional values. Proteins, minerals, and vitamins are essential to keep your dog away from future diseases.
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If the dog food does not have adequate nutrition, take aid from supplements. Keep your Goldies hydrated with fluids. This help flushes out toxins and prevents kidney damage.
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Watching over your Goldens weight by not overfeeding him is not being cruel. Obesity can prove to be savage for their health.
Feture images source: unsplash.com
Studying The Golden Retriever Life Expectancy
While no one knows quite why the life expectancy of the Golden Retriever has decreased over the years, the Morris Animal Foundation is trying to find out exactly why. The foundation began a study in 2012 with over 3,000 purebred dogs partaking in the studys observation.
The goal is to study these Golden Retrievers over the years to discover exactly what is affecting the for this breed. The study includes a 50-50 split of male and female Golden Retrievers, with half the dogs being fixed, and the other half not.
The study, which will be the longest and largest survey of canines ever done, is still going to take about another decade to complete, although certain preliminary results have been released concerning cancer in this breed and a number of other factors that affect the lifespan of the Golden Retriever.
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Whats The Average Lifespan Of A Golden Retriever
The lifespan of a Golden Retriever is about 10-12 years. There are some cases in which Golden Retrievers can live 15 years or longer. While it would be wonderful, it is very rare and the stars would have to align just right.
Even though 10 to 12 years may not seem like that long to you, it doesnt mean that your dog hasnt lived a long life. This is because all dogs, no matter what breed, age faster than humans. Weve all heard that one dog year equals seven human years as far as aging goes. We hate to break it to you, but this isnt entirely true.
As it turns out, the dog aging process is a lot more complicated than that. Dogs age more quickly than we originally thought. For all dog breeds, no matter the size, the first year of a dogs life is equivalent to about 15 human years according to the dog age chart.
According to that same chart, a dog that is 5 years old is the equivalent of 36 human years. But after age 5, the age of a dog in human years varies depending on the breed. Since Golden Retrievers fall into the category of large breed dogs, a Golden Retriever that is 12 years old would actually be around 77 years old in human years.
Develop A Network Of Dog Lovers
In addition to being fun and potentially forming long-term friendships, participating in or attending dog-related activities can keep you better-informed.
Ask your vet any questions you have regarding your golden.
Attend dog shows and talk with âdog peopleâ to learn as much as you can about your goldenâs well-being.
Usually, there are many goldens in obedience, conformation, rally, and agility at dog shows.
Dog lovers usually love to talk about dog-related matters. Especially about goldens if thatâs âtheir breed.â
Join a dog clubor even one for golden retriever owners only.
The more well-informed we are, the better we can care for our special canines.
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Hematopoietic Disease In Golden Retrievers
Normally, the body can regulate its own blood pressure and fluid volume without outside help. However, issues in hematopoesis can cause high or low blood pressure, blood clots, edema , and even shock.
Hematopoietic Disease is responsible for 15.0 percent of all deaths in Golden Retrievers.
Causes of Hematopoietic Disease in Golden Retriever
The causes of hematopoietic problems usually involve inflammation and immune responses gone wrong. This can cause congestion, hemorrhage, and many more problems.
How to Prevent Hematopoietic Disease in Golden Retrievers
Talk to your veterinarian if your dog`s gums or skin look very pale or very red. It`s also a good idea to talk to your vet if your dog is experiencing exercise intolerance. Many parasites can cause internal bleeding, so you should have your dog on flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives all year round.
Here is a good flea and tick prevention medication .
What Is The Most Popular Color Of Golden Retrievers
There are many color variations of the Golden Retrievers, among which one does stand out the most. The one that you see the most, whenever a Golden Retriever passes by with their owner.
The most common hue of Golden Retrievers is the standard golden shade, thus the term standard. They represent the breed in its purest form and are what most people picture when they think of Golden Retrievers. They will always have a beautiful, brilliant coat of gold that is neither too light nor too dark.
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Golden Retriever Lifespan: Early Examinations Give Insight
The study, although initiated five years ago, has not given any clear results yet, mainly because the 3,000 dogs have been signed only in March 2015. However, early examinations appear to show that 33 percent of the dogs, which are 1 to 5 years old, were victims of skin disease or ear infections. Furthermore, 17 percent had gastrointestinal illnesses, and 11 percent had a urinary disease. To conduct the study properly, dogs are medically treated, as usual, so the results do not get skewed.
Breeders, handlers and pet owners are asked to log everything, from a move across the country or across town, a change in the diet, climate or time zone, the arrival of a new baby at home, or the apparition of new behavioral changes.
Visits to veterinary practices occur regularly so vets can collect blood and nail samples, hair, feces, and anything else that would matter to scientifically understand what is happening within the breed, especially when the dogs get sick. The objective with scientific data is to uncover a common thread or lay bare early warning signs among dogs that develop cancer and other diseases. More than samples, vets hold a journal checking for changes in blood pressure, sleeping patterns, diet, temperature and any detail that may explain illness.
Up until now, seven Golden retrievers who took place in this study have died of medical conditions such as cancer and gastrointestinal problems. One golden was hit by a car, and another one dropped out after its owner died.
Other Golden Retriever Health Concerns
While cancer is the main cause of death in Golden Retrievers, there are a variety of other health concerns to be aware of in this breed.
This dog does not do well under stressful situations, and Golden Retrievers that are left alone for too long or excluded from family activities can develop a variety of stress-induced chronic conditions.
Stress in a dog leads to the release of cortisol and adrenaline which can negatively impact health and lead to a weakened immune system, loss of appetite or diarrhea, and urination problems.
Other health ailments that can affect your Golden Retriever include gastrointestinal illnesses, urinary disease, gingivitis and gum disease, pathologic jaw fracture, kidney, liver and heart disease.
About one-third of these dogs also get some form of skin disease or ear infection early on in life and so regular grooming is a necessity for these excessive shedders.
Like most big dogs, Golden Retrievers are also prone to hip and joint problems.
While this health issue might not lead to death, reduced mobility can greatly impact the quality of life of your Golden Retriever.
Lots of exercise and a good diet will help to limit the impact of joint problems in this breed.
Some other diseases to be aware of include hypothyroidism, eye disorders, mast cell tumors and seizures.
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Ensure Good Dental Hygiene
Just like us, a dogâs dental hygiene can affect their overall health.
Without good dental hygiene, a dog can have periodontal disease. Bacteria can enter the blood system and affect organs, attacking the kidneys, liver, heart, and lungs.
Unfortunately, 80 percent of dogs show dental disease by the age of three.
Many vets recommend brushing your dogâs teeth on a regular basis. Daily is best.
Itâs good to have your vet check out whether your goldenâs teeth need to be cleanedor if any need to be pulled.
I brush my dogsâ teeth daily. And, when the vet indicates that they should be professionally cleaned, I take her advice.
Life Expectancy Of Dogs: How Long Will My Dog Live
This content was reviewed by veterinarian Dr. Elizabeth Racine, DVM.
To keep the lights on, we receive affiliate commissions via some of our links. Our review process.
Larger animals tend to live longer than smaller ones . Think about it. Humans live longer than cats, which live longer than a rat, which lives longer than a fly. But why isnt this true when it comes to animals within their species?
A person who weighs 150 pounds will most likely live longer than a person who weighs 300 pounds. They live longer because of increased health risks for the person who weighs 300 pounds.
When it comes to dogs life expectancy, how can you compare a Great Dane to a Chihuahua? Their anatomic builds are completely different, and their lifespans reflect this. Beyond size, is there an average age of a dog based on breed or other factors? Yes. Let us explore this subject further.
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Bigger Dogs Have Shorter Lifespans
Unfortunately, it is a fact that larger dogs do not live as long as smaller dogs. This does not only apply to Golden Retrievers. Scientists dont understand the reasons behind this. A study published in the American Naturalist showed that larger dogs age at an accelerated pace and showed that for every 4.4 pounds of body mass, a dogs life expectancy goes down by one month. While this sounds both incredibly unfair and terrifying, there is still no conclusive explanation as to why this is true. Scientists speculate that larger breeds grow at an accelerated rate from puppy to adult than smaller dogs. This may cause a higher likelihood of abnormal cell growth which can lead to cancer or cause larger dogs to succumb to age-related illnesses quicker than their smaller counterparts.