Life Expectancy of Large Breed Dogs

>As stated above, the large breed dog approaches
Large breed dogs have a shorter life expectancysenior years starting around six years old. To keep
than smaller breeds which is unfortunate for theour large friends in good health, make sure they are
owner/guardians of large breed dogs. We love ourgiven well balanced meals with high quality ingredients.
big dogs even knowing their time with us will beA good diet in combination with regular exercise and
short. We don’t focus on the quantity of timeregular visits to the vet will keep your dog in good
but the quality of time we spend together. Sharinghealth and hopefully increase their longevity.
our homes with our big fur balls is like having a smallThere are some factors that are beyond the control
piece of heaven for our own.of the pet owner. Some inherited illnesses and
Everyone has probably heard of the term "dogdiseases that are common in some breeds should be
years". The myth that a dog ages seven years tomonitored by the breeder and hopefully will be
every one year of human life is just that, a myth.disclosed to you when you are inquiring about
There is no accurate guideline that can be followedselecting a puppy from a breeder. Hip dysplasia,
because dogs age more quickly in puppy stage thencardiomyopathy and hypothyroidism are just three of
they do in later years. Also, different breeds of dogsthe inherited diseases some large breed dogs may
actually age differently with large breed dogsencounter. Do your research and find out what
remaining puppies until the age of eighteen months todiseases are most common in the breed of dog you
two years. By the same rate, large breed dogs canare interested in. Then find an informed reputable
become senior citizens by the age of six years.breeder that is working on improving the breed.
Feeding a large breed puppy a managed diet isSpayed and neutered animals tend to live longer then
important. Make sure the puppy's diet is not rich inunaltered animals. Altered animals tend not to roam
fats and served in moderate portions. For a largeas much and appear to have a reduced risk of some
breed puppy it is better to feed three small meals acancers. The age of the animal at the time of
day instead of one or two large meals. Even thoughneutering should be well thought out and discussed
the puppy is large, the digestive tract is smaller inwith your breeder and vet. It was considered
proportion to a smaller dog. We don't want theappropriate at one time to neuter your animal
puppy to become overweight as this may shorten hisbetween the ages of six and nine months. Now after
her lifespan and we want to ensure he/she receivesmany studies it has been brought forth that dogs in
all the nutrients they need. Ensuring our large breedsports or competitions should not be neutered until
friends are healthy and well cared for may extendafter they reach one year of age. Also other studies
their time with us to the max. Many of the injurieshave been released that states some cancer and
and ailments that strike our dogs have their origins indiseases may be linked to having your animal
our dogs being overweight. It has been estimatedneutered. Which is correct? No one can say definitely
that 23% of the dogs in the United States are eitherwhich the correct answer is until further studies have
overweight or obese. Just look around you the nextbeen done. As long as there are statistics there will
time you are in a pet store or out walking your dog;be conflicting information regarding any subject. You
are the dogs you see overweight? It is so veryas a pet owner/guardian need to ask questions of
important that you do the research on the breedthe breeder and vet and make decisions that you
you have decided you want to share your homefeel are in your pet's best interest.
with. Knowing beforehand the care and lifeThe average life expectancy of a dog weighing
expectancy of the breed you have chosen will assistbetween 120 and 150 pounds has been shown to be
you in the preparations for raising your new puppy.between 8 and 10 years. Of course this is just
Many large breed dogs suffer from joint ailments.general and in no way can be taken for fact. I've
This is also aggravated by being overweight. Havingknow 5 Rottweilers who have died at six years of
the right nutrition with the correct mix of vitamins,age and a 150 pound Lab that lived to 13 years of
minerals and proteins in the food you give your dogage. We can strive to give our large dogs plenty of
is important. Making sure your dog receives thelove, food and exercise and just hope we have them
exercise and activity level that they need to maintainaround for many years of enjoyment.
their ideal weight is one way to ensure their health.