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Invest in a Lifetime of Love: Choosing a Dog Breed for Maximum Dog Longevity

Indre Jasineviciute PhD, DVM
4 min readApr 3, 2024

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Our furry best friends hold a pawprint on our hearts, and the thought of saying goodbye is unbearable.

We all dream of a magic trick to extend their playful years. While things like good food, exercise, and sunshine are important, a dog’s breed also affects how long they stay by our side. Exciting new research has unveiled a treasure trove of information about different dog lifespans. Forget the old guessing games — this study gives us a real breakdown!

By understanding how breeds influence lifespan, we can make great choices about our pups and potentially create more golden years together.

Photo by KoolShooters : https://www.pexels.com/photo/brown-pomeranian-dog-7683643/

What do we know about breed longevity until now?

Despite our long history with dogs, a surprising mystery surrounds their lifespans.

While some breeds, like West Highland White Terriers, enjoy a long life averaging 13.5 years, others like Rottweilers face a shorter lifespan of around 8 years. This variation raises questions about the impact of selective breeding on canine health. Interestingly, mixed breed dogs tend to live longer than purebreds, possibly due to a wider gene pool and reduced risk of inheriting diseases.

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Indre Jasineviciute PhD, DVM
Indre Jasineviciute PhD, DVM

Written by Indre Jasineviciute PhD, DVM

Pioneering animal researcher enhancing animal well-being.

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