If we take 29 years of the oldest dog, Bluey, and 122 years of Jean Louise Calment and perform the same calculation, we get 1 human year, equalling 4.2 dog years. It’s easy to see that the popularly believed 7-year theory doesn’t always hold up.
This is simply because more than a few factors can determine a dog's lifespan.The size of the animal is an important determinant. It’s seen that smaller dogs usually live longer than the large breeds. It’s also important to note that a dog reaches maturity much faster. In terms of rate of maturity, a dog’s 1st year is more like 15 years for humans.
A good approach to convert dog-years to human-years is to find out the average lifespan of the breed and the average life expectancy of humans in your country. If you own an Akita in Japan, then your dog’s 1 year equals your 6.9 years
(Average human life expectancy in Japan is 83.1 years and the dog breed Akita has an average lifespan of 12) If you own a Rottweiler in The United States, then your dog’s 1 year equals your 8.7 years
(Average human life expectancy in the US is 78.74 years and the dog breed Rottweiler has an average lifespan of 9 years)
HOW TO ENSURE THAT YOUR DOG
LIVES A LONG AND HEALTHY LIFE
Factors Influencing Life Expectancy Of Dogs
As a responsible pet parent, your primary goal is to ensure your dog lives a happy, healthy, and long life. Now, you already know that the life expectancy of dogs depends on the size and specific breed. However, there are some factors you can control that may increase your dog’s lifespan. Simple habits and effective medical care can work in favor of your dog’s health by boosting its immunity and keeping diseases at bay. While death is an inevitable climax of all life, you can do your part to ensure your dog remains active and healthy for as long as possible. This is exactly why we bring you our list of 7 factors that can influence the life expectancy of dogs.
Eliminate Overfeeding: If you think feeding your dog a ‘little’ more won’t hurt, then think again. Obesity makes dogs susceptible to heart diseases and other life-threatening conditions. According to a study, Labradors fed 25% less lived at an average 2 years longer than dogs who were given more food.
Get Them Neutered: Neutering helps ward off certain life-threatening diseases and can potentially increase your dog’s lifespan by 1 to 3 years. This simple medical procedure can keep diseases such as testicular cancer, uterine cancer, breast cancer, and prostate problems at bay.
Keep Your Dog’s Teeth Healthy: Poor dental health can potentially release harmful bacteria into the dog’s bloodstream. Maintain a proper dental care routine using proper dog toothpaste and brush.
Give Them a Regular Dose of Exercise: Talk to a veterinarian to find out how much exercise your dog needs. A daily dose of exercise keeps the heart healthy and boosts immunity.
Take Them to the Vet for Regular Check-ups: Early detection of illnesses can prove to be the difference between life and death. Take your pet to the vet at least once every 6 months for thorough check-ups.
Don't Create a Stressful Atmosphere: Protect your dog from factors that induce panic and stress. This will reduce the secretion of stress hormones and help boost immunity.
Don’t Buy Questionable Dietary Products and Supplements: Buy supplements and dog food manufactured by reputed pet care companies. At PetCareRx, we feature FDA-approved dog food brands and supplements manufactured by some of the most respected pet care companies on the planet.
Things That Can Boost Your Dog's Immunity and Health
We talked about habits and measures that can help increase your dog’s life expectancy. While those are equally important, some specific food items can strengthen your dog’s immunity and health. We at PetCareRx, understand the importance of providing a well-balanced meal of high-quality kibble, supplements, and natural food.
Unsweetened Yoghurt: Yoghurt is a great source of probiotics, which can keep your pooch’s gastrointestinal system in shape. Yogurt is also one of the best sources of calcium. When buying yoghurt, always choose the unflavoured and unsweetened variety.
Glucosamine and Chondroitin: Glucosamine and Chondroitin have great cartilage-rebuilding properties. They are great for improving joint health and as preventive joint care supplements. At PetCareRx, we feature all the top Glucosamine and Chondroitin products.
Fish Oil: Both natural and supplementary forms of fish oil are known to improve cardiac health and boost immunity. Apart from improving immunity, fish oil also helps combat inflammation and adds a healthy shine to your dog’s coat.
Coconut Oil: Coconut oil comes with a whole range of health benefits. It prevents skin-related problems, acts as a digestive aid, and even lowers the chances of diabetes. Virgin coconut oil supplements can also be applied on skin rashes and dry spots.
COPING WITH THE LOSS OF YOUR BEST FRIEND
6 Ways to Overcome the Sorrow of Losing a Pet Dog
Dealing with the loss of a pet dog is no less traumatic than losing a human family member. The death of a pet can be devastating news, which can push pet parents towards clinical depression or worse. A sudden loss of a pet can hit pet owners with a whole range of emotions right from immense sadness to feelings of regret and guilt. Following are a few suggestions on how to deal with the heartbreak of losing your beloved pet pal.
Talks to People Who Have Been in This Situation: Surround yourself with dog lovers who can empathize and help you through the pain. Seek out people who have lost their pets in the past and learn how they overcame the pain and restarted their lives.
Accept the Grief and Don't Be Ashamed to Express It: One of the biggest steps to cope with the sorrow is to acknowledge its existence. Don’t subdue your feelings; instead, express it openly by letting the tears out.
Don't Allow Anyone to Belittle Your Grief: The sorrow associated with losing a pet is a genuine emotion, and you should not let anyone tell you otherwise. For someone who has never lost a pet, it’s difficult to understand what you are going through. Express your grief and move on at your own pace.
Consider Organizing a Memorial: Calling a few pet-loving friends for a small gathering may help you deal with the pain. Keep the guest list short and only include people who love dogs or have a loving connection with your pet.
Don’t Ignore Your Health: Even though it may seem impossible, try to maintain a healthy routine. Make sure you continue to eat healthily and get your daily 8 hours of sleep.
If Required, Speak to a Doctor: You should consider seeking help from a professional if you think the grief is compromising your physical and mental health.
The 7 Most Intelligent Dog Breeds
So you want a real brainiac for a dog? A pet that learns quickly and is aware of its environment? Want a pooch who’s curious and always exploring? Be careful what you wish for! The most intelligent dogs often outwit their human packs. Opposable thumbs are not necessarily required for things like the opening of doors and crates, or the scaling of high shelving where treats might live. If you’re ready for the challenge and joy of a pet who just may outsmart you, then read on! Our list of some of the smartest pups we know includes some dogs who consistently score high on canine intelligence tests and some who are known by experts and their owners to have a knack for learning and smarts. And since intelligence can be measured in a number of ways, we know this list might not match up with everyone else's. As Dr. Brian Hare, professor at Duke University says, "In reality there are different types of intelligence. Different dogs are good at different things." So, in no particular order, here are seven of the most intelligent dog breeds:
German Shepherds are employed as
guard dogs, tracking dogs, guide dogs for the visually impaired, and as police dogs. There’s a good reason why German Shepherds are so widely used as
working dogs the world over: their ability to learn new things and interpret instructions quickly. The German Shepherd was bred specifically for their intelligence, and has been ranked the third most intelligent breed (behind Border Collies and Poodles) by tests done at the
University of British Columbia.
Just ahead of the Shepherd in canine intelligence is the regal Standard Poodle, originally bred as a water dog in Germany. Because of their keen intelligence, Poodles have been used for centuries as tracking, hunting, and herding dogs. They are also excellent at many dog sports, including games of agility and obedience. Poodles are also known for their ability to sniff out expensive truffles.
The world loves Border Collies for their lively, spirited temperament and their proficiency at dog sports like flyball and Frisbee games. But this breed is also one of the most intelligent, ranking number one on some scales of canine smarts. These dogs are at constant watch over their surroundings—alert to even the smallest changes—given their
sheep herding origins. Because of their ivermectin sensitivity, make sure to use heartworm medication like
Sentinel for dogs to keep them safe.
Dalmatians get their name from their origins in the Dalmatia region in the Republic of Croatia. They were bred to guard, hunt, and drive out rats and other vermin. Given the breed’s lively spotted pattern and high intelligence, the Dalmatian has been used widely in circuses to perform tricks. Of course, Dalmatians are also known as the “firehouse dog,” and are revered by
firefighters for their service in that field. While not always top performers on dog intelligence tests, their tendency to be easily bored is why they make such great working dogs -- their minds need to be engaged.
Basset Hounds are real
family dogs and have a unique intelligence, even if they made #101 on the
University of British Columbia's list. Here's why: hound dogs are bred to have a pack mentality and not to have to rely on a master's commands. Instead of feeling driven to learn commands or tricks, they were bred "to think for themselves while trailing game."* If you find yourself repeating
"sit" commands, remember it might just be because your Basset Hound sees no reason to sit.
These two breeds are among the
most popular in American households. They’re beloved for their gentle spirits, keen minds, and playful nature. If adopting a Retriever, be sure their breeding is trustworthy. Retrievers are commonly bred by unethical breeders or in puppy mills due to their popularity, but inbred or poorly reared Retrievers won’t have the qualities most Retriever-lovers seek.
And don't forget Mutts!
Mixed breed dogs are a roll of the dice, but in reality, so is any dog. They each come with their own personality and character traits. Those who have rescued a pet will often say there’s something different about a
rescue. Dogs who have been through the wringer can seem to reflect a sort of canine gratitude upon their new forever families. Look for a mutt with traits of the breed you favor. It’s often easy to find a mixed-breed who is clearly part-this or part-that. Plus, many vets will agree:
mutts can be healthier and live longer than purebreds and can be as clever.
