Bluey, the oldest dog ever
was an Australian Cattle Dog who died at an age of 29 years 5
monthsVs
Jean Louise Calment of
France died in 1997 who was the oldest person to have ever
lived with an age of 122 years and 164 days.
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 years equalling 4.2 dog year. Itโs easy to see
that the popularly believed 7-year theory doesnโt always
hold up.
This is simply because there are more than a few factors
that can determine the lifespan of a dog.The size of the
animal is an important determinant. Itโs seen that smaller
dogs usually live longer than the large breeds. Itโs also
important to note that a dog reaches maturity much faster.
In terms of rate of
maturity, a dogโs 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 dogโs 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 dogโs 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 life expectancy of dogs depends on size
and specific-breed. However, there are some factors you can
control that may increase your dogโs lifespan. Simple
habits and effective medical care can work in favor of your
dogโs 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 life
expectancy of dogs.
Eliminate
Overfeeding:
If you think feeding your dog a โlittleโ more wonโt 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 in warding off certain life-threatening
diseases and can potentially increase your dogโs lifespan
by 1 to 3 years. This simple medical procedure can keep
diseases such as testicular cancer, uterine cancer, breast
cancer, and prostrated problems at bay.
Keep Your Dogโs Teeth
Healthy:
Poor dental health can potentially release harmful bacteria
into the dogโs bloodstream . Maintain a proper dental care
routine using proper dog
toothpaste and brush.
Give Them The 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:
Keep your dog protected from factors that induce panic and
stress. This will reduce the secretion of stress hormones
and help boost immunity.
Donโt Buy Questionable
Dietary Products and Supplements:
Buy supplements and dog food that are manufactured by
reputed pet care companies. At PetCareRx, we feature
FDA-approved dog food brands and supplements that are
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 dogโs life expectancy. While those are equally
important, some specific food items can strengthen your
dogโs 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:
Curd is a great source of probiotic, which can keep your
poochโs gastrointestinal system in shipshape. Yoghurt 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 is known to improve cardiac
health and boost immunity. Apart from improving immunity,
fish oil also helps in combating inflammation and it can
add a healthy shine to your dogโs coat.
Peppermint:
Both natural and supplementary forms of fish oil is known
to improve cardiac health and boost immunity. Apart from
improving immunity, fish oil also helps in combating
inflammation and it can add a healthy shine to your dogโs
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. Donโt 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, itโs 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 had a loving connection with your pet.
Donโt Ignore Your
Health: Even though it may
seem impossible but 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 their environment? Want a pooch
whoโs curious and always exploring? Be careful what you
wish for! The most intelligent dogs often out-wit 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 youโre 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 are 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. Thereโs 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 the Border Collie 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 surroundingsโalert to even the smallest changesโgiven
their sheep
herding origins.Because of their ivermectin
sensitivity, make sure to use heartworm medication
like Sentine for
dogsl 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 to drive out rats and other vermin.
Given the breedโs 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 โfirehouse dog,โ 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. Theyโre 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 wonโt
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
their own character traits. Those who have rescued a pet
will often say thereโs something different about
a rescue. Dogs who
have been through the ringer 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. Itโs 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 they
can be every bit as clever.
*Dog
Intelligence by Sheppard Software
More on Choosing a Dog
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Small to Medium Dog
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