A dog’s life is delicate and explosive at the same time. While they don’t live as long as we do, they make sure every second is full of smiles and playtime.
It's something we often take for granted, sometimes forgetting that our time with them has an end. It’s easy to think our best friends are never going to leave us until we see signs that they will.
Dogs can live up to 10 to 13 years, which is the average among all dogs of different breeds. However, this can depend on things such as genetics, health, and overall care.
With that, we're here to share everything you need to know about how long dogs live and how you can keep your best friend around for longer.
The Life Cycle of a Dog
Dogs go through several stages in life. Each will have unique needs, health requirements, and experiences. The exact ages may vary based on breed.
Puppyhood (0 to 6 Months)
This is the most active growth stage. It’s the stage where newborn dogs learn about the world and start exploring, interacting, and socializing. Puppies will need high-quality nutrition to support their bodies’ development.
Puppyhood is also the stage when they’re trained to build good habits and given their first doses of pet vaccinations.
Adolescence (6 to 24 Months)
The adolescent stage is similar to the teenage years of humans. It’s a period of energy, curiosity, and behavioral changes. Plus, dogs will have hormonal shifts, sexual maturity, and continued growth.
Adulthood (2 to 7 Years)
This stage is when dogs are fully grown and have completed their development. Adulthood is considered the mature or stable phase, where dogs are much calmer. Here, their physical capabilities reach their peaks.
Senior Years (7+ Years)
During a dog’s senior years, the signs of aging will start to appear. They may start to gradually slow down, develop physical changes, and have less sensitive senses. Generally, smaller dogs have their senior years at 11 to 12 years, while giant dogs are seniors at 5 to 7 years old.
What Affects a Dog’s Lifespan?
How long dogs live usually depends on several factors. These factors vary from the moment they are born to the kind of home they live in. Here’s what affects a dog’s lifespan:
Breed
The most common denominator in a dog’s life is its breed. Generally, smaller breeds tend to live longer lives than bigger dogs. Larger breeds are more susceptible to certain diseases, such as cancer, arthritis, and several orthopedic issues.
Another thing worth mentioning is that larger dogs tend to have a faster growth rate than smaller dogs. This also translates to faster cell growth, which is why larger dogs tend to succumb to cancers more than smaller dogs. Here’s a quick overview of how long each dog breed lives:
Dog Size | Lifespan | Breed Examples |
|---|---|---|
Small (Less than 10 kg) | 10 - 15 years | Yorkies, Maltese, Pomeranians, Chihuahuas |
Medium (11 to 25 kg) | 10 - 13 years | |
Large (26 to 45 kg) | 10 - 12 years | Labrador Retrievers, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers |
Giant (More than 45 kg) | 8 - 10 years | Great Danes, Newfoundlands, Saint Bernards, Tibetan Mastiffs |
Genetics
When it comes to their lifespan, mixed breeds tend to live longer than purebred dogs, mainly because of their genetic makeup. Here, mixed-breed dogs will have a broader gene pool, which decreases the chance of acquiring a significant inherited disease.
Diet and Nutrition
A dog’s diet can significantly affect how long it lives. A healthy diet and nutritious food always translate to a better chance of acquiring longer lives. This is because good food can help your dog’s body develop properly, preventing any avoidable diseases from occurring.
This includes lean meats, whole foods, and unprocessed ingredients. Foods rich in omega-3 fats, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals are some of the best choices. Examples of good options include blueberries, bone broth, fish, and eggs.
Exercise
Regular exercise can go a long way in improving a dog’s life and longevity. It helps keep a dog’s joints strong and its heart healthy. Exercise can also provide mental stimulation through play, training, and interactive toys.
The type of exercise can be based on the breed of your dog. In general, any kind of exercise can be a good start. Daily walks with your dog are a good place to start. If you need help with specific exercise routines, our partner dog trainers will be ready to assist you.
Mental Health
Just like humans, dogs can experience sadness. Chronic stress and anxiety are detrimental to your dog’s physical health. Boredom can lead to unhappiness in dogs, which ultimately helps them develop negative behaviors.
Depression is a serious topic when it comes to a dog’s health. If your dog is not feeling well inside, they’ll lose focus on eating, playing, or even interacting. It can also result in inconsistent sleeping patterns and destructive behaviors.
Living Conditions
Your dog’s living conditions are a big factor in how long dogs live. The environment they live in and interact with can affect their lifestyle, behavior, and routines. When they’re at risk of accidents or stress, their quality of life can decline significantly.
Veterinary Care
Consistent veterinary care helps dogs live longer. From routine preventive treatments to accurate diagnostics, dogs with regular vet care have a much better chance at living a longer life. Professional care is something that can completely improve a dog’s lifespan.
How to Help Your Dog Live Longer
Helping your dogs live longer starts with you. Our dogs depend on us for their care, which is why we need to give it our all. Here are a few tips:
Keep Your Dog Healthy
The easiest way to improve your dog’s life and longevity is by providing a consistent and nutritious diet. This means providing the building blocks for growth, nutrition, and overall health. You can start with several high-quality commercial dog foods that are approved by vets.
As previously mentioned, whole foods, lean meats, and unprocessed ingredients are helpful, so you can add those as treats. We can also recommend using probiotics for dogs.
Play with Your Dog
Having regular playtime or walks with your dog is one of the best ways to help improve their lives. Depending on the breed, dogs can benefit a ton from just 30 minutes to 2 hours of walks a day. If you manage your dog’s weight, its body will be stronger, healthier, and more durable.
Visit the Vet Regularly
Routine checkups and visits can help monitor your dog’s health. Plus, vet visits are perfect times to provide the routine treatments your dog needs. Vaccinations, in particular, are essential for a dog’s protection. They can shield your dog from severe diseases that don’t have a cure.
Deworming treatments are also important, as they protect dogs from parasites that can’t be spotted easily. Plus, you can also have your dog spayed or neutered. By doing so, you can prevent several diseases and eliminate certain behaviors.
Provide a Comfortable Environment
Lastly, provide a safe and comfortable space for your dog. When they feel great and have a safe home, they can live longer and happier lives. You can start with a soft bed, a couple of toys, and a clean home.
“Our dogs trust us with their lives. Let’s do everything we can to care for them in return.”
- Dr. Soheyl Simaei
Final Thoughts
A dog’s life can go by in an instant. Dogs live for about 10 to 13 years on average, and it’s not even close to how long we live. Because of this, we have to do everything we can to make sure our best friends live healthy and happy lives.
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