Vet Blog

It is impossible to predict exactly how long an individual pet will live, but there are some factors that you can look at that will give you a general idea of what you might expect for your dog.  In general, small dogs tend to live the longest.  Life spans in the range of 15 to 18 years are not out of the ordinary for pets weighing less than 20 pounds.  At the other end of the spectrum, giant breeds like Great Danes or Irish Wolfhounds often develop terminal illnesses when they are only 6 to 9 years old.  The mid-sized pets tend to live from 10 to 15 years.  12 is now average for dogs in general.

Of course, size isn’t the only factor that determines a dog’s life expectancy.  Mixed breed dogs tend to live longer than do purebreds.  Many potentially life threatening disorders have a genetic basis.  Some breeds or family lines within breeds are extremely prone to heart disease, cancer, musculoskeletal disorders, or other problems that can limit a pet’s longevity.  But owners can still do a lot to prevent illness.  Good nutrition, maintaining a healthy weight, regular exercise, routine preventative health care, and protection from traumatic injury are all very important.