By studying 155 different dog breeds, scientists have found out which breed lives the longest and some other interesting findings.
A shiba inu dog. (Photo: feng xu/Getty images).
The British Dog’s Trust UK conducted research on the relationship between longevity and breed, body size, gender and face of 155 different dog breeds and found that Tibetan dogs and shiba inu dogs live longest, while large species such as mastiffs and benards have the shortest lifespans.
According to this study, the average lifespan of a dog is 12.5 years. Among purebred breeds, the five longest-lived are the lancashire heeer, the tibetan, the shiba inu, and the lakeland terrier.
Average lifespan of the 5 longest living purebred dog breeds. Average lifespan of the 5 shortest purebred dog breeds.
All 5 shortest living dog breeds are large sized dogs.
In addition to body size, gender and face are also related to their lifespan. For example, male dogs usually live 0.3 years less than female dogs. This also happens in many other mammals, including humans.
Additionally, dogs with flat faces such as French bulldogs and pugs are 40% more likely to die prematurely than dogs with moderately long faces such as labrador retrievers. ) or golden retriever.
Flat-faced dogs are prone to breathing problems and heart disease, so their lifespans are often short.
Above is the conclusion about purebred dog breeds. As for hybrid dog breeds, the average lifespan is usually 0.7 years higher than that of purebred dogs. For example, the labradoodle dog breed was bred by humans, and is typical in this study.
This study is the first time humans have investigated the relationship between all factors of sex, face, breed, body size and evolution with dog longevity, while previous studies have only Research how each factor relates to their longevity.
Humans began domesticating dogs about 16,000 years ago, but the diversity and richness of dog species as we see today have only appeared in the last 200 years.
Dog breeding by humans has created new breeds of dogs with shorter lifespans. (Photo: Westen61/Getty images).
People began to intentionally create new breeds of dogs to meet the requirements of dogs’ personalities and abilities. For example, the dachshund was created for the purpose of hunting badgers. Their short and small legs and long body help them stay closer to the ground so they can smell better and can get into tight burrows.
Humans have shaped the evolutionary history of dogs for centuries and in turn shaped their lifespan. Artificial breeding methods such as inbreeding, trait selection, and population isolation can reduce genetic diversity and lead to health problems.
Nearly 700 genetic disorders have been recorded in domestic dogs, including hip dysplasia, endocrine disorders and blood disorders.
The study’s lead author, Dr. Kirsten McMillan, hopes that this research will help pet owners make informed choices about the breed of dog they choose to keep and keep them informed. important about their aging process.
Understanding the aging process of your dog will help you take better care of them and prolong their lifespan. (Photo: yellow dog/Getty images).
Knowing your pet’s lifespan not only helps you adjust the amount of time you spend caring for your pet, but also prepares you for potential health challenges, an issue that involves both finances and your pet’s health. your spirit.
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