How long have your dogs lived?

Question

What type of breed/mix and what was the reason for their death? I know small dogs live longer than large dogs, but I'd like to see the variation in ages and reasons. For example, our dogs while I was growing up were usually shih tzus and dachshunds, the one that died the youngest was 10 (respiratory problems) and the oldest was 18 (died in a seizure)

Answer 1

I just had to put my dog to sleep this afternoon. He was a 10 year, 3 month old Yellow Labrador Retriever. He suddenly developed some weird disease called ammune-aquired hemolytic anemia. He was completely health one day and less than two weeks later, his muscles had wasted away to virtually nothing. It's the saddest thing I've ever had to go through...but he was by far the best and sweetest dog in the world. Labs are just wonderful dogs.

"I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive." - Gilda Radner

Answer 2

I second the message to alchololdemon - get the dog vet checked. A simply treated bladder infection a not uncommon cause of incontenence AND the other common cause of old age incontence in the dog (lack of muscle tone) can be treated rather simply with a fairly inexpensive medication - PPA.. My oldest whippet (who will be 15 next month) has been on it since she was 9.

Answer 3

15 years

Answer 4

My Boston Terriers have always lived to be 12 or 13, and all of them have been put to sleep but one. One female of mine, who had been a momma dog and came to my home to retire, had a vaginal hernia that required surgery. (Yes, her vagina was hanging out...) Rather than put her through all of that at such an age (13), when she had had such a happy life and was beginning to suffer from arthritis, hearing loss, and cataracts, we chose to put her to sleep. Her sister, who had also retired to my home, and was 12 years old, had kidney problems soon after, and eventually we had to put her down as well. My other Bostons have all reached a happy, old age as well. Most of them develop cataracts and become arthritic and it just becomes a matter of judgement on my part as to when their quality of life drops below what I feel they deserve. After all that they do for me, it's the least I can do for them...

My American Eskimo/terrier mix developed Addison's disease, which is a hormone problem that humans can also have. She was on increasing doses of expensive medication for a couple of years before I decided she was in too much discomfort to enjoy life anymore. She was the best dog ever, and the hardest to let go. She was 9.

I am fortunate to have never had to lose a dog to a tragedy such as being hit by a car, other accidents, or another dog. They have all gone quietly in my arms.

Answer 5

My terripoo mix died basically of old age at around 16. There was no specific problem--he just got old and tired and quit eating and drinking no matter what we did.

My miniature Schnauzer was probably in her late teens when she contracted Cushing's Disease. She was already blind and deaf, and when this happened, she would walk in tight circles for hours until she was literally exhausted. She was miserable. We had her put down.

My Pomeranian is about 11 now and is going strong, knock wood.

Answer 6

My German shepherd just passed away. She was about 11 years old. She lived with kidney failure for almost 4 years. In the end I had to put her to sleep since her kidney levels jumped to 4 times the normal level and she was slowing wasting away. It is hard to say goodbye but sometimes they are in too much pain to let them linger on. All dogs are different. Also alcaholicdemon, sometimes when animals can’t control their pee they have a bladder infection, so you might want to have your vet check it out.

Answer 7

Great Dane. She was 11. Bone cancer made her life unbearable. We had to help her to Cross over.

Shepard/collie mix She was 18. Arthritis crippled her.

Dane Mix She was 2. She had a neurological event that totally paralyzed her.

Answer 8

Well, I had a Shar-pei, her name was Mocha. She was 13 years old and died of a heart attack. Sadly this happened in 2004. I still miss her so much and hug and sleep with her ashes over my grief. But, I pray to her. Shar-pei's are very loyal dogs

Answer 9

i have had 2 rat terriors . when i was a small child i had a small one and he lived for 10 years, not sure why he died, he was half way out of his dog house. probly heart worms. now i have a larger terrior and she is 9 and thank goodness still with me, but she is in declining health. she cant control her pee. my husband thinks we should put her to sleep, but as long as she can still move i will never do that. i had a cat put to sleep 5 years ago and it liked to killed me , i said i wouldnt do that again. but poor thing had feline aids.

Answer 10

The oldest pooch we had was named Candy. She was a mutt. Average size. medium, I guess you would say. Her back legs gave out and we had to put her down at age 19. She was blind in one eye, and somewhat deaf, but a sweeter, more gentle, wonderful animal there never was. I miss her to this day.