I have a black lab/shepherd/boxer/cattle dog mix (I know- crazy but this is what they told me when I adopted her, and she does look a little like each of those, but mostly lab). She is almost 8. I've heard her referred to as a senior. I don't think of her that way at all. We walk/run for almost an hour daily so I would say she's in pretty good shape, after losing several pounds (she got a bit tubby there for awhile). She definitely seems more prone to injuries/soreness than she used to, but I think of her as a young thing still because she loves to play like a puppy. Can you tell me what you think the lifespan of a dog of this type would be?
2006-12-15 06:21:50 · 7 answers · asked by TM 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
So much of that depends on the breed and the lifestyle. You have noticed she's not quite the puppy she used to be, but she's still obviously very active. Watch the weight loss at this age, though, because in older dogs, that can be a sign of trouble. The general consesus says that the age a dog "becomes a senior" is 7. I would say a dog that size/breed could live anywhere from 10 to 15 years. My mother had a Siberian Husky (average lifespan per the "experts" say about 10 years) and Donder lived to be 16!!! Alex, my Siberian, was almost 13 years old when I had to put her down (doggie alzheimers). Try not to think how much longer your dog will live; just enjoy whatever time God gives you with her.
2006-12-15 07:06:10 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the breed. Larger breeds usually live between 8 and 12 years on average. Smaller breeds can live as long as 22 years. The average for a small dog is about 15 years.
2016-03-29 08:27:55 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi!
They call any dog that is 8 or older "senior," even if the dog still acts like a puppy.
Most dogs live between 10-12 years, but I have a friends who has a large dog that is 15!
So, keep exercising, feed her well and give her lots of love!
2006-12-15 07:02:30 · answer #3 · answered by riptide_71 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The life span of a dog tends to vary based on size an breed. Large dogs, on average, do not live as long as smaller dogs.
**Lab: 10 to 12 years
prone to hip and elbow dysplasia
**Boxer: 11 to 14 years
prone to hip dysplasia and heart problems
**Shepherd: 13 years
prone to hip and elbow dysplasia
**Cattle Dog: 12 to 15 years
prone to hip dysplasia
Based on the life spans of your dog's breeds I would estimate she has at least 4 years left. But it is possible hip/elbow dysplasia will set it within the next year or so. There are treatment to comfort her but nothing to cure it. Just make sure she gets regular check ups, you take her to the vet if you suspect anything is wrong, and just keep giving her your love.
2006-12-15 08:47:47 · answer #4 · answered by clj2791 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like a very well cared for and exercised dog. Are you giving her glucosamine yet as a preventative to help out her joints? That would probably be good for her. If you keep her weight down and continue on as you are now, I don't see why she couldn't live another 6 years. The oldest dog I knew was a 23 year old Afghan hound, who though mostly blind and deaf, still enjoyed his life thoroughly.
2006-12-15 07:21:10 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you have a medium/large dog. The average life expectancies of all those dogs you mentioned in her mix would probably be between 12-14 years.
As long as she continues to do well, don't worry. Other people may think she's older, but you know she's a puppy at heart!
2006-12-15 06:55:26 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
if youre taking good care of it, which it sounds like you are, she should live to be 10-12. thats about how long all her breeds live.
2006-12-15 06:57:16 · answer #7 · answered by kissamoose217 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋