My neighbor recently put her German Shepard to sleep when he was about twelve or thirteen and I had my Pomerian for at least fourteen years (I'm estimating). I was wondering why smaller dogs usually live longer than bigger ones. Does it have anything to do with genetics?
2007-06-30 17:19:06 · 10 answers · asked by Daphne 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
poms yay for poms i think its little heart is pawerful im doing a pom dance
2007-06-30 17:24:21 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Generally, yeah; dogs under 35 pounds live longer than dogs weighing over a hundred. Life expectancy for a Maltese is 12-15; for a Mastiff it's 7-9 years.
2016-05-19 23:47:23 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Little dogs most commonly live longer due to less taxation on the heart. Of course, we are not considering here genetics or problems associated with extensive "pedigree" breeding or undiagnosed problems or parentage of "mutts," or....
My last old girl (a pom) came from a shelter at two. A lot of baggage, as with most rescues, and the shelter wouldn't let her go to anyone but us. After a few years of lots of love and patience, she ruled! We just put her "down" in March at the age of 17--two insulin shots per day, daily testing, blind as a bat, deaf as a post, but up until "the time," boy!, what a little loveable, bossy, spit-fire of a brat!
2007-06-30 17:37:12 · answer #3 · answered by raven 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it has to do with a couple of things. First, they don't usually get the hip dysplasia problems that larger dogs get. Also, because they are smaller and weigh less, they have less strain on their heart. Could be other reasons, too.
2007-06-30 17:24:06 · answer #4 · answered by crjesq 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have heard that little dogs live longer because their hearts don't have to work as hard. Since they are smaller. That is what I have heard not sure if it is true, but it makes sense.
2007-06-30 17:23:40 · answer #5 · answered by nima 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well it's like cars. trucks never last as long because they need more power to run. like a large dog's heart and other organs must work harder to keep the dog alive. but with cars or small dogs they need lease power therefore letting them last longer.
2007-06-30 17:32:10 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
They have more energy. Personally, little dogs scare me. I love the big fluffy protecting kind.
2007-06-30 17:35:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't know. But I hope my little dog lives long like yours!
2007-06-30 18:33:35 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Less stress on their hearts
2007-06-30 17:36:57 · answer #9 · answered by sekalyma 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my one beagle made it to 22 years of age.
2007-06-30 17:22:53 · answer #10 · answered by Michael M 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋