My dog is approx 8 years old - she is a mongrel, just wondering if this is old?
Some people have told me that dogs live until they are about 15!
I really dont want anything to happen to my girl, shes happy and healthy? Whats your opinion?
2007-09-19 09:18:38 · 36 answers · asked by redcan76 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
She is a german shepard type/size maybe a little smaller
2007-09-19 09:58:54 · update #1
What breed mix is she? Smaller breeds tend to live longer than larger.
I had a 45-lb chow/lab mix live until 14 and probably would have lived longer (he was in awesome physical shape) except for an aggressive, untreatable cancer that just showed up one day out of the blue.
I had a Beagle mix live to 15 and a lab/collie mix to 13.
Your dog is entering her senior years- adjust her food accordingly, take care of her teeth, address her joint health issues, and love her every day for the rest of her life. With luck, she's got another 8 good years in her.
2007-09-19 09:24:55 · answer #1 · answered by howldine 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
We Had A Mongrel She Was Cross Between A Yorkshire Terrier And A Daschund And She Lived To Be 14..
You Still Have A Long Time Left With Her, So Stop Worrying About It And Enjoy It!
xx
2007-09-19 09:31:09 · answer #2 · answered by Amanda. 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Most breeds are considered "senior" at that age but without knowing her breed, its hard to tell what her average life span might be. The "giant" breeds like Great Danes, mastiffs, etc. have a shorter life expectancy of about 8 to 10 yrs. Smaller breeds generally can expect to live much longer - 12 to 15 yrs but I've had dachshunds in rescue as old as 18 and have seen others live into their 20's. We have a 13 yr old pointer mix that is just starting to show signs of her age (arthritis, kidney function, etc.) but still wants to run around with the others and "hunts" in the back yard. If your dog is healthy, happy and well cared for, she is likely just in her "prime"!!
2007-09-19 09:26:11 · answer #3 · answered by Barb 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
8 middle age for mongrel our borded collie was 16 when we had to have her put down, so I would say dog is in it's prime. Mongrels last a lot longer normally around 12 things can't start to go wrong. With my rough collie he went at 8 years old as very close pedigree but as I say as long as you feed well consider going to older type dog food and give cod liver oil to keep joints healthy and don't over feed should live a lot longer then 8!
2007-09-19 09:24:30 · answer #4 · answered by ???? 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Some dogs are already old at 8, and some are just getting started. Smaller breeds tend to live longer, generally speaking. Without knowing the breed it's impossible to even guess the life expectancy of your dog. Having said that, if she hasn't had any health problems yet I wouldn't consider her an old dog.
2007-09-19 09:27:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
She's in her prime, as long as she's happy and healthy you've no need to worry. My last dog lived until he was nearly 20, and only started slowing down when he got to about 17, before that he raced around like a puppy.
2007-09-20 01:12:57 · answer #6 · answered by Foxy Lady & Baby Oliver 24.10.09 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a bull terrier that lived for 16 years, which is twice your dog's age. It's not young any more, but calling it old would be pushing it a bit. With a mongrel, and without knowing size etc, I really couldnt predict anything, but your dog is fine and could live for a lot longer.
2007-09-19 09:32:55 · answer #7 · answered by honourableone 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
She's in her prime bless her! She's 56 years of age ( in dog yrs! ) and, with love and luck, will live for many more years yet! Growing up i had a dog who was such a lovely little thing we didn't want to lose her either but sadly they don't live as long as us. She was also a mongrel and died when she was nearly 19 so you've many more years left yet with your girl
2007-09-19 12:39:06 · answer #8 · answered by misstraceyrick 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I had a border collie live to 18yrs. My in-laws had a collie and a greyhound that lived to 19 and 21 years respectively. It just depends on the environment. If you are worried about a senior diet. I tell people to only move to a senior diet if they are slowing down and are at risk of gaining weight. If she is stiff like an old dog get her some glucosamine, chondroiton, msm and/ or yucca extract to help her out.
2007-09-19 09:28:06 · answer #9 · answered by lizard S 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Small dogs live longer than larger dogs. Average life span of a dog over 50 lbs is about 10 years.
Average life span for a smaller dog might be more like 12.
Your dog is probably just in the top end of middle age, and if healthy should live another 2-5 years. Enjoy your time with her.
2007-09-19 09:22:35 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 3⤋