Are you thinking about a dog becoming a member of your family and do you want to have him by your side for as long as possible? So you should know the dog breeds that live the shortest time. Maybe it will make it easier for you to choose the right breed for you.
Sometimes it is very difficult to decide which particular breed of dog to get. It is always necessary to think first so that it meets your requirements and also that you can provide the chosen animal with the comfort it needs for its life.
For some, appearance is important, for others character and nature, and for many future mistresses, life expectancy also plays an important role in the choice. In which 5 breeds is the probability of living together the shortest?
Which dogs with the shortest lives are featured on DogCastTV? Watch this YouTube video:
Source: Youtube
Results according to scientists
Scientists and veterinarians from the Royal Veterinary College conducted research on the lifespan of dog breeds and came to clear results, which they reported in their study. According to them, dog breeds with a flat face are among the most at-risk groups.
Their lives are often threatened by a higher incidence of respiratory problems, as well as frequent infections in the skin folds and serious health problems with the spine. Due to the fact that the registration of these breeds continues to increase, scientists warn that everyone should think about this situation before purchasing a dog.
Experts evaluated the results based on the monitoring of 30,563 dogs from 18 breeds and crossbreeds, when they found out how the life expectancy of individual puppies varies between January 1, 2016 and July 31, 2020. Thanks to this, they revealed which breeds live the longest and which, unfortunately, only a smaller number of years. The best was the Jack Russell terrier breed, which lives on average 12 to 13 years, followed by the Yorkshire terrier with a lifespan of 12.5 years, and in third place was the border collie with a lifespan of 12.1 years.
Dr Dan O’Neil, Associate Professor of Companion Animal Epidemiology at the Royal Veterinary College, summarized the results by saying: “These new VetCompass Life Charts now allow owners to estimate how long they can enjoy their dogs.” And which breeds have the worst longevity?
French bulldog
French Bulldogs live an average of just 4.53 years. They are small but stocky and muscular and usually weigh between 8 and 14 kg. Their torso rises slightly towards the hips because their hind legs are longer than their front legs. This breed is characterized by a broad and strong head with large and slightly protruding eyes and a small, flattened muzzle.
The skin folds on the muzzle require very thorough care and it is best to clean and wash them carefully every day or every other day. French bulldogs also need to regularly clean their ear lobes, where, due to their size, dirt and dust quickly settles. It is also necessary to wash the animal at least once a week with boiled water or a special product around the eyes. Due to their short muzzles, they already have problems with tartar build-up at a young age.
English bulldog
English bulldogs fared slightly better, living an average of 7.39 years. It is a dog with a very strong, stocky body with short limbs, where the front ones are slightly shorter than the back ones. This breed has a broad chest, the spine is a little lower in the thoracic and lumbar regions, and it has a short, straight tail. A relatively large head with a flattened muzzle with a strong bite and wide jaws is typical for these dogs.
Dental defects are often found in this breed. On the face, English bulldogs have a lot of wavy skin and their eyes are relatively small, wide-set and prominent, in most cases with overlapping lids. They are highly susceptible to problems with the respiratory system and suffer from skin diseases. Problems with the spine and joints and with the digestive system do not escape them either.
Mops
Pugs live an average of 7.65 years. Their body stands out with firm and strong musculature. These dogs also suffer quite a lot from certain health complications. Similar to the bulldog, the cute pug also has a significantly shortened muzzle, which is why this breed is also prone to breathing problems and at the same time hates heat. A pug usually huffs and snores loudly.
His big eyes are cute, but unfortunately also prone to various injuries and inflammations, so it is necessary to check them regularly. A specific disease in pugs is encephalitis, which does not occur in any other breed, and various allergies, hip dysplasia or epilepsy.
American bulldog
This breed lives an average of 7.79 years. The American Bulldog, often known as the AmBull, is a large, sometimes giant, muscular and robust dog that is also very agile and fast. American Bulldogs are intelligent and affectionate and have proven themselves as family dogs. In order for them to live as long as possible and be healthy for as long as possible, it is necessary to give them special care.
American bulldogs are most at risk of various disabilities of the locomotor system. Dysplasia of the hip and elbow joints is common among them. Another problem is often deafness and problems with the eyelids, which are either sunken in or retracted. Increased maintenance of the teeth is also necessary and there is a risk of frequent ear infections.
Chihuahua
Chihuahuas live an average of 7.91 years. It is a dog of smaller dimensions, adult individuals weigh up to 3 kg and measure 16 to 20 cm. Among the most common diseases that affect Chihuahuas are heart disease, degeneration of the tracheal cartilages associated with breathing problems, eye problems such as severe irritation, corneal clouding, glaucoma and lens dislocation.
Resources: www.countryliving.com, www.rvc.ac.uk, www.scotsman.com
