Have you ever wondered how long your dog will live? According to Kirsten Mcmillan at Dogs Trust, a medium, flat-snouted, Bulldog is three times more likely to have a shorter life than a small, long-snouted, dog. Including a Miniature Dachshund or an Italian Greyhound.” These three things, size, snout, and spaying/neutering your dog can determine lifestyle and lifespan. Let’s find out why this is.
The size of your dog can influence its lifespan. Research by Newsweek.com says that the more weight a dog gains increases their risk for cancer. Since big dogs grow and gain more weight than small dogs they likely have more of a chance to get cancer. Big dogs also tend to produce more inflammatory hormones that put stress on the body tissue and can relate to many diseases including kidney, and liver disease, as well as cancer.
Snout size can influence your dog’s lifespan. Research by CNN states flat-faced dogs like pugs and bulldogs can have more health risks like breathing complications and skin conditions. Pugs, Bulldogs, and many breeds like that often are born with narrower nostrils, deformed windpipes, and extra tissue in their throat/nose making it harder for them to breathe than a medium/large dog. The deep folds in a Pug’s or Bulldog’s face can cause bacteria to develop resulting in bacterial infections. They are also more likely to get overheated.
A dog that has been spayed/neutered has less of an urge to feel more wild, which can decrease their chances of running away, starting/getting in fights with other dogs, and feeling more aggressive tendencies. Ultimately, they will have less of a chance to get disease and get into life-threatening accidents. A dog being fixed can also have less of a risk for diseases and cancer concerning birth and or fertilization.
In conclusion, the overall size of your dog, snout size, and spaying/neutering your dog can decrease health risks, prevent death, and make them more comfortable. Consider this when bringing a dog into the family, in addition to your style and preferences.
