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A dog’s sense of smell is legendary but did you know they have better night vision and hearing than us mere humans do? Senses aside, dogs have two more super powers that we can actually learn from.

1. The Magnificent Nose

A dog’s sense of smell is 10,000 to 100,000 times more powerful than ours. To put this in terms we can better understand, let’s make an equivalent comparison with our sense of vision. If you can see something a third of a mile away, your dog can see it 3,000 miles away!

Dogs can detect cancer in cancer patients and hypoglycemia in diabetics. They can smell our fear, sadness and anxiety. They serve the community by sniffing out drugs and explosives, and they successfully track down missing persons and criminals.

A dog’s nose is a magnificent piece of equipment with 300 million olfactory receptors (we have a mere 6 million) and a sizable portion of their brains devoted to the joy of smelling (40 times more than we devote to our sense of smell). They also have a labyrinth-like smelling chamber in their nose through which air passes and odor molecules are analyzed, and a special nasal organ and brain area devoted entirely to smelling pheromones. We have none of these.

There are dog sports dedicated to the sense of smell, which is a fun way to celebrate and nurture your dog’s super power. This is an exciting subject and scientists are studying the dog’s ability to smell more than ever before.

Vitamin A is associated with healthy sensory cells in a dog’s nose and brain. Give your dog vegetables (especially carrots and sweet potato), eggs and organ meats such as chicken, which are all good sources of vitamin A. Providing a healthy wholesome diet for your dog will keep him sniffing away for years.

2. Dogs Can See in the Dark

A dog can see in light levels that are five times dimmer than what the human eye needs. This is due to the structure of the dog’s eyes.

• Dogs have large pupils, which let in more light.
• Their retinas have more rods, which are sensitive to light and motion.
• Most importantly, they have a mirror-like membrane at the back of their eyes. So any light not absorbed by the rods will bounce off the membrane giving the rods a second chance to absorb the light and giving your dog those eerie glow-in-the-dark eyes.

3. Dogs Have Powerful Hearing

Dogs are born deaf. Not until they are 3 weeks old can they hear, but once their hearing has fully developed, they can hear four times the distance we can.

Dogs have 18 muscles in their ears, enabling them to swivel and tilt their ears, like a radar, to pinpoint tiny sounds across great distances. It explains why a dog will cock her head, perhaps even bark, long before you hear a visitor at the door. Dogs with erect ears (such as Boston Terriers or German Shepherds) have better hearing than floppy-eared dogs (such as Spaniels).

Dogs can hear higher pitched sounds than we can, too. A dog’s frequency range is 67 – 45,000 Hz compared to the human range of 64 – 23,000 Hz. That’s why, to us, a dog whistle doesn’t seem to make a sound. Its pitch is too high for our ears to hear. These whistles are great for training your dog, especially for herding activities, because you can send signals to your dog using a series of short or long blows without ever using your voice.

Inside the canine ear structure is a network of tiny muscles that respond to slight fluctuations in sound vibrations by instantaneously contracting and relaxing. It is this sensitive structure that enable dogs to hear such an astonishing range of frequencies.

Deaf people can have the assistance of a hearing dog that will alert her handler to important sounds, such as doorbells, smoke alarms, ringing telephones or alarm clocks.

4. Dogs Are Experts in the Art of Body Language

A dog’s ability to communicate through facial expressions and body language often leaves us in no doubt of the message they are conveying.

There’s a YouTube video of three poodles. The pet parent asks “Who did this mess?” The two brown poodles look directly at the white poodle who stares at the ground. “Cody, did you do this mess?” asks the pet parent.

Cody, a brown poodle, looks at the camera and cocks her head.

“Murphy, did you make this mess?”

Murphy, the other brown poodle cocks his head, too.

“Maggie, did you make this mess?”

Maggie backs away with her tail between her legs and disappears into the nearest room. Guilty as charged. Although, to be clear, the body language displayed by Maggie is actually conveying fear of the reprimand not guilt over the mess.

A furrowed brow and large eyes can also convey a sense of fear or stress, while a full body wag tells us the dog is happy.

Some of the most common body poses are:

• ALERT: Ears pricked, head raised or even cocked, mouth closed.
• AGGRESSIVE: Hackles raised, ears forward or to the side, lips curled. This dog is showing his dominance and warning that he will attack if challenged.
• AFRAID: Hackles raised but his ears flattened back, body lowered and tail down. The dog is fearful but not necessarily submissive and may attack if he continues to feel threatened.
• SUBMISSIVE: The dog rolls onto his back exposing his stomach, tucks his tail between his legs and avoids eye contact. This dog is indicating total surrender.

5. Dogs are Masters of Mindfulness

A dog knows how to live in the moment and enjoy every one of her senses.

Going for a drive with the window down is akin to skydiving for a dog. It’s a rush of ecstasy!

Going for a walk will do it, too. Playing with a ball, swimming at the beach, sniffing, running, fetching, playing, jumping, spending time with her adored human. A dog enjoys all of these simple pleasures by being fully present and not mulling over the future or the past.

Taking the time to enjoy each moment of your life is both important and necessary. We all tend to rush through each day to ‘get things done’ without actually enjoying any of our tasks along the way. As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, ‘life is a journey, not a destination’.

Make your daily walks with your dog that special moment where you slow down and take in everything around you. Be awake to the present moment. This mindfulness will help you to live with the same kind of joy that your dog does.

Keep your dog in perfect health with free WAGSTA walkies, weight and wellness tracking. Join the pack and create the optimal healthy lifestyle for your dog!

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Curious, easy-going and a devoted sniffer.

With his big brown eyes and long houndy ears, the Beagle is an easy dog to fall in love with. He is one of the top ten most popular dog breeds in the United States. The Beagle was originally bred as a scent hound to track rabbits and is still used for this purpose. They love exercise, and need it much more than most people think.

Beagles come in a lot of colors including lemon and white, orange and white, chocolate and white, red and white, and tri-color.

The Beagle has a compact build between 13 – 16 inches (33 – 41 cm) high and weighs 20 – 24 lbs (9 – 11 kg). His life expectancy is 10 – 15 years. You can maximize his lifespan with a healthy diet.

Famous Beagles

Beagles are big in the cartoon world. Who hasn’t heard of Snoopy! We also have Poochie (The Simpsons), Odie (Garfield), Gromit (Wallace and Gromit), Underdog, Mr. Peabody (Rocky and Bullwinkle), and Brains (Inspector Gadget).

Beagles star in movies, too. Frannie the dog plays a mistreated Beagle who runs away from her cruel owner in the movies Shiloh and Shiloh 2.

Beagles have appeared in television programs Star Trek, the East Enders, The Manor Born and The Wonder Years.

Positive Traits of the Beagle

• The Beagle is a conveniently-sized dog.
• Beagles are athletic and playful and enjoy outdoor activities.
• Beagles have a handsome body with soulful eyes.
• The Beagle is normally a good natured, peaceful family dog.
• Beagles get on well with other dogs.
• The Beagle’s short coat, though thick, is easy to groom. Beagles shed moderately throughout the year but more so during Spring. To rid them of excess fur, brush them 2 – 3 times per week.

Negative Traits of the Beagle

• The Beagle is not a good choice for your city apartment because an apartment will not provide him with enough space to run and play.
• A Beagle must stay on leash when not fenced in. Beagles have selective hearing. When they are on a scent they will not hear you calling them or obey any of your commands so keep him on leash.
• They have a tendency to bay and howl.
• Beagles require a lot of exercise, a minimum of thirty minutes in the morning and evening. If they don’t exercise enough they can turn their energy to destructive pursuits.
• A Beagle will shed slightly more than the average pooch throughout the year, and more again in Spring when they lose their winter coat. To help rid him of excess fur, brush your Beagle two or three times per week.
• A Beagle will be happier with constant companionship so you might consider getting him a buddy.
• Beagles are cunning escape artists so his play area should be at least five feet tall and extend under the ground so he can’t tunnel beneath it.
• The Beagle has a potential for health issues (see below).

Exercise for the Beagle

Beagles are energetic dogs that need to play and exercise every day. Beagles were bred to work in a pack so they prefer to do this in company. Take him for a walk but keep him on leash. The Beagle is a scent hound and is unable to resist the urge to run in pursuit of a compelling scent. Yell all you like, he’ll be so focused on the scent he won’t hear you.
A Beagle that is left on his own for too long might become destructive. Consider getting him a buddy.

Training the Beagle

Beagles can get distracted with smells and may be stubborn. But with patience and positive reinforcement, Beagles will respond to training. Treats are a useful training aid, but ensure you choose healthy low-calorie treats to avoid him becoming overweight.

Beagle Health Issues

The Beagle, as with all pure breed dogs, has proclivities to certain health issues. For the Beagle these include hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, epilepsy, dislocated knee-caps and eye disorders. Responsible breeders will screen their breeding dogs for these conditions.

When buying Beagle puppies it is recommended to have a hip evaluation, ophthalmologist evaluation, and an MLS DNA test.

Beagles are also prone to obesity. Keep your beagle on a calorie-restricted diet and limit his access to treats. Beagles are experts when it comes to scavenging food. Curb this habit to prevent tummy upsets and weight gain.

As with all breeds, keep his nails trim, his ears clean and give his teeth a regular brush.

History of the Beagle

The first dogs referred to as ‘Beagles’ were tiny hound dogs used by hunters that stood no taller than 9 inches. They were called ‘pocket Beagles’ because hunters could literally put them in their pockets. The standard Beagle was bred in England in the 1840s and imported to the United States in 1870. The Beagle is the only dog to rate in the top ten for popularity since the American Kennel Club registry began.

It has been suggested that the name Beagle originated from the French word ‘beugler’, which means ‘to bellow’. Beagles sure know how to bellow but there is no evidence to support this theory.

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Compact, quiet, expressive, charming.

The French bulldog just hit #1 on the popularity charts in the UK,
surpassing the Labrador, a breed that had held first position for thirty
years.

While the Labrador is still the most popular breed in the
United States, the French bulldog has surged in popularity there too,
reaching #4.

Famous Frenchies

Frenchies have received a lot of exposure recently. Reese Witherspoon
has Pepper, Lady Gaga has Asia Kinney, the Beckhams have Scarlet and
Hugh Jackman has Dali. French bulldogs have also been the pet of choice
for Leonardo DiCaprio, Hilary Duff, Madonna, Martha Stewart and Michael
Phelps amongst others.

They’ve appeared in commercials (Sketchers), television programs
(Modern Family) and movies (Bringing Down the House, Due Date,
Secondhand Lions).

Thanks to social media, French bulldogs have become celebrities in
their own right. Mannie-the-Frenchie leads the way with his 1.1 million
Instagram followers!

Positive Traits of the French Bulldog

It’s easy to see what all the fuss is about.

• The French bulldog with his big bat ears and comical expressions, makes a great companion, especially for city dwellers.
• French bulldogs have compact muscular bodies, which makes them rather portable.
• They are relatively quiet, which is great for city apartments.
• They don’t require a lot of outdoor exercise.
• They have short easy-care coats.
• They have quite a good life span at 10 – 12 years but you can maximize it by following the veterinary-designed longevity diet.
• They are affectionate, expressive and charming.

Negative Traits of the French Bulldog

No one’s perfect.

• French bulldogs can be stubborn which makes them a challenge to train. But start early, be persistent and patient, and use healthy dog treats as incentive. Make sure the treats are tiny and low-calorie. You don’t want to end up with a well-trained but fat Frenchie.
• All short-faced breeds like the French bulldog will snore, snuffle,
  grunt and pass wind. They can’t help it. The short snout means they
  gulp air when they eat, and what goes in must come out. Commercial pet
  food can make it worse due to the high level of fiber. This high protein
  home made dog food will help.
• Frenchies are not good swimmers. Due to their large head and small bodies they risk drowning if they fall into a pool.
• French bull dogs can be slow to house break. Four to six months is not unusual.

French Bulldog Health Issues and Breeders

Popularity has a down side when rogue breeders see an opportunity to
cash in. French bulldogs, like many purebreds, are predisposed to
certain health issues including eye, ear and skin conditions.

As a brachycephalic (short-nosed breed), Frenchies are predisposed to
breathing difficulties, especially during exercise and when they become
over heated. Breathing troubles are also exaggerated if dogs become
overweight. Check our dog breed chart for ideal weights.

Responsible registered breeders of French Bulldogs (such as Kennel
Club Assured Breeders) account for these issues by supplying the buyer
with information on the pup’s parents. Whenever possible you should
always meet the pup’s parents so you can see for yourself that there are
no exaggerated features, such as an overly short snout, that might
cause health problems.

History of the French Bulldog

French bulldogs were actually first bred in England as a miniature
bulldog, but lacemakers took them to France where the breed became
fashionable among society ladies, prostitutes, artists, writers and the
general bohemian crowd.

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A dog’s sense of smell is 10,000 to 100,000 times more powerful than ours. To put this in terms we can better understand, let’s start with the equivalent comparison in our sense of vision. If you can see something a third of a mile away, your dog can see it 3,000 miles away. Or in terms of taste, if you can taste a teaspoon of sugar in a cup of tea, your dog could taste a teaspoon of sugar in a million gallons of water – that’s two Olympic-sized pool’s worth of water.

Scent Tracking

Let’s, for a moment, consider the skill involved in tracking a missing person. The dog is first given the target scent, such as an item of clothing belonging to the missing person. He then sets to work following that scent. Along the way he’ll smell a myriad of odors – a rabbit hiding in the undergrowth, some cat urine, or deer scat perhaps – but he stays focused on the target scent, which is truly incredible.

Dogs Can Smell Disease

True stories abound about dogs and their unbelievable sniffing powers.

• A cancer-sniffing dog found melanoma on a spot of skin that doctors had pronounced to be cancer-free.
• Five trained dogs were able to accurately identify lung cancer in 99% of patients and 88% of people with breast cancer by merely sniffing the patients’ breath.
• Dogs can smell when a diabetic’s blood sugar drops. In a study, 65% of dogs warned their diabetic pet parents, by whining or barking, that a hypoglycemic attack was imminent.

Dogs can also sniff out a person wearing or carrying explosives. They can sniff out drugs even when those drugs are sealed in air-tight canisters and surrounded by other smells.

Your Dog Can Smell Fear

Our bodies betray our emotions in olfactory ways. Human skin is covered in sweat glands and sebaceous glands that secrete different biochemical scents when we are happy, anxious or sad. A dog can pick up the different smell of these hormones and be affected by them.

In a study, participating people were asked to watch a movie. Some watched a scary movie (The Shining) while others watched a happy movie (Jungle Book). Swabs were taken of each person’s skin secretions after the movie.

A group of participating golden retrievers were each presented with a swab.  Those presented with a swab from a person who watched The Shining showed signs of distress. They did not interact with strangers and sought comfort and reassurance from their owners. Those presented with a swab from a person who had watched Jungle Book were more relaxed, wagging their tails and confidently interacting with strangers.

What is it About a Dog’s Nose That Makes it so Powerful?

There are six key factors;

• Dogs have 300 million olfactory receptors in their noses to our 6 million.
• The part of a dog’s brain devoted to analyzing smells is proportionally speaking, 40 times greater than ours.
• A dog’s nose is also designed with smelling in mind. When we inhale, we smell and breathe through the same airway in the nose. But when a dog inhales, the air is separated into two paths. One goes straight to the lungs. The other swirls into a labyrinth of 300 million olfactory receptors where, in collaboration with the brain, the odor molecules are sorted and analyzed.
• When we exhale, the spent air goes out the way it came in, temporarily rendering us incapable of smelling. But when your dog exhales, the spent air leaves through those little slits in the side of his nostrils, which enables fresh air to swirl in through his nostrils as the old air is being exhaled. That means he can continuously sniff.
• A dog’s ability to wiggle his nose enables him to determine which nostril a scent arrived in, helping him to locate its source.
• Dogs also have an organ in their nose that we don’t have – called a vomeronasal organ – which detects the pheromones of different species. This organ has a dedicated part of the brain to interact with or, in other words, its very own database of pheromone information.

How to Nurture Your Dog’s Sense of Smell

Dogs read the local gossip through their noses, and write their own messages in their urine, so don’t be tempted to drag him away from an interesting hotspot of odors. This is his chance to read the canine community board.

There are sports you and your dog can play that celebrate the sense of smell.  Scent work (sometimes called ‘nose work’) involves your dog being given a target scent to find. Normally this is a cotton swab doused in essential oil hidden in a pot. In the sport of tracking trial, your dog must follow a scent trail to find certain articles.

Vitamin A is associated with healthy sensory cells in a dog’s nose and brain. Give your dog vegetables (especially carrots and sweet potato), eggs and organ meats such as chicken, which are all good sources of vitamin A. Providing a healthy wholesome diet for your dog will keep him sniffing away for years.

Keep your dog in prefect health with our free WAGSTA walkies, weight and wellness tracker! Join the pack and create the optimal healthy lifestyle for your dog!

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The Risks Faced by Flat-faced Dogs.

Wondering what French Bulldogs, Pug dogs and Boston Terriers have in common?  Besides being totally adorable, these three breeds are classified as brachycephalic.

Brachycephalic (Greek for short-headed) dogs typically have short noses and flattened faces. These breeds include Pugs, French Bull Dogs, British Bulldogs, Pekingese, Boston Terriers and Shih tzus.

The popularity of flat faced dog breeds has grown in recent years, so much so, French Bull Terriers have overtaken Labrador Retrievers as the number one registered breed in Britain!

 

The French Bulldog was the most registered dog breed in Britain in first quarter 2018.

This growth in popularity has highlighted the many health issues associated with Brachycephalic dogs – in particular, Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS).

BOAS is a direct effect of compacted facial anatomy and results in an increased effort to breathe and reduced airflow to the lungs. Signs of Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome in dogs include:

• Wheezing when inhaling: caused by narrowed nostrils and nasal passages
• Snorting and grunting sounds: caused by elongated soft palate
• Snoring, coughing and gagging: due to laryngeal collapse and narrowed airways.

In severe cases, airflow may be so impeded, dogs collapse after exertion.

Dog displaying any respiratory signs should be examined by a veterinarian. Many brachycephalic dogs benefit from surgical intervention. This typically involves shortening the soft palate and surgical resection to open the nostrils and larynx.

Flat faced dogs suffering with obstructive airway syndrome benefit from surgery to open the airways.

Other Flat Faced Dog Health Problems

Flat faced dogs are prone to  heat stroke or overheating especially if they are overweight or old. The facial conformation of flat-faced breeds renders panting a much less effective cooling mechanism than in their long-nosed counterparts. For this reason, overheating should be avoided at all costs (air-conditioning may be required in hot climates).

It is especially important for Brachycephalic dogs not to exercise during the heat of the day. Always monitor for signs of over exertion and laboured breathing. Use a harness rather than collar, when walking to reduce pressure on the neck and airways.

Flat faced dog breeds such as the French Bulldog have narrowed airways and are unable to pant effectively to keep themselves cool.

Long-nosed dog breeds have more efficient cooling systems and larger airways.

Flat-faced dog breeds are also prone to heart problems- secondary to their facial conformation. Impeded airflow results in reduced oxygen levels in the bloodstream which in turn places increased workload and strain on the heart. Annual veterinary checks are recommended to monitor heart health.

Many brachycephalic dogs experience dental decay and gum disease. This is because shortened facial features typically lead to overcrowding of teeth. A regular dental check-up is a must.

Most breeds have deep facial skin folds and narrow ear canals. This reduces skin ventilation leading to increased likelihood of recurring infections. A regular facial and ear cleaning routine is necessary for brachycephalic dogs.

The eyes of many short-nosed breeds protrude. This impedes the tear film from spreading properly and reduces lubrication of the eye. As a result, brachycephalic dogs are prone to “dry-eye”, eye ulcers and ocular injury.

Many brachycephalic dogs have difficulty giving birth due to the mismatch between large-sized puppy heads and the mother’s birth canal. A large proportion of brachycephalic dogs are born by C-Section.

Tips to Keep your Brachycephalic Dog Healthy

When buying a brachy pup, always check the parents have not needed surgery for obstructive airways. Dogs with extreme brachy features should never be bred. BOAS is a hereditary condition that will require significant costly veterinary treatment.

Dogs with less exaggerated facial features suffer much less than those with extreme shortening of the face. Not all dogs require surgical intervention. Choose wisely. Always meet parent dogs and if possible request the opinion a vet prior to purchase.

All brachys are prone to weight gain. It is vitally important these dogs are maintained at a healthy weight. In addition to causing obesity related disease, weight gain greatly exaggerates brachycephalic breathing difficulties and problems with overheating.

This overweight Pug dog is at extreme risk of heatstroke and life-threatening dyspnoea (breathing difficulty).

Although predisposed to many health issues, brachycephalic breeds have a friendly and outgoing nature and make wonderful companions. Buy from trusted breeders and keep up with regular veterinary checks, to avoid many of these health complaints.

Is your dog a healthy weight? Find out now with your free WAGSTA Wellness Check.

 

 

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Long Body, Short Legs, Big Personality

With his unique sausage-shaped body, little legs and alert expression, the Dachshund certainly stands out from the crowd. They are not built for hiking, running or strenuous swimming, but they will play tirelessly. They are smart, affectionate, brave and make vigilant watchdogs, but prefer to be inside with their humans (even snuggled under the covers on cold nights) rather than outside.

Be extremely careful not to allow your Dachshund to become overweight (visit our weight calculator). If he does, it will put strain on his long spine resulting in slipped or herniated discs.

Standard-sized Dachshunds range from 16 – 32 pounds  (7 – 14 kg). The miniature Dachshund is less than 11 pounds (5 kg).

There are three coat types:

• The smooth haired Dachshund – normally attaches himself to one person. They require minimal grooming.
• The wirehaired Dachshund – is normally more energetic, cheeky and stubborn due to his terrier heritage. They require clipping twice per year.
• And the long haired Dachshund – can be quieter and sweet-natured due to their spaniel heritage. They require regular brushing.

Their life expectancy is 12 – 16 years. You can maximize his lifespan with a healthy diet.

Famous Dachshunds

Crusoe the Celebrity Dachshund is a Canadian Dachshund who stars in a series of Youtube videos and books. He embarks on all kinds of adventures from cooking to canoeing. He is also an Instagram sensation @crusoe_Dachshund

Positive Traits of the Dachshund

• Dachshunds are moderate shedders, relatively clean, and have little or no body odor.
• The Dachshund makes a good watch dog and will bark when visitors approach.
• They come in a variety of small sizes, coats, and colors
• He is comical and entertaining
• Is loyal to his family
• Needs only moderate exercise
• And is good with other family pets, especially other Dachshunds.

Negative Traits of the Dachshund

• Although the Dachshund makes a vigilant watchdog, apartment dwellers may find his sharp, persistent bark to be too loud. With persistence, you can train them to stop when you tell them to.
• Spinal problems affect one in four Dachshunds.
• The Dachshund can be a little stubborn and it will take patience to house break him.
• Plucky Dachshunds can sometimes want to take on large dogs.
• Dachshunds have strong hunting and chasing instincts and must be kept on leash when walking
• They were bred to burrow and might do this in the garden if left unsupervised.

Exercise for the Dachshund

The Dachshund is an energetic dog for his size and requires regular exercise not only to keep fit and stay at his optimal weight, but also to build muscle to support his spine. Two moderate walks a day will do. Keep him on leash. Dachshunds have a keen nose and were bred to chase.

To avoid back injury, never allow your Dachshund to run up and down stairs or to jump on and off the furniture.

Training the Dachshund

Though intelligent, some Dachshunds can be quite independent, which can make it a challenge when trying to train him. Rewarding them with affection when they get it right will go a long way. Be patient and consistent in your training and avoid using harsh commands or punishment on these sensitive souls. Positive reinforcement works best.

House breaking your Dachshund will take persistence and patience. They won’t want to run outside to go potty on a cold or rainy day. An inside potty area will help on such days.

A few Dachshunds might regard strangers with suspicion, which left unchecked, could progress to a nip. Socialize your Dachshund from a young age so that he becomes accustomed to people. Teach him to respect you so that when you say ‘no’ he will stop his bad behavior.

Dachshund Health Issues

Dachshunds are susceptible to disc damage due to their long spine. To prevent this, be vigilant about keeping his weight optimal. This can be maintained with a calorie-controlled diet and adequate exercise. Ignore those pleading eyes at the dinner table. Food scraps can put on weight. Give him these healthy dog snacks instead.

Like most dogs with floppy ears, Dachshunds can get ear infections if their ears aren’t kept clean. And as with all dog breeds, trim your Dachshund’s nails once a month.

History of the Dachshund

“Dachshund” is German for “Badger Dog”. They were bred six hundred years ago in Germany to burrow into badger dens and frighten out the resident badger. The Dachshund’s low long body shape was especially bred for this purpose. But their personality has also served them well. The badger, with his razor-sharp teeth and claws, is a challenging enemy for any dog, let alone the little Dachshund. But the Dachshund’s intelligence, courage, loud bark, and strength more than makes up for what he lacks in height.

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The Average Lifespan of a Dog

Working out dog years to human years for your pooch depends on his expected lifespan, which varies from breed to breed, and can be lengthened. More about that later, but for now, let’s assume you don’t know your dog’s breed and you just want a rough idea of dog years to human years.

Dog’s mature more quickly than humans in the first year of their life, so the first year of your dog’s life (in human years) is equal to 15 dog years. So if you have a one-year-old pooch, he will be a 15-year-old teenager to other dogs.

Dog Years Calculator

• The average lifespan of a dog is 11.5. This is the average of all breeds put together.
• The average lifespan of a human is 78.
• That gives us 6.7 dog years to human years (round it up to 7 if you want to simplify the math).

In other words, if your dog is 5 years old (in human years) he is almost 35 years old in dog years.

How Long Do Dogs Live?

The average lifespan of a dog varies from breed to breed, with the smallest breeds living longer than the large breeds. For example, the Chihuahua lifespan is around 16 while the Great Dane lifespan is only around 9 years. But the average lifespan of a dog can be lengthened.

Average Lifespan of a Dog By Breed

Small Dogs

Medium Size Dogs

 

Large Dogs

Factors Affecting Dog Lifespan

Pet obesity is an epidemic across developing nations. This is alarming because research has shown that obese dogs live 2 years less than dogs at a healthy weight. Obesity increases the risk of many diseases that not only shorten your dog’s life, but diminishes the quality of his life, too.

Keeping your dog at a healthy weight reduces the risk of his developing weight-related diseases, improves his quality of life, and gives him a chance to live out his full life expectancy.

Trauma, cancer, congenital disease and infectious disease are other factors that can affect your dog’s lifespan. Cancer is the leading cause of death in large dog breeds, particularly Golden Retrievers, and studies are underway to discover why this is the case.

 

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