There's nothing like snuggling up at the end of the day with a big dog that takes up the entire bed. It's one the best parts of having a big dog.
But one of the worst? According to veterinarians, a large size can lead to a short lifespan.
Why bigger dogs don't live as long
Some smaller dogs can live until they're 15 years old or even older, but bigger dogs don't usually have as long. According to the American Kennel Club, giant dogs live an average of 8 to 10 years, large dog breeds live 10 to 12 years, medium-sized breeds live 10 to 13 years and small dogs lives 10 to 15 years.
There are many reasons why bigger dogs generally don't live as long, the first being just because of the way they age, said Dr. Natascha Hedegaard, an in-house veterinary advisor for JoyFull Pet.
Small and
big dogs develop differently. Hedegaard said large breeds have a longer juvenile stage, which means they're growing faster and for longer than small breed dogs. Their juvenile period continues until 2 years old, and then they have more rapid aging.
Since bigger dogs have a longer juvenile stage, their cells start to deteriorate quicker after this stage. Hedegaard said this rapid growth is correlated with increased oxidative damage, greater cellular senescence and telomere shortening.
With their size and rapid growth, problems like arthritis might be more common.
Why big dogs don't live as long
Quick growth can increase the risk of diseases and cancer. Hedegaard said larger breeds can be more prone to cancers than smaller breeds. Large breeds who are neutered early have shown a heightened risk of orthopedic problems and cancers, which is why bigger dogs are recommended to be neutered much later than smaller dogs.
It's not just because of the way they age, either. Sometimes their actual size can be a problem as well. Hedegaard said that with problems like arthritis, it can be less manageable due to their size. Larger dogs can't be carrier and supported as much as smaller dogs, which sometimes makes their lifespan shorter.
How to extend their lifespan
While larger dogs tend to not have as long of a lifespan, there are ways you can try to extend their lifespan. Nicole Savageau, a veterinarian with The Vets, recommended a few easy tips that could help prolong your pup's life.
- Go to the vet every year: One of the most obvious but important tips to keep your pup healthy is to take them to the vet every year. Savageau said it's easier to manage age-related diseases if you catch them earlier, and the best way to do that is taking them to the vet and getting their blood work done yearly.
- Vaccinate your dog: While you're at the vet, Savageau also recommends asking them for a few tips on how to best vaccinate your dog to prevent diseases, as well as heartworm prevention, which you can do by giving your dog a deworming pill as instructed by the vet.
- Focus on their dental health: You can also ask your vet about a dental cleaning routine for your dog, since poor dental health can cause additional problems or diseases.
- Keep your dog at a healthy weight: Another big factor is keeping your dog lean. Obesity can decrease a dog's lifespan by over two years, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. You can ask your vet about your dog's ideal weight, and be sure to take your dog on walks and play with them.
Of course, your dog's lifespan will never be long enough, but these tips could prolong your time together.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bigger dogs don't live as long. Here's why, and what to do about it
