Determining the age of a dog in human years is a complicated task since we cannot measure two different types of dog the same. Other factors such as disease, the crossing between close blood lines have also just defined this variable.
In this article on our site we will try to explain how to calculate the age of our dog depending on the different factors that exist. Read on and find out how many years a dog lives.
A dog's age and life expectancy
It has always been believed that a human year corresponds to 7 dog years, but this belief has become obsolete and there are now other more reliable formulas for calculating ageof a dog.
But what is certain is that the age of a dog is not the only factor that determines the stage of old age in a dog, in addition to the years, it will depend the size of a dog and its breed The life expectancy of a giant dog, such as a Saint Bernard, is approximately 8 years, although they can live up to 10. In small dogs, which also Whether they are mestizos, life expectancy can even extend to 20 years, although as we will see there are dogs that have lived even longer.
In medium-sized dogs, such as the Chow Chow, the average longevity is about 14 years. We can name two cases where the predicted longevity for a dog has been far exceeded: The record is held by Bluey, an Australian Shepherd who lived 29 years between 1910 and 1939. But also of special mention is the case of Pusuke, a Japanese dog, a Shiba-inu cross, who lived 26 years and 9 months.
In short, you will find a variety of information on the Internet about the life expectancy of some breeds, but the reality is that a dog will live more or less depending onhis diet, his physical activity, the absence of diseases and very importantly, the love he receives from his human family.
Why do mongrel dogs live longer?
Purebred or pedigree dogs have often been crossed in an uncontrolled manner, in many cases crossing related individuals, this results in a high consanguinity, which is associated with genetic diseases, such as hip dysplasia.
On the other hand, in mestizo dogs the genetic variability is greatly increased, which decreases hereditary diseases. the life expectancy of a dog, as well as its size, it is also very important to remember that a few proper care can significantly extend its life.
