Study: Mixed Breeds And Small Dogs Live Longest

By Charlotte LoBuono

Danish researchers who conducted a recent investigation into the typical lifespans and ailments of various different dog breeds have reported some interesting, and in some cases surprising, results.

The investigators studied the ages and causes of death for nearly 3,000 dogs, and noted the breed-specific tendencies they found.

The median life span of all dogs in the study was 10 years, reported Helle Friis Proschowsky, an animal scientist at Denmark’s Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University and the Danish Kennel Club. Mixed breed canines generally lived for another year, dying at a median age of 11 years.

Some breeds proved to be the exception to the rule, however. Proschowsky said that Shetland sheepdogs, poodles, and dachshunds lived the longest, usually for more than 12 years.

On the other hand, Bernese Mountain dogs, the Molossian-type dogs (including Rottweilers), and the Sighthounds (such as greyhounds, Scottish deerhounds, and Irish Wolfhounds) had the shortest lifespans.

The study findings support the belief that smaller dogs generally live longer than larger canines.

Said Proschowsky, "I do not have a specific explanation for this fact. But surely some of the very large dogs suffer from cardiovascular and skeletal diseases that are very rare among the small breeds."

Among the other surprising findings of the study were the cancer rates among all dogs. Cancer was the second most common cause of death, killing 14.5% of the dogs in the study.

Bernese Mountain dogs were the most susceptible to terminal cancer, with 34.4% succumbing to the disease.

The number one cause of death among dogs in the study was described simply as "old age," which killed more than 20% of the animals. Accidents, hip dysplasia, heart disease, and spinal disease were other prominent, but less common causes of death.

The study was based on questionnaires filled out by members of the Danish Kennel Club. It appeared in the April issue of Preventative Veterinary Medicine.

© 2003 Animal News Center, Inc.