Lifespan Versus Healthy Year
It important that a dog remain fit and healthy as long for as much of its life as possible. Although one cannot predict the health of a dog with certainty, one can increase the probability of both general health and long life through careful selection and proper care. Your vet (and perhaps your local kennel club) can advise on the following considerations:
- Breed Health. Some breeds are generally healthy while others are known to be prone to certain diseases (e.g. hip dysplasia, brain tumours, skin allergies). If you have not yet decided on a specific breed, you may wish to discuss with your vet the various breeds you are considering and their outlook.
- Breed Lifestyle. Each of the breeds have been developed with a specific purpose in mind, be it sheep herding or family pet. The purpose for which you are using a dog and the way in which it will be kept should keep this in mind. In general, 'working dogs' need lots of space and exercise; without this they will suffer greatly mentally and to a certain extent physically.
- Breeder. Unscrupulous breeders (in particular 'puppy farms') will breed dogs without due consideration of their health. Serious respectable breeders will have their dogs carefully and professionally examined for inherited and other diseases before considering breeding from them. Consequently, purchasing a dog from a respected breeder (your local kennel club can provide a list), while likely more expensive initially, can save a lot of heartache and medical expenses.
- Diet. Although dogs have different nutritional requirements then people, like us their health and lifespan will be improved through a suitable diet, with sufficient but not excessive amounts of food. A dog's requirements will depend on its age, breed and lifestyle (e.g. very active dogs need a higher proportion of carbohydrates than less active dogs).
- Exercise. All dogs require regular exercise (at least several times a week). The amount and type of exercise will to some extent depend on the breed and the individual dog. Working breeds generally require much more physical exercise, not only for their physical health but also for their mental health. In addition to physical exertion, exercise should also involve a certain amount of mental stimulation. Varying the route of the daily walk, playing with the dog, training it or giving it tasks to perform will all provide this.
- Living conditions. Dogs kept outside with inadequate shelter (from cold, wind or rain) or in poor living conditions (e.g. insufficient space, without clean water or in unsanitary conditions) will not only have a shorter lifespan, but will also be prone to early illness. That being said, what is suitable for one dog may not be suitable for another. For example, certain long-haired dogs have been breed for very cold conditions while others (such as the Newfoundland) can easily handle extremely wet and cold conditions.
- Medical Attention. Dogs should have vaccination against the common canine diseases. In some parts of the world the presence of certain deadly parasites (e.g. heartworm) require that dogs receive preventive medication monthly to ensure that they are not infected. Finally, like people, dogs periodically require medical treatment for illness or injury, especially as they get older.
April 2010
