Small Dogs Live Longer Than Large Dogs

Research has found that large dogs live about 5 to 8 years, while small dogs average 10 to 14 years.
Small Dogs Live Longer Than Large Dogs
Within a given species, the smaller animals generally live longer than the larger ones. This has been documented in a number of species, but nowhere is it more pronounced than with dogs, probably because their size range—from the massive mastiff to the tiny Chihuahua—is so extreme. Natallia Yaumenenka/Shutterstuck
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Q: Among the dogs I’ve had over the years, my small dogs lived longer than my large dogs. Is this generally true? If so, why?

A: Yes, it’s true, though no one is completely sure why.

Lee Pickett
Lee Pickett
Author
Lee Pickett, VMD, practices companion animal medicine in North Carolina. Contact her at AskTheVet.pet. Copyright 2024 Lee Pickett, VMD. Distributed by Creators.com