The University of Georgia conducted a large study a few years ago that identified the causes of death of more than 80 breeds. The research they did has helped millions of dog owners, veterinarians, and others prevent and treat conditions before and at the onset.
Surprising Results from Research on Causes of Death for Dog Breeds
The researchers were surprised to see results that were atypical of previous studies.
Some of the findings are:
- Chihuahuas, Fox Terriers and Malteses have a high rate of cardiovascular disease.
- Golden retrievers have a high rate of cancer
- Bouvier des Flandres have an even higher rate of death from cancer
- Little dogs live longer than larger ones. This is a surprise since it’s often the opposite with mammals with larger animals living significantly longer than smaller ones.
- Larger breeds are more likely to die from musculoskeletal disease, gastrointestinal disease, and cancer.
- Smaller breeds are more likely to die from metabolic diseases such as diabetes and Cushing’s disease.
These were the major findings of the study that came as a surprise to the researchers. For more information about the study, consider reading the entire study here.
How These Findings Can Help You
It’s good to know what to expect when you are a pet owner. If there are any signs of a condition, you can act immediately to mitigate the effects of the condition. Prevention is important and early detection is essential. Just like in humans, if some diseases and illnesses can be caught in the early stages, it can be treated and cured quite easily and quickly. This can increase the longevity of your pet.
Another way these findings can help you is when you’re looking to welcome a new pet into your home. By knowing what different breeds are known to suffer from, you can determine which breed is best for you. Since one of the major findings from the study is that smaller dogs live longer, you may want to consider one when you’re looking for a new pet. Just know there are no guarantees. These are just generalizations, and the actually longevity of a pet depends on genes and environmental influences.
No one ever wants to think of losing a pet before they even have one, but it is a consideration, especially if you’ve recently suffered the death of a pet. We hope this study can help you make a decision when it comes to the breed you would like to own next.
Please leave a comment below on your experience with choosing a breed. Did you consider causes of death and longevity when you were researching different breeds? How did it help you make a decision?