Vets reveal the exact age at which they consider your dog OLD
For many puppy owners, the thought of your dog getting old is enough to bring tears to their eyes.
But a new study suggests that some breeds age much faster than others.
Researchers from the University of Liverpool have identified the exact age at which six common breeds are considered ‘old age’ by vets.
On average, vets say dogs should be described as ‘old’ at 12.5 years of age.
However, smaller breeds age more slowly, with some puppies not living until 14.1 years old.
Larger breeds, on the other hand, are considered old much earlier, with some breeds being classified as ‘old’ at 12.1 years of age.
“This study allowed us, for the first time, to investigate when veterinarians begin to notice that dogs are now at a stage in their lives where they consider them ‘elderly’ or ‘senior’,” said Carri Westgarth, who led the study.
So, how does your dog perform?
For many puppy owners, the thought of your dog getting old is enough to bring tears to their eyes. But a new study suggests some breeds age much faster than others (stock image)
Jack Russell Terriers (pictured) were not considered old until 14.1 years, while mixed breeds were ‘old’ at 13.2 years
Previous research has shown that the British dog population is living longer.
It is estimated that older dogs represent 30 to 40 percent of all patients seen in veterinary practices.
Despite this, scientists have so far been unable to pinpoint exactly when vets consider dogs ‘old’.
“Understanding the characteristics of healthy aging and distinguishing this from the adverse effects of age-related diseases could improve the treatment of dogs in the senior and geriatric stages of life,” the team wrote in their study, published in the journal The Guardian. Journal of Small Animal Practice.
In their new study, the team analyzed veterinary data from 832 senior dogs from six popular breeds.
Their analysis found that, for all 832 dogs, the average age at which veterinarians considered them old was 12.5 years.
Jack Russell Terriers were not considered old until 14.1 years, while mixed breeds were considered ‘old’ at 13.2 years.
‘This higher age of Jack Russells is consistent with findings on age at euthanasia in dogsas well as from a previous study showing that Jack Russell terriers had a longer life expectancy of 12.7 years,” the researchers explained.
Labrador Retrievers (pictured) were classified as old at 12.1 years, other breeds at 12.3 years and Cocker Spaniels at 11.7 years
Border Collies were considered old at 12.7 years, followed by Springer Spaniels at 12.5 years.
Labrador Retrievers, meanwhile, were classified as old at 12.1 years, other breeds at 12.3 years and cocker spaniels at 11.7 years.
The study also identified the top five health problems in older dogs.
Weight-related problems, including overweight, underweight and weight loss, topped the list, affecting 35 percent of dogs.
Musculoskeletal problems followed, affecting a third (33 percent) of the dogs examined.
These problems include stiffness and mobility problems.
Thirty-one percent of the older dogs suffered from dental problems.
Meanwhile, 28 percent of those surveyed experienced some kind of skin problem, such as lumps, infections or hair loss.
Finally, 22 percent of dogs experienced digestive problems in old age, including vomiting and diarrhea.
Overall, the researchers say the findings highlight that the rate at which dogs age is not ‘one-size-fits-all’.
‘Although veterinarians are often all too aware of the changing health and welfare challenges associated with caring for an old dog, definitions of old age have varied and even randomly,” they added.