Small dogs outlive bigger breeds: Scientific study unlocks reasons behind surprising lifespan gap
Choosing a pet dog inevitably means considering that we will likely outlive them. Imagining life without them is difficult, as they become integral members of our family. Nonetheless, researchers have found that small dogs live significantly longer than larger ones. The reason behind this has been uncovered.
9:02 AM EST, January 23, 2024
Scientific investigation into dog lifespan
The researchers from the University of Washington aimed to clarify doubts about whether small dogs indeed have a longer lifespan than larger ones. Unfortunately, their findings confirm this fact.
The research involved scrutinizing about 25,000 dogs across the USA, encompassing 238 breeds. Their results, published in the "PLOS ONE" academic journal, are substantial. Larger dogs have a higher propensity for severe illnesses, leading to a shortened lifespan.
According to the researchers, larger pets are particularly prone to cancer, bone diseases, and gastrointestinal problems. Larger breeds were also more inclined to neurological and endocrine disorders.
Reasons for the longer lifespan of small dogs
Through their research, the scientists have been able to establish not only that small dogs live longer but also that they are significantly less susceptible to diseases common in larger dogs. However, this does not imply that small dogs weighing less than 22 lbs are immune from diseases.
Experts noted that smaller pets are more prone to issues related to the eyes, heart, and respiratory system. Liver and pancreas diseases are also potential threats. This does not mean that larger dogs are immune to these problems. They can still face these issues; statistically, they are less predisposed to them than smaller breeds.
Interestingly, the study noted that the size of dogs does not significantly influence kidney and urinary tract diseases.
