A recent study has uncovered new insights into the aging process of dogs, revealing that not all dogs age at the same rate. Smaller dogs, it turns out, live twice as long as their larger counterparts. However, despite their longer lifespans, smaller dogs also experience more rapid aging. The study, conducted by experts from Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, suggests that choosing a dog weighing between 22lbs and 66lbs (10-30kg) may strike the perfect balance. This weight range includes breeds such as Welsh Corgis, Whippets, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and Schnauzers. According to Borbála Turcsán, lead author of the study, this choice can help avoid severe mental health problems in old age for those who prefer smaller dogs, and physical health issues at 7-8 years of age for those who prefer larger dogs.
They’re often referred to as ‘man’s best friend’, but a new study has revealed that when it comes to aging, not all dogs are equal. (stock image of chihuahua)
Research has revealed that smaller dogs live twice as long as their larger counterparts (bottom right graph). However, these diminutive pups age much more rapidly than bigger pooches (bottom left graph), and have more severe aging symptoms (top right graph), according to experts from Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest
Previous studies have shown that smaller dogs have longer lifespans, but the team behind this study sought to understand the impact of size on cognitive abilities as dogs age. By analyzing data on 15,000 dogs, including age, behavior, and cognitive function, they discovered that behavioral and cognitive aging begins around 10.5 years on average. However, the onset and rate of aging vary depending on the dog’s body size. Dogs weighing over 66lbs (30kg) experience an earlier onset of age-related decline, starting as early as two to three years old, but their cognitive decline progresses at a slower rate.
‘Larger dogs experience a physical breakdown at an earlier age, and the accumulating illnesses, and degradation in sensory functions leads to “old age behaviors” long before their mental decline would begin,’ said Borbála Turcsán. (Pictured: a stock image of a Great Dane)
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