Welcome to the Week’s Review of Canine Social Media – 9/3/22
Welcome to this Special Feature on the DoggieU K9 Blog for an update on this week’s dog-related media and social media from around the world. There are so many stories. Here we will share some of the best stories this week.
Enjoy & share them.
Is It True That Small Dogs Live Longer Than Large Dogs?
Ask the Vet
In an ‘Ask the Vet’ interview with Lee Pickett, DVM who practices companion animal medicine in North Carolina. here is the Q&A:
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.
When you think about the many species of mammals, you realize that large mammals live longer than small mammals. For example, elephants live much longer than mice.
However, 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.
Research has found that large dogs live about 5 to 8 years, while small dogs average 10 to 14 years.
A study of over 50,000 dogs comprising 74 breeds that examined size, age at death and cause of death confirmed that this occurs because large dogs actually age faster than small dogs.
Large breeds of dogs also develop cancer and die of it more often than small breeds. Scientists note that the rapid cell growth and division needed for dogs to achieve their large size is also typical of cancer development and spread.
More research is being done to further explain why small dogs live longer than large dogs. In the meantime, enjoy every moment with each of your dogs, regardless of their expected longevity.
[Link to more Q&A]
America’s Most Popular Breeds
Recently we celebrated National Dog Day and the AKC took the opportunity to highlight and celebrate the most popular breeds in the US.
According to the American Kennel Club, the Labrador Retriever remains the country’s most popular dog.
The Labrador Retriever has topped the AKC’s annual top dog list for the last 31 years. The club ranks the most popular breeds based on registration statistics for the previous year.
AKC Top 10 Dog Breeds
1. Labrador Retrievers
2. French Bulldogs
3. Golden Retrievers
4. German Shepherd
5. Poodles
6. Bulldogs
7. Beagles
8. Rottweilers
9. German Shorthaired Pointer
10. Dachshunds
Some wonderful dog situations from Social Media
Click to enlarge pics and for slide show view
[Link]