According to new research, your furry companion’s snout length, body size, and sex can influence their lifespan. A study published in the journal Scientific Reports found that small males with long noses and medium-sized females with average canine face proportions are likely to live the longest. Lead author Kirsten McMillan, a data specialist at Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog charity, highlighted the importance of snout length and body size. The study found that flat-faced dogs generally had a lower life expectancy, with larger flat-faced breeds such as mastiffs and bulldogs living an average of 9-9.8 years. However, some varieties like Lhasa Apsos still managed to live up to 14 years, showing that there are exceptions to the trends.
The Brachycephalic Working Group has declared “a health and welfare crisis” for flat-faced breeds. Dr. Silvan Urfer, an expert in canine longevity at the University of Washington, commended the study for bringing the issue of short-nosed dog breeding to light. Surprisingly, the study found that purebred dogs lived about eight months longer than mixed breed dogs. However, this result does not account for “designer breeds” such as the labradoodle, which will be examined in a future study. The investigation also did not account for the cause of death, which is usually euthanasia.
The ethical and welfare concerns surrounding dog breeding have become a significant issue, according to McMillan. She hopes that the research will spur policymakers, veterinarians, and dog owners to address the issues. The findings are expected to have implications for the US as well, as pure breeds of dogs are standard around the world. Despite there being many unknowns, the study still represents a step forward in addressing the health problems faced by many dog breeds.