Key to long and happy life for dogs is a pointy nose, says study
SMALLER dogs with pointy noses live the longest, a study has found.
It is well known that larger dogs have shorter lives but little research has been done on the nuances of canine life expectancy. Dogs were grouped by size and shape and small dogs with long, pointy noses lived for the longest, according to the data, with an average lifespan of 13.3 years.
However, their mid-sized brachycephalic (flat-faced) cousins only live for nine years, on average. Even larger dogs with a normal snout live longer than a flat-faced dog, the study found.
Females tend to live longer than males, and a medium-sized flat-faced dog, like an English bulldog, is almost three times more likely to have a short life than a small long-nosed terrier. The study for Dogs Trust gathered the most extensive dataset of British dogs yet, from sources including the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, RSPCA, Kennel Club, Blue Cross, Direct Line, Medivet, Vets4pets, and Dogs Trust itself.
Dr Dan O’neill, chairman of the Brachycephalic Working Group, which has long investigated the health concerns of flat-faced dogs, said: “It is crucial the public prioritises health over what they might think looks ‘cute’ and we urge anyone considering getting a flat-faced breed to stop and think and to ensure they acquire a dog with the best chances of a long and happy life.”
Dr Kirsten Mcmillan, the lead author and data manager at Dogs Trust, said: “The findings have important implications. We hope this study can help breeders, policymakers, funding bodies, and welfare organisations improve the welfare of companion dogs.”
The study was published in Scientific Reports.
‘It is crucial the public prioritises health [when choosing a dog] over what they think looks “cute”’