Part of conventional wisdom instructs us that one year of any dog’s life is worth seven in man (homo sapiens) and over time we have come to accept that as accepted truth. Well, not so. Even Snopes.Com has weighed in to correct our wrong notions about this truism.A couple of clear but general benchmarks for earnest dog lovers. Generally, small breed dogs live longer than big breed dogs. Per current history, longer living dogs can live to be over 20 years (record shows one living for 27 years).
Like us, abuse-prone creatures, the life span of dogs also depends on a host of factors. Genetics, environment, life style, and for dogs, even the type of breeds, etc.
And with dogs too, there is the at times forgotten angle to their life spans, that some dogs age slower than other dogs of different breeds. Meaning, two dogs born on the same day may grow, or “mature” differently. Thus, one may be said to be older than the other, though born at the same time.
To be realistic then, many would agree that a typical dog year is more like five years of human life.
Hey, no problem here. So you, Princess, are now two and one-half years old having been born about 6 months ago.
Another six months and you will be considered full-grown or mature. Enjoy the rest of your childhood!
For more on Princess, click here and here.
What a cute pooch!
ReplyDeleteMy cocker spaniel lived for 17 years. I miss him to this day and sometimes dream of him, too. But as much as dogs are incredible companions, it's a big responsibility having one, but then again perhaps, I should've listened to a friend when she used to remind me that I should treat my dog a dog, not as if like a human child. Oh, well ...
Hi, Eric:
ReplyDeleteJust got back to Tracy after an absence of about 5 months, so this pooch has been left behind with the wife in Cagayan de Oro.
When I start missing him, will have to make do with my daughter's maltese who is named Prince.
You are right taking care of a dog is a big responsibility much like rearing a child. This I am finding out as Princess gets older.