Which Dogs Live Longer - Large Dog Breeds or Small

Before you run off and buy a large dog breed, know that as a rule small dog breeds live longer than large breeds. Naturally, there are exceptions to every rule. But think that when the average life expectancy of a dog is 12 years - Jack Russell terriers and Chihuahua often live around 14 years, sometimes longer.

Great Danes and mastiffs live only 8 to 10 years. The record for a dog is 29 years, 5 months. (Australian cattle dog.)

I think the biggest influence of the lifespan of a dog is their food. Some say it is related to the IGF-1 hormone. Maybe - but I still say it relates to diet. And one more note of interest.

As breeders breed dogs bigger and bigger, it may be that their system is not developing as fast as the size of the dog. Because of this, large dog breeds just wear out. Do you agree?

Comment if you like and let me know what you fell. Smaller dogs seem to fit into their breed bodies better. Just a thought.