One of the most popular dog breeds is spaniels, which are distinguished by their friendly and cheerful character, active behavior and curiosity. When getting a pet, owners rarely think about the animal's lifespan. It is important to understand that pets have a much shorter lifespan than humans. If there are children in the family, it is necessary to explain to the kids why their pet cannot be with them all their lives. This article will talk about how long spaniels of different types live, what are the features of this breed, and how to extend the life of a pet.
Representative of the Cocker Spaniel breed
Spaniel: features of the breed
Common features of all spaniel varieties:
- long hair, in most cases wavy;
- long drooping ears;
- harmonious physique;
- various colors (black, red, brown and others);
- friendly and cheerful character;
- belong to the category of hunting dogs (with the exception of several decorative species);
- animals swim well;
- high intelligence and learning ability;
- presence of empathy;
- excellent companions for both adults and children;
- can live comfortably both in a city apartment and in a country house (the second option is preferable).
This is interesting! Spaniels are often used to treat children with autism.
Interesting Facts
Cocker spaniels are significantly different from other representatives of hunting dogs. To make sure of this, you should find out interesting facts about this breed.
Dogs have a unique talent for begging for food from the table. They do it so cutely that sometimes their owners can’t stand it and treat them with treats. But doing this is strictly prohibited. Sometimes even the smallest piece of human food can end disastrously for the health of the animal.
Many are inclined to believe that the Russian spaniel is a hunting dog, whose main task is to pick up a bird or chase some animal, but this is not entirely true. When hunting, spaniels pick up a bird and point it at the shot, then run and pick it up and carry it to its owner. There is no need to worry if a shot bird falls into the water. Spaniels are excellent swimmers, so they can easily get game from even a small lake or river.
Spaniel on the hunt
If the spaniel sees a duck or other possible game, he makes a warning stance, rising on his hind legs, after which he sharply jumps forward.
Cocker spaniels are so hardy that they can run after ducks and various animals through the forest and swamp all day long.
On a note! During the hunt, their strength increases several times.
Another very interesting fact is that spaniels are often used by the police or customs service. This is because dogs have a well-developed sense of smell, thanks to which they can find narcotic or explosive substances, even if they are in hard packaging.
Another important fact is their height and weight. They can get into places where large dogs, such as shepherds, cannot get through. People are less afraid of them than shepherds and therefore are able to let dogs get as close to them as possible, and this is sometimes of great importance.
Wherever the pet lives, in an apartment or in a country house, it must be carefully looked after, monitored for health, and then it will live much longer than expected.
Life expectancy at home
On average, spaniels live 12-14 years, but the variability of the period is determined by belonging to a particular breed. Each of them has a number of characteristics, including average life expectancy.
Lifespans of different types of spaniels
The spaniel family consists of more than ten varieties. The most popular (the approximate life expectancy of the breed is indicated in parentheses):
- American cocker (13-15 years old);
- English cocker (12-14 years old);
- Russian spaniel (14-15 years old);
- Irish Water Spaniel (10-12 years old);
- Clumber (13-15 years old);
- field (12-13 years old);
- King Charles (10-12 years old);
- Cavalier King Charles (12-13 years old);
- English springer (can live about 14 years);
- German Wachtelhund (about 13 years old).
On a note! Russian spaniels live longer than most hunting dogs, since the body of these animals wears out very slowly (this is a feature of the breed).
Irish Water Spaniel
Causes of premature death
An owner's life may be darkened by the premature death of a beloved pet. The causes of premature death of a dog are usually:
- Injuries. Since the breed is a hunting breed, the dog can get injured when trying to catch game. Also, no one has canceled random accidents (being very active, spaniels often get hit by cars, and they also have a risk of falling from a height).
- Overweight.
- Poor nutrition (unbalanced, poor quality, stale).
- Poisoning (food, toxic, chemical).
- Untimely treatment.
- Lack of vaccinations.
- Low physical activity (few games, walks).
- Lack of antiparasitic treatment (or its untimely implementation).
Color variations
In accordance with the breed standard, the coat of Russian spaniels can be one-color, two- or three-color.
Black
The coat is solid black, without white markings or with their presence in clearly defined places (forehead, muzzle, throat, chest, belly, paws, tip of tail).
Brown
This color appears in the absence of black pigment; the eyes and nose are also brown.
Ginger
The color of the coat varies from light fawn to dark red, the nose is black or brown, and the eyes are dark brown.
Two-color
This color can be of 2 types:
- contrasting - spots of the primary color are located on the white coat, puppies are born with a pink nose and paws with several specks;
- speckled - almost black coat with blurry, barely visible specks; puppies have dark noses and paw pads.
Both contrasting and speckled puppies have large white markings at birth; the presence of speckling can be predicted by the color of the nose and paw pads.
Tricolor
This color includes the coat of black-piebald and brown-piebald contrasting with tan or speckled colors.
What does life expectancy depend on?
Factors that affect a pet's lifespan:
- Dog health. It is important to conduct regular (at least 2 times a year) preventive examination by a veterinarian. This becomes especially important when the pet reaches 7 years of age.
- Hereditary predisposition to diseases, the presence of genetic abnormalities.
- Quality of keeping and care of animals.
- Food quality.
- Force majeure situations. It is recommended to walk your dog on a leash.
It is better to walk your dog on a leash
Vaccinations and susceptibility to disease
Among the most common diseases of spaniels it is necessary to highlight:
- otitis media (ear inflammation);
- obesity;
- leptospirosis;
- demodicosis;
- piroplasmosis, the main carrier of which is the tick;
- ringworm;
- allergies.
How long do mongrel dogs live at home?
To avoid the manifestation of many of these diseases, it is necessary to get vaccinations on time and visit a veterinarian for a preventive examination. As for nutrition, you should either buy high-quality ready-made super-premium food or natural products. Take care of the fur, monitor the growth and weight of the animal.
Important! By following all the recommendations for caring for an animal, you can not only maintain its health, but also extend its life to 18 years.
The healthy weight of a Russian spaniel is from 15 to 18 kg; exceeding this indicator indicates obesity, so the animal must be urgently put on a diet.
Animal vaccination
Ear diseases
The most vulnerable place is the ears of spaniels. They are quite long with wavy hair and must be carefully groomed. Since the ears are covered, it is not immediately possible to see whether they are dirty or not, so a number of diseases may arise, for example, otitis media. The cause of its appearance can be parasites, fungal infections or viral ones. To avoid this problem, you need to take care of your ears every 2-3 days.
How to find out the age of a pet
You can determine the age of a spaniel in various ways:
- In the teeth. The degree of tooth wear is taken into account. The latter change up to 7 months. If it is clear that the changes have occurred recently, then the animal is no more than 1.5 years old. If there is a yellow coating on the enamel, then the dog is approximately 2 years old. The presence of tartar indicates an age of 3 to 5 years. If several teeth are missing, it can be said that the spaniel is more than 5 years old.
- By wool. The hair of young animals is softer and silkier. Over time it becomes rough and greasy. If the dog is older than 7 years, then bald patches and gray hair may appear on the coat.
- By the eyes. With age, the eyes become cloudy and the pupil dilates.
- By muscle mass. Young individuals have more muscle mass than bone mass, since the dog is highly mobile.
Tips for choosing a puppy
It is better to purchase a baby Russian spaniel from official breeders. Here you can get acquainted with the pedigree of the parents, their achievements, diplomas from exhibitions and more.
Before purchasing a puppy, it is recommended to visit the nursery several times and evaluate the living conditions. Be sure to watch how your baby eats. If he has no appetite, it means he has health problems. A healthy dog's bowl always remains empty.
At 2 months of age, the spaniel stands well on its feet, runs quickly, and takes part in what is happening around it with great interest. Choose a Russian Hunting Spaniel puppy with a clearly visible hump on the nose - this is evidence that over time the muzzle will stretch to the desired size. Individuals with straight or snub noses usually grow up with a short muzzle, which is considered a defect.
Among the pack of puppies, it is easy to spot future leaders. Such dogs become excellent hunters and loyal friends. Children are tested for courage by clapping their hands strongly in silence or by turning them over on their backs and holding them in this position for several minutes. Puppies with the makings of a hunter will react calmly to noise, but will perceive physical impact with obvious anger and will try to get back on their feet.
When choosing, another “test” is also appropriate - waving a rag in front of the puppy’s nose. The potential leader will immediately sense the “prey” and will not let it pass, clinging to it with his teeth.
How to extend the life of a pet
In order for the dog to please its owners for as long as possible, it is necessary to follow a number of simple recommendations:
- Walks should be frequent and long (2 times a day for at least 30 minutes). It is recommended to combine them with games and swimming.
- You need the right diet. It is better to consult a veterinarian on this issue.
- The sleeping area should be arranged so that it is inaccessible to drafts.
- Get regular preventative check-ups with a veterinarian and get vaccinated.
- Before buying a puppy, find out about the health of its parents (if they have diseases that could be inherited).
- You should not allow your dog to become obese.
- Let your pet off the leash only in proven and safe places for walking.
- Treat your dog's skin against ticks and fleas.
- Carry out regular deworming.
- Give your pet enough attention.
Signs of aging
The dog matures by the age of 3-4 years (by this age the animal is fully formed to lead an active lifestyle). After 7 years, the period of aging begins, the main signs of which are:
- dull, rough-to-touch coat (bald patches and gray hair are also present);
- cloudy, faded eyes;
- yellow teeth;
- decrease in muscle mass (replaced by fat);
- decreased physical activity;
- deterioration of hearing, smell, vision;
- sensitivity to cold;
- slow gait.
Care and hygiene
Caring for a spaniel involves the following activities:
- feeding;
- walks;
- washing (once every 3 months), blow-drying and combing (every day during the molting period);
- visiting a veterinarian;
- cleaning ears, eyes, teeth (once a week), claws (usually grinded down independently);
- hygienic hair cutting (1-2 times a month) – hair in the groin, ears, and between the toes is shortened.
On a note! Your dog's paws should be washed after every walk. In winter, the soles are lubricated with protective cream or vegetable oil.
Spaniel haircut
The right diet
The best option is premium or super premium balanced dry food. Instead of ready-made food, you can give your pet natural food, but under no circumstances mix the two types of food.
The diet should consist of 75% lean meat and offal and 25% cereals, vegetables, fruits, fish (boiled without bones), and dairy products.
Important! You should not give your pet fatty, smoked, salty, or sweet foods.
Timely treatment and deworming
The dog is predisposed to diseases such as:
- otitis;
- obesity;
- demodicosis;
- piroplasmosis (infection carried by ticks);
- leptospirosis;
- allergy;
- ringworm.
It is important to notice the symptoms of the disease in time and take your pet to the veterinarian.
Internal parasites negatively affect the state of the gastrointestinal tract and the pet’s entire body as a whole, as they poison organs and tissues with their waste products. Deworming is carried out in autumn and spring. It is also necessary to treat your dog for fleas and ticks in the spring and summer.
Popular nicknames
The choice of a nickname for a pet should be approached responsibly. It is important that the dog’s name is easy to pronounce, sonorous and short - animals quickly remember such words and begin to associate themselves with them.
The male can be called:
- Alan;
- Archie;
- Butch;
- Barney;
- Thunder;
- Wild;
- Kai;
- Kevin;
- Muffy;
- Matt;
- Noah;
- Oscar;
- Pirate;
- Robie;
- Roy;
- Raf;
- Roni;
- Ren;
- Falcon;
- Sebastian;
- Sparky;
- Hoshi;
- Charlie;
- Chance;
- Eric.
Names suitable for girls:
- Amba;
- Arina;
- Amur;
- Boni;
- Snowstorm;
- Dory;
- Dolly;
- Dekla;
- Christie;
- Lika;
- Laura;
- Molly;
- Mary;
- Nika;
- Naida;
- Puma;
- Sparta;
- Arrow;
- Cynthia;
- Secret;
- Ula;
- Frida;
- Chara;
- Yula;
- Clear.
In order for the puppy to quickly remember his name, you need to pronounce it as often as possible and call your pet by name, treating him with a treat - this contributes to better perception and consolidation of positive associations.
Long-lived dogs
The record holder for longevity is the Russian spaniel, whose life expectancy is 14-15 years (the maximum lifespan of a Russian spaniel is 20 years). Second place is occupied by American cockers, who live about 13-15 years (the record number of years is 17). It is known how many years English cocker spaniels live - from 12 to 14, but sometimes they live up to 15 years.
Elderly spaniel
The owner should have an idea of how many years a spaniel can live with proper care. It is important to understand that a person is responsible for the dog and is obliged to provide it with the best living conditions.
Mating
Mating of a Russian spaniel follows the same rules for most breeds. The owner of the bitch must carefully monitor when the dog begins to heat. Ovulation usually occurs 8-10 days after the appearance of vaginal discharge. It is important to prepare for the moment of mating. It is advisable for the male to know the bitch in advance and be friends with her. A few weeks before mating, deworming should be carried out. If the bitch has problems with excess weight, this also needs to be dealt with. The easiest way to do this is by increasing the amount of physical activity and limiting the consumption of flour and high-calorie foods. The condition of both animals must be satisfactory. This will contribute to a successful mating, the birth will go smoothly, and the puppies will be healthy.
Factors influencing lifespan
The life expectancy of dogs is influenced by factors:
- Physical development;
- Does the animal perform loads appropriate for its age and breed;
- Complete rest;
- A balanced diet enriched with nutrients;
- Sufficient communication and attention.
All these quality indicators of life depend 100% on the owner. The way he takes care of his pet shapes the animal’s resistance to stress and various diseases.
A balanced diet from birth lays the foundation for the pet’s physical health for the rest of its life and even into old age. An older dog should be fed soft food to avoid problems with teeth and swallowing.
In old age, animals can suffer from various diseases, most often deteriorating hearing, vision, and disruptions in the urinary system.
Another problem that can significantly reduce the age of any animal is excess weight. Its excess has a bad effect on the pet’s health, affecting the cardiovascular system and bone structure. It is necessary to control the weight of the animal, especially in old age.
Regular medical examinations, vaccinations, timely contacting a veterinary clinic in case of problems - this is what will keep your pet in the right shape. Constantly caring for your pet throughout its life can significantly increase its cycle.
Breeding
An important characteristic when breeding individuals is the health of the future parents. Before mating two dogs, make sure that they do not have any hereditary diseases. The most favorable age for mating is 2 years. Although puberty occurs earlier, it is still recommended to wait to make sure your pets are healthy. The bitch's estrus lasts 71-127 days. It is “visible” to the human eye that occurs in 21-32 days.
The animal's gestation period lasts about 58 days. The average number of puppies is 5. However, even with such a small number, not all survive.
During and after childbirth, a sudden drop in the mother's temperature may occur. Enlist the help of a veterinarian to ensure the process goes smoothly. If your pet is taking too long to give birth, the puppy may be stuck and the birth canal is narrow. Therefore, it is better to enlist the help of your veterinarian in advance.
Ways to extend life
To prolong your pet's life, you need to provide it with proper care.
It is important to devote time to the dog’s psychological state. Pugs are very sociable and friendly, so owners should give their love and affection in return.
Take care of your nerves
When taking home a pug, you need to remember that dogs are peaceful and very sensitive. They cannot be scolded or beaten. A negative attitude is bad for your pet's nerves. The dog becomes intimidated.
It is important to show care, play and pet your pet
Avoid stress
Stressful situations can happen if a person does not pay attention to the dog or is away from home for a long time. When going on a long business trip, your pet should not be left alone
Pugs begin to worry and feel sad. Against this background, various pathologies can develop.
It is also worth protecting a small dog from communicating with large dogs, which can scare the pug.
Gene therapy
Spanish scientists from the National Cancer Research Center (Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncologicas, CNIO) in 2012, under the leadership of director Maria Blasco, proved in practice that in an adult mouse, after a single injection of the drug they developed, which acts directly on the genes of an adult animal, the duration of life.
Further studies on mice showed the safety and effectiveness of this method. Mice that received the "longevity shot" at one year of age lived an average of 24% longer. At the age of two years – 13% longer. In addition, the use of the drug generally improved the health of the study mice, delaying the development of characteristic aging diseases (insulin resistance, osteoporosis) and increasing other important indicators of aging, such as neuromuscular coordination. The study authors claim that "... it may be possible to develop telomerase-based anti-aging gene therapy without increasing the risk of cancer." Based on this study, it can be argued that modern methods of gene therapy are one of the most promising areas of currently emerging therapy to stop aging and radically prolong life.
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Many people have pets - cats, dogs, parrots, etc. However, we should not forget that the life of our smaller brothers is much shorter than that of a human, it is worth finding out in advance how long it will last so that it does not become a shock, especially for children. This article talks about spaniels, the characteristics and varieties of the breed, their average life expectancy, and also provides advice on the optimal care and maintenance of such dogs.
Character traits
Cocker spaniels are playful, responsive and cheerful dogs . Being active and sharp hunters, at home they are the embodiment of kindness and tenderness. They need love, attention and care.
Representatives of this breed are very good-natured and affectionate towards all family members, but, as a rule, they choose one person as the owner and remain faithful to him throughout his life, trying to always stay close and participate as much as possible in his life.
How long do purebred animals live?
According to veterinary experts, there is a clear relationship between the breed and the years measured to the animal. It has been scientifically proven that the smaller the dog, the longer its life.
The vitality of representatives of different breeds varies. This is due to human breeding activities. When developing standards, dogs develop and reinforce features that are often unnatural.
Breeding a breed is fraught with complications, which are expressed in hereditary diseases:
- Chihuahua. These cute little creatures are genetically prone to medial dislocations of the kneecaps, elbow joints, and various dysplasias.
- Dachshund. Natural hunters, with a funny long body on short legs, pay with health for such a body structure. Hereditary pathology in dachshunds is intervertebral disc disease.
- Shar-Pei. Not only in this breed of dog, but in all pets with skin folds, the disease entropion, which is essentially an entropion of the eyelid, is common.
- Rottweilers. Strong, brave, fearless, smart. But they are also susceptible to hereditary diseases - aortic stenosis, Rottweiler leukoencephalopathy, follicular lipidosis.
- Pikines. This ancient breed is distinguished by a special eye structure, for which it suffers from a tendency to eversion of the eyelids, cataracts, and corneal ulcers.
Each breed has its own Achilles heel - dogs with flat faces have problems with the respiratory system, with skin without fur - they suffer from allergies, large pets are often diagnosed with diseases of the joints and bones.
Breeders allow for different situations that affect the life expectancy of dogs:
- Inbreeding;
- Exclusion of the factor of natural selection;
- The appearance of the offspring becomes a priority, not health;
- The lifespan of the progenitors of the offspring is not taken into account.
Dogs of breeds that are less susceptible to selection changes, of medium size, without any special appearance, live the longest. These are terriers, shepherds, huskies.
The presence of long-livers in the family is of great importance. If the pet's parents lived to a ripe old age, then it has every chance of a long life. If we talk about numbers, on average, dogs live about 12 years.
What to feed
The owner chooses the type of food (natural, industrial) for his pet. Both varieties are suitable; each owner decides what is more acceptable and convenient for him. The main thing is to monitor the volume of daily portions and avoid overeating.
Industrial feed
The daily ration is calculated using the formula: 40 g. feed for 1 kg. live weight.
Recommended brands of food:
- Acana Adult Dog Heritag;
- Orijen Adult Dog;
- Bosch Light;
- Brit Care;
- Royal Canin Adult Cocker.
Natural nutrition
Daily norm: from 30 to 60 g. per kilogram of animal weight.
A dog's diet should include:
- lean meat;
- beef tripe;
- lean sea fish fillet;
- quail egg;
- vegetables, greens;
- dairy products;
- bran;
- Brewer's yeast;
- porridge (oatmeal, buckwheat, rice).
Important: game caught during hunting is not included in the diet, so that the dog does not want to spoil the prey.
Cryonics or cryopreservation
Cryonics, or cryopreservation (from the ancient Greek κρύος - “cold; frost”) is a technology that allows you to preserve the bodies of people and animals in a state of deep cold in order to wait for the future, when defrosting technologies become available to revive them, and if a frozen person was now ill with an incurable disease - cure. Now during cryopreservation it is possible to freeze not the whole body, but only the head or brain.
At cryogenic temperatures, there are no significant changes in a biological object (for hundreds and thousands of years) - this fact serves as the basis for supporters of cryonics as a method for achieving life extension.
Nutrition
Many owners wonder: how to feed a cocker? Dogs need to be fed high-quality, natural, balanced food that meets all their needs. Also, food should suit different stages of life. They are not known to be picky about it. The approximate amount of food that should be given to the animal, depending on its activity:
- Weight 11 kg: feed from 148 to 193 g.
- Weight 12 kg: feed from 158 to 207 g.
- Weight 13 kg: feed 165 to 216 g.
- Weight 14 kg: feed from 177 to 232 g.
