The dog is the domestic sub species of the wolf and has been (and continues to be) one of the most widely-kept working and companion animals in human history. The dog has developed into many breeds and choosing a dog is an extremely personal choice. Some people prefer small to medium dogs while others just have to have a large dog. My personal choice has always been for large dogs but they aren't as suitable to have indoors as smaller breeds although I am sure many people have their big dogs inside. You should take your own lifestyle into consideration when choosing a dog, as with my Major Mitch who should never have been confined to a built up suburban back yard. Unless you are prepared to walk a dog and provide plenty of room for it to run, consider getting a dog that doesn't need as much space or walking. Of course a great way to keep fit is to walk with your dog no matter the size!!

A dog goes through several stages in its life just like we do. Between 0 - 2 years of age dogs are growing both physically and mentally. This is the kid stage and just like kids, can get up to all sorts of mischief and inappropriate behaviours. They need to be taught gently and with love, just like our kids, what is acceptable and what's not. They also need to learn that you are the leader of the pack and not them!! Nutrition at this time is very important as it will lay the foundation for a healthy life. Exercise shouldn't be too rigorous no matter how much the pup wants to play especially in breeds that are susceptible to hip dysplasia and bone disease.

Between 2  - 5 years of age the dog is considered adult and should be fully grown. Diet should maintain fitness without causing weight gain.  Their behaviour should be established and training should be complete.

Between 5 - 8 years is middle age for dogs and the dog slows down and may show some health problems like heart murmurs or arthritis just like us humans!! This is when they also tend to put on weight just like us humans too and like us may need to be encouraged to exercise. A low calorie diet is good all round too.

Over 8 is old age, the dog will go grey, have trouble getting up and eye sight and hearing starts to go (sounds familiar). Care needs to be taken to keep them warm and comfortable. At this stage of their lives too many dogs are forced to endure pain and suffering due to ill health because  their owner's can't face losing their dog. Few dogs go gently in their sleep and forcing them to suffer for our needs is not right.  When the end of their life is near and the quality of life is no longer there, consider their needs over ours and allow them to go with dignity and the minimum of pain. It is the most important act we can perform for our years of friendship.


Here's a table with the life span of some dogs just to give you an idea of how long you may have your dog for:

 

Dogg	Life Span
Irish Wolfhound	6 - 7 years
Great Dane	7 - 10 years
Doberman Pinscher, Rottweillers	8 - 10 years
Collie (Rough)	9 - 11 years
Boxer	9 - 11 years
American Cocker Spaniel, Pugs, Poodle (Standard)	10 - 12 years
Shetland Sheepdog, Shih Tzu, English Springer Spaniel	10 - 12 years
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel , German Shepherd	10 - 12 years
Labrador Retriever, Pugs	10 - 12 years
Bichon Frise, Golden Retriever	10 - 13 years
Beagle, Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese	11 - 13 years
Border Collie, Miniature Schnauzer	12 - 14 years
Lhasa Apso, Poodle (Miniature), Poodle (Toy)	12 - 15 years
Chihuahua	13 - 15 years
Jack Russell Terrier	13 - 15 years

In the middle years of the dog's life they roughly equal 7 times human years but at 8 months the dog equates to 13 years in a human and at 15 years they are about 75 in human years.