Size versus Longevity

[Freestep]

Originally Posted by shilohsmom

Hopefully as some of the posts imply, perhaps he won't have such a shorter life because of his size.

Hopefully, if you keep him lean and healthy, he won't have too many of the troubles that tend to plague giant dogs.

Curious, was he big when he was a puppy, or was he normal size at birth and just kept growing?

[Jax08]

I think genetics and overall health throughout their lives makes as much of a difference as their size does. My collie was 85 lbs, 14 1/2 years old when we let him go. All his organs were in perfect condition but his hips went on him and he was in so much pain. If that hadn't happened, he could have easily lived many more years.

[shilohsmom]

Originally Posted by Freestep

Hopefully, if you keep him lean and healthy, he won't have too many of the troubles that tend to plague giant dogs.

Curious, was he big when he was a puppy, or was he normal size at birth and just kept growing?

I'll admit he was a large puppy. In fact, I was a bit surprized when I pulled him out of the crate at the airport-it seemed he just kept coming and coming and there was no end on that pup .

[Mom2Shaman]

This poll reminds me of when we fly our RC jets. Inevitably someone in the crowd says "I hope one crashes". No you don't, it cost $10K to $20K and really really hurts when you have spent all the money, time to build, etc. That's not cool.

If you want huge, choose a mastiff and know it is a short-timer in your life. I will prefer a mentally and physically sound dog above all. I also see large dogs and feel bad knowing the little ones are practically immortal and the big ones we have to send across all too soon. I have chosen a small one for just that purpose having recently loss my large Aussie to cancer what I thought to be 3 to 4 years too soon.

I see your point, to get people thinking about the whole picture. This question is not about anyone's particular dog and it's size. It's kind of rhetorical. What ARE you breeding for? What ARE you asking a breeder for. What DO you really want and why?

[shilohsmom]

Originally Posted by Mom2Shaman

This poll reminds me of when we fly our RC jets. Inevitably someone in the crowd says "I hope one crashes". No you don't, it cost $10K to $20K and really really hurts when you have spent all the money, time to build, etc. That's not cool.

If you want huge, choose a mastiff and know it is a short-timer in your life. I will prefer a mentally and physically sound dog above all. I also see large dogs and feel bad knowing the little ones are practically immortal and the big ones we have to send across all too soon. I have chosen a small one for just that purpose having recently loss my large Aussie to cancer what I thought to be 3 to 4 years too soon.

I see your point, to get people thinking about the whole picture. This question is not about anyone's particular dog and it's size. It's kind of rhetorical. What ARE you breeding for? What ARE you asking a breeder for. What DO you really want and why?

Thank you. Thats exactly what I'm hoping people will think about.

[wildwolf60]

We have had many GSD's, most of which we had purchased as pups, and weren't picking for size, but for health and temperament. The last 3 were adopted, and again, picked for the same reasons. The largest of our pups we had previously owned was about 85lbs at his prime. Of course, our latest adoption, Jaeger, is huge..very tall, lean and long. He towers over our Luna... About 100 lbs so far, he just turned 2 in Jan. We love him dearly! I'm just hoping that he lives a long and healthy life with us!
Don't know where he was bred, but he is a fullblooded GSD, and hopefully his size will not stop him from having a long happy life!

Just my 2 cents worth.

[onyxena]

I do prefer a larger size dog, but within reason! I really do not want a dog over 100#, but really like the size of my two. Sasha is right around 80, Dasher, 88-91. Perfect in my opinion. They are both active, seem to be sound physically and have the look I like. Not sure how long they will live, both are around 4 now.

My SIL had a Newfie and a great Dane (not at once) and both died WAY too young! The Dane came from a supposedly good breeder, and was to be show dog, but for some reason was not competitive and so they rehomed for no money. GORGEOUS dog!In his prime he weighed in around 170! At 4 he was already looking like an older dog. She put him down about 4 months ago due to bone cancer. He was only 6. Very sad.

The Newfoundland she bought as apuppy, not sure about breeder, but he had many health issues in his short life. She came home from work for lunch as usual on day and he was gone. Vet thought his heart gave out. he was not even 5 at the time.

So, I really have no desire for a dog of extreme size. If I had a 100 # dog that had a good healthy 9 years or so, that would be okay I guess, but to have an elderly dog at age 5 is so sad! On the other hand, my MIL has a mini dachshund that is 14 and shows no signs of aging at all. Not a dog I would want to have around for 17 years.....