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Name: Fernando
Status: Other
Grade: Other
Location: N/A
Date: N/A
Question:
Ok, we know smaller dogs live longer than big dogs. but why is that? Usually bigger animals live longer than smaller ones,due to their metabolism. Why when it comes to dogs it's the opposite?


Replies:
Oi Fernando!

What a good surprise seeing a brazilian around here!

I am not a vet or a zoologist so cannot answer rigidly your question. But just for the pleasure to satisfy you i went to look at Encyclopaedia Britannica that has a table comparing different (maximum) longevity for animals in captivity.

It seems that are not a direct relation between size and longevity.
Look:

Grizzly bear: 31 years
cat: 21
elephant:57;
squirrel : 15
canary:24
dog: 34 (!!!)
pigeon: 35
frog: 15
box turtle: 123
giant tortoise: 177

See?

Hope somone else gives you a more precise answer.

Thanks for asking NEWTON!

Mabel
(Dr.Mabel Rodrigues)
Click here to return to the Veterinary Topics Archive

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