Dog lifespans—how can you extend them?

"Dogs live too short. Famous author Agnes Sligh Turnbull said, "Their only fault.  

All dog lovers know that no matter how long they live, it's never enough. Anyone who has gazed at their dog and hoped they could live forever is not alone.   

Unfortunately, we don't have these powers, so we keep on researching and advancing veterinary medicine to give our pets the best and longest lives we can.  

The experts told us which dogs have the longest lifespans, how long your dog can live depending on their breed, size, and lifestyle, and how to improve their health and extend their time with you.  

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Dogs, on average, live anywhere from 10 to 13 years," explains Bone Voyage Dog Rescue veterinary advisor Cheri Honnas, DVM.   

However, "average" is key. The Guinness World Record for the oldest dog is 31-year-old Bobi, a Rafeiro do Alentejo, which lives 12 to 14 years.   

Bobi shows that with proper care, dogs may live longer than predicted. Other factors can also dramatically affect dog lifespan.  

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