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When it comes to life expectancy, bigger isn't always better when it comes to canine companions. In the world of dogs, small breeds have greater longevity than their larger counterparts—some living up to twice as long. Many factors could be responsible for this phenomenon, but one thing's for sure: some furry friends are around longer than others. Size definitely matters when it comes to canine lifespans. One downer of owning a large breed pooch is that they usually have comparatively shorter lifespans due to their size. Now, this isn't a universal rule and there are exceptions. Some small breeds, such as the Shih Tzu, are fairly short-lived, while some large breeds live uncommonly longer lives. But in general, the smaller the dog, the greater the chance for longevity. This difference in life span means that if you own a smaller dog, you're more likely to get more hours of tail wagging and kibbles and bits for your buck. So why do smaller dogs live longer? Well, when it comes to longevity, size does matter. One explanation for this can be boiled down to basic biology and genetics. The larger a dog is, the more metabolic activity it has to undertake. Dogs with big bodies require extra energy in order to properly sustain themselves and this zaps their life force more quickly over time, leading to a shorter lifespan. It's an issue of effort versus reward — those dainty dogs take less effort to maintain their bodies and so can direct their energy towards living longer lives. Smaller dogs may initially require less energy simply just because their size limits how much energy they expend on their bodily functions; however, genetics may also play a significant role in their longer lifespans. Breeds naturally predisposed to produce smaller sizes require fewer metabolic activities in order to sustain their shorter heights and weigh less. Thus these slender varieties require fewer caloric requirements throughout the day and thus generally outlive bigger breeds. What potential psychological benefits may explain why smaller dogs live longer? The answer lies in attention span — or rather, lack thereof! Smaller sized pooches are often more active and curious than large breeds due to their smaller stature — they're able to make use of overlooked nooks and crannies that larger breeds have no way of squeezing into. Because small dogs remain mentally challenged throughout their entire lives due to their continuously curious antics and physical ability to explore, small dogs often experience less overall stress than larger canines whose size can limit their activities and explorations. And what does stress reduction mean? Longer life spans! In addition, because small breeds age on a more gradual scale, there is less of an apparent decline in physical and cognitive capacity with aging which is known to lead to shorter lifespans. There are many things that factor into why some small dogs live longer than others — from genetics and biology to lifestyle and psychology — the important thing for any loving pup parent is to appreciate every tail wag, romp around the yard and biscuit-snatching moment together. -
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Having a pet can be a huge responsibility but in some cases, particularly when it comes to dogs, having a pet can become even more demanding. Owners of dogs have a huge responsibility when it comes to hosting, ensuring their pet is taken care of and is on its best behaviour. Without respecting the responsibilities of dog ownership, inviting guests over can become a nightmare! That is why it's important to be aware of all the different responsibilities dog owners have when opening their homes to others. First and foremost, owners need to ensure the safety of both their pet and the visitors. A pet dog should have all their shots up to date and owners should assess any risks associated with the presence of their pet in the house. It is also important to consider if any visitor has allergies that could be triggered by being in the same house as a pet and make sure that the environment is prepared accordingly. Additionally, dog owners must also think of laying down rules for visitors to follow such as not to feed the animal or take it for walks without permission. It is also essential for owners to know how to control their pet’s behaviour if it gets too rowdy or aggressive. Dogs should be well-trained and respond to verbal commands from their owner’s in order to ensure order and mutual respect when people come over. If necessary, owners might also want to look into getting a muzzle for the pet, especially if it is big and known to misbehave. Furthermore, it would be wise to designate a spot in the house as a safe area, away from the visitors, which the dog can go to if it feels overwhelmed or uncomfortable. Owners also have to remember to clean up after their pet leaves any messes behind. Cleaning up after the pet is a show of respect towards those who come over and will likely make them much more willing to enter a space where a pet lives. Keeping their pet’s living space immaculate will also be beneficial for the long-term health of their pet and it is a good habit for an owner to develop when sharing their home with others. Finally, owners must remember to be mindful of how their pet interacts with visitors and be watchful of its reactions. If the animal appears scared or aggressive, then the owner should be prepared to intervene and limit any interactions between the pet and guests. Even if the animal appears calm, owners should still be sure to keep an eye out and never let their pet roam free while visitors are in the house. Making sure the pet remains near its owner is the best way to ensure it wont cause any trouble. By understanding and following these responsibilities, dog owners can help make sure the experience of hosting visitors with a pet is a positive and harmonious one. Taking the time to plan out the hosting experience and lay down the ground rules will end up saving everyone involved from potential problems in the future. Being aware of the large responsibilities of pet ownership is an important part of setting your pet and your home up for success.
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