The life expectancy of a dog in general is 10 to 15 years. Dogs move from puppyhood to adulthood at around 1 year of age, 2 to 5 years of age are the prime of life, after 7 years of age they enter old age, and at around 10 years of age, reproduction ceases. Puppies kept indoors live relatively long lives, with some living up to 20 years. The lifespan of a dog is related to its size and feeding management and other conditions. Small dogs generally live longer than large dogs, and the length of a dog’s life is not only a factor of individual size, but mainly the way the owner feeds the dog. For example, a native dog kept in the countryside is fed human leftovers, bones and other food for a long time, which increases its chances of getting sick, thus leading to a survival time that is less than half the life expectancy of an ordinary dog. For dogs that are fed dog food and have their immunisations done, they will live to an average age. Owners should have regular check-ups after the dog is 5 years old to detect and treat the disease early.
