Yes, 22 is quite old.
However, this gentleman
http://www.pbase.com/britestar/senior_ward_gallery is actually
older. Ward just celebrated another birthday a few days ago. I feel
blessed beyond words. A dog his age obviously does not have as good
of eye sight nor hearing as a young dog. Nevertheless, Ward gets
around quite well on his own, lives a very good life, and seems
extremely happy. He may now have quite a bit of grey in his hair,
sleep a lot more, and have fewer teeth plus a slight heart murmur.
Meanwhile, he still has totally clear eyes (something fairly unusual
past 20) and hears louder noises. He also acts like any normal Chi;
just slower. Five year younger, Blazin has a cataract starting on
one eye, but I've seen far younger dogs with far worse cataracts in
both eyes. He still hears perfectly. And amazingly he has most of
his teeth!!! He's only missing some tiny front ones. That is VERY
rare for a Chi of this advanced age. Obviously if he lives long
enough, his cataract will worsen. Nevertheless, that won't make him
any less precious nor have a bad life. In the past, I've had a few
really old Chis with cataracts that did effect their
vision. Fortunately, dogs can adapt quite well to the loss of their
sight and continue to live a normal life. Blazin's hearing seems
completely normal at this point in time. And he also seems to see
okay because the cataract isn't very bad yet.
As for being a World Record holder, I truthfully wouldn't want the
"title" for any of my dogs. IMHO, the Guinness stuff kind of gives a
dog "freak status". I just want my dogs to live long, healthy lives;
which most seem to do. Ward, however, has been especially remarkable
in that department. My average Chis usually only live to about 18 or
19. For us to lose one in the normal middle teens (which we
sometimes have) always seems "young" to me. Although the majority of
my dogs live to be extremely elderly, I still consider every day past
18 as a special blessing.
My two current 16 (going on 17) year olds (born a month apart) look
and act like they are only 7 or 8. If you saw them in person, you
wouldn't guess they are older. They are the children of Blazin's
litter brother. These 16 year olds are both very frisky and in
really great, overall shape. They still run and play like
youngsters. They also both have perfectly clear eyes & perfect
hearing. However, one now has a very slight heart murmur. The other
has a touch of pancreatitis. Fortunately, meds seem to be keeping
their conditions well under control. The rest of their health is
excellent at this time.
However as with older people, keeping older dogs healthy can become a
rather expensive affair. Mine go to the vet every month or two just
for "routine" check ups. These regular check ups make it more
possible to catch possible "old age" problems early. Often, that may
then help an old dog stay in pretty good health and thus live
longer. Of course, long life is a combination of both good care and
good genetics. I've seen 7 year old Champion Chihuahuas from other
bloodlines look and act far older than even my 22 year old. That
really makes me wonder about their genetics!!!
Because of all the various, extremely elderly Chis I've known over
the years (owned by me and by others), I feel that twenty-one is
somewhat young for a dog to hold the "World's Oldest" title. I bet
there were actually older dogs than that during the same time
frame. However, I think a dog's owner must apply to have their pet
recognized as a World Record holder. A lot of pet owners don't know
about that or else just aren't interested in this kind of
publicity. So the title then goes to a "younger" dog than some of
the other currently still-living seniors who have actually seen more
birthdays and can prove it.
When looking up the World's Oldest Dog, this is what I found
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_oldest_dogs Twenty nine is
quite old for a dog!!! I'd sure love to see my own dogs live to be
that old in good health. Knowing that it is possible for a dog to
live 29 years, I hope that Ward will have a couple more good
years. Knock on wood. Double knock on wood!!! I find it
interesting that not one of the "official" World's Oldest Dog title
holders has ever been a Chihuahua. However, I know very that many
Chis have lived well past 20 years old and some past even 27. Guess
none of their owners, however, were interested in the Guinness thing.
I was amazed to see a Bernese Mountain Dog still living at 27 years
old. According to this Web Site
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/bernesemountain.htm a Bernese Mountain
Dog's normal life span is only "About 6-8 years. The average lifespan
of the Bernese has decreased in recent years from 10-12 yrs to 6-8
yrs. The BMD Club of America did a health survey in 2000 with 1,322
dogs. The average age of death was 7.2 yrs." This same Web Site
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/chihuahua.htm says that Chihuahuas have a
life span of "About 15 or more years." I can't image loving a
Bernese Mountain Dog (a wonderful Breed) and know that you'll
probably lose them by the age of just 7. Meanwhile, a seven year old
Chihuahua is still a fairly young dog with many years still ahead of it.
Check out this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjgRvaDCOaI If
that Chi is actually 32 years old in human years, she sure looks in
great shape!!! In fact, actually "too great" to actually be 32 year
old... Nevertheless IF for some reason this were true (and I doubt
it), 32 is REALLY old - even for a Chihuahua!!! Them thair would be
some amazing doggy genes...
Liz
Wow 22 that is amazing. Of course these things are never clear, but the 'oldest
dog' thing is often quoted at 21, so who knows, maybe a record. If you search
around the net you mostly see 21 and 26 as the oldest claims. He looks great in
the pic, how is he doing these days, sight? hearing?
