I'm not suggesting raising dogs "for" the pet market, just acknowledging that most of us sell at least one pet from every litter, and even consider our own dogs to be our companions. The cavalier is meant to be a companion, and he is a better companion if he doesn't break the bank due to the heart medication required at a young age, or worse yet, has to be euthanized for bad temperament because "his owners spoiled him".
Vet Rec 1999 Nov 27;145(22):625-9 Longevity of British breeds of dog Michell AR. Centre for Small Animal Studies, Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, Suffolk. The results of a questionnaire provided data about owners' perceptions of the cause of death of over 3000 British dogs. The mean age at death (all breeds, all causes) was 11 years one month, but in dogs dying of natural causes it was 12 years eight months. Mongrels lived longer than average but several breeds lived longer than mongrels, for example, Jack Russells, miniature poodles and whippets. Smaller dogs had longer lifespans. And from author Chris Walcowicz: Toy Breeds: Affenpinscher 12-14 years Brussels Griffon 12-15 years Chihuahua 16-18 years Chinese Crested 15-16 years English Toy Spaniel 10-12 years Italian Greyhound 13-15 years Maltese 12-15 years Toy Manchester Terrier 14-20 years Miniature Pinscher 14-15 years Papillon 14-15 years Pekingese 13-15 years Pomeranian 12-17 years Toy Poodle 12-14 years Pug 12-14 years ShihTzu 10-14 years Silky Terrier 15-16 years Yorkshire Terrier 12-14 years There are a few breeds listed in the book with longevity right at/less than 10 years: Labrador Retriever 10 years Bloodhound 7-9 years Irish Wolfhound 6 years Great Dane 8 years Greater Swiss Mtn Dog 10 years Kuvasz 10 years Newfoundland 10 years Mastiff 8-10 years Rottweiler 8-9 years St Bernard 9 years Bulldog 8-9 years French Bulldog 10 years Australian Cattle Dog 10 years I'm sure a few of these are not quite right, but most of us will be able to see a pattern; small dogs should live longer than large dogs. Leanne ========================================================= "Magic Commands": to stop receiving mail for awhile, click here and send the email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20NOMAIL to start it up gain click here: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20MAIL E-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] for assistance. Search the Archives... http://apple.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ckcs-l.html All e-mail sent through CKCS-L is Copyright 2002 by its original author.
