In the end of 2011, the world’s oldest dog, Pusuke died. According to the Guinness Book of records Pusuke was 26 years and 9 months old. For a senior citizen dog, the dog seemed to very health. Living to the age of 26 years is a great achievement, based on statistics only 8 percent of dogs live beyond 15 years. Commonly, it is said that one human calendar year is tantamount to seven dog years. So in other words, Pusuke was 182 dog years.
Is it really possible – Dog 182 years old?
We all know that one human year is equivalent to seven dog years but is it really possible to live to 182 years. Based on reasonable evaluation of gerontology research, we could estimate the real lifespan of Pusuke to have been 100 to 110 years old
for dogs, the physiological and chronological age doesn’t follow a linear relationship. Apparently, young dogs tend to age very fast, while the rate of aging does thereafter slow down in middle age. In late life, the aging process re-accelerates, as for instant:
- A Miniature Poodle is after one calendar year equivalent to 11 dog years old
- A Miniature Poodle is 42 dogs years at middle age, while 14 human years is equivalent to 67 years
- For Great Danes – with shorter lifespan – after one calendar year the dog is 27 years
- Great Danes at 7 years is equivalent to 59 dog years and at 14 years, 98 dog years.
Longevity of Dogs
For mammals such as dogs, their longevity is influenced by various factors such as body weight and breed. Small dogs tend to outlive bigger dogs. This shows that there is an inverse relation between longevity and body weight. This is something that applies uniquely for dogs, as for other mammals the contrary applies.
Researchers Forgot the Cat!
There is less research available on cat age in association to human age. But a Siamese cat is believed to have lived up to 23 years.
Related Articles:
1. Your Dog’s Lifespan Is Determined by Its Personality
2. What Can Human Beings Learn From Dogs Regarding Longevity?
Source: WEB MD
Mon, Jan 16, 2012
Bioscience, Gerontology