A recent study published in Scientific Reports suggests that the length of a dog‘s snout may play a role in determining its lifespan. The research, which focused on snout length, size, and sex in relation to canine longevity, analyzed data from nearly 585,000 dogs in the U.K.
The findings indicated that dogs with medium or long-faced breeds, such as miniature dachshunds, papillons, and shiba inus, tended to live longer lives, averaging around 14 years. In contrast, flat-faced breeds like English or French bulldogs and mastiffs had an average lifespan of approximately nine years.
The study also highlighted the significance of a dog’s breed, noting that purebred dogs lived approximately eight months longer than crossbred dogs with two or more breeds. Additionally, smaller dogs generally had longer lifespans than larger ones, and females tended to outlive males.
Kirsten McMillan, the lead author of the study, emphasized the impact of snout length, stating, “A medium-sized, flat-faced male like a bulldog is three times more likely to live a shorter life than a small-sized, long-faced female, like a miniature dachshund or an Italian greyhound.”
The research raises concerns for owners of flat-faced breeds, such as the French bulldog, which gained popularity last year. Dan O’Neill, an associate professor at the Royal Veterinary College in London, emphasized the health implications, noting that flat-faced dogs lived 1.5 years shorter lives than typical dogs.
The study, however, has limitations, as it did not consider factors such as the dog’s daily life with its owners and the cause of death, often attributed to euthanasia. McMillan hopes the research prompts a broader discussion on the health of canine populations, encouraging policymakers, government officials, veterinarians, and owners to explore ways to enhance the well-being of dogs.
