[gemy]

I think we can go by an old rule of thumb; what helps to make humans live longer is also what helps to make dogs live longer.

The order of these things can be up for debate; but;

1. Lots of love and enjoyment - You give the love, and you provide lots of opportunities for doggy enjoyment.

2. Excerise a lot and in a lot of different ways. Normal walks of course. But trick training and obedience training really exercises not only the body but their mind. Think of agility, discus, earth dog, tracking, flyball, dock jumping; the list is almost endless.

3. Routines are important. Good sleep - nice play times - good naps

4. Keep care of their teeth. Do dentals if necessary. ANd regular grooming. Ears, nails, paws. Always touch your dog everywhere regularly. Know their regular bumps and lumps all over their body. What is their resting heart rate; respiration? Then you do know when things change. Examine and by that I mean look at their eyes, inside their ears, and quite frankly their private parts.

5. Give lots of water all the time.

6. Find a good quality food that works for y our dog

7. Regular vet care - and also regular full blood panel done. This will hopefully catch anything early.

8. Train your dog for basic obedience. So many dogs get run over by cars, or bolt out the door to be lost for-ever.

9. Finally yes genetics do play an important role. But so does environment. And for the most part you have control over their environment.

And now my last word is, try to keep close to your breeder. You in particular want to know if any litter member is diagnosed with any health condition, or their sire or dam. A good breeder should keep in contact with you as well. And a good breeder wants to know over the lifetime of their puppies their health.

There are many diseases that don't rear their head until after 3 4 or even 5 years old. Thyroid disease is one. Heart, and eye disease is another.

I wish you a long and healthy life with your pup.