Is it true?
 

Is it true that smaller dogs don't live very long? My friend was just yelling at me about my Daisy, she said why would you get a dog that small and it's not even going to live for 2 years! I almost cried, I hope my Daisy lives longer than that! :( :( :( She insists that the Yorkie has the smallest life-span, and she said since Daisy is so tiny she probably won't even live as long as the regular life-span! She has a small dog to a shizu (spelling?) but she says that her dog has a longer life-span. I'm doubting this, since she not a really good friend, and I just think she wants me to feel awful about getting a Yorkie, which she has acomplished! But I just wanted to make sure, so will you please help me?

what kind of nutcase told you that? Yorkies have a typical lifespan of 12-15 years, but can live as long as 30, givin the proper care and medical attention.

I never heard such a thing but you're friend is a little whacked lol Ignore that person. Your baby is gonna be just fine. She will be with you for the long haul as long as she's loved and see's the vet when she's supposed to.

Thank you, that really helps alot... She made me feel so bad just about getting my Daisy!

Oh my, the ignorance of some people (excuse the harshness). But that was extremely insensitive of your friend to say that, in my opinion. Small breed dogs do typically live a shorter life than larger breeds but not always. And definitely not THAT much shorter! I had a toy poodle that lived to be 15 years old. Some say the average life span of a dog that size is around 12. I'd have to let someone else that has had Yorkies longer than I have (mine is only 15 months old) tell you the normal lifespan of this breed specifically but two years is not what you should expect. Sorry she made you so upset....


Looks like you got more advice before I could post mine. I'm glad.

That is total rubish. My Aunt's Yorkie lived for 16 years, and another friend has a 12 year old. I intend to go about the same time as my Jack, and I am 60, he is 6 months.

Our Mocha was about 4 lbs & lived to be 15 1/2 years old. Not ONE single health problem - never visited the vet except when she was spayed at 7 mo.!!! Kodah our new Yorkie is 16 weeks & weighs 1 lb 5 oz. - she is healthy & fiesty as ever!!! On the average these dogs with proper care live to be an average of 12 - 15 years! The little ones may be a little more prone to health risks, but that doesn't mean that they WILL have health issues. Love your Yorkie, treat her well & by all means ENJOY your yorkie & don't live in fear!

Smaller dogs lifespan is actually longer than that of larger dogs, but I do think that a lot of smaller dogs meet with unfortunate accidents more than the larger ones do. Wehn the smaller ones get loose and run they are not seen as easily by drivers and I have heard where many have been run over, and also really small dogs are seen as food for prey animals. Several yorkies have been taken by hawks, eagles, fox and coyote's, some right in front of their owners eyes. This does decrease their life span considerably.

Actually Larger Breed Dogs have a SHORTER life span than the Smaller Breed Dogs.... so your yorkie in reality should live longer than say a rott.

I have two rotties and one yorkie... the rott life span is 8-10 years, BUT my vet has seen one live as long as 12 years. My oldest Rotty is 10, but is now being medicated for her arthritis... I am not sure how much longer she will be with us, because I don't believe in letting them be in pain... she may be losing her bladder control.. I am not sure she just didn't have an accident, but this is the second accident she has had in her bed.... she is a very proud dog, and was hanging her head low this am. If it continues then we have to start looking at options... I am not going to let her live being ashamed of herself, even though she can't help it. Her meds are not working as well any more either, so I am afraid she won't make it this year. She is at max dose on a controversial med. (her liver functions and kidney functions were fine last month, she is getting checked every 1-3 months)

Anyways, sorry for the ramble, but wanted to make sure you had the correct info... smaller dogs when healthy will live longer than bigger dogs when they are healthy.

sorry, I saw someone else was posting at the same time I was correcting the life span of smaller vs. larger.... (I am too long winded :rolleyes: )

That is insane! Why would someone say that if they didn't know the facts?! A woman I work with just had to have her Maltese put to sleep after 17 years and another woman I know has a 14 year olf Yorkie that is still kicking & active! Look forward to a nice long life with your baby!!

Yes, you're right, of course! I had my head turned around also when I first posted. Larger dogs have shorter life spans typically. My sister and brother-in-law have a Great Dane and I know one of their biggest concerns before getting it was the short life span. It's hard to let a pet go at any age but knowing that you may only have 8-10 years with your dog is a little sad. I stand corrected! :D

There is never any guarantee that your dog will be healthy and live a long life. The best advice you've gotten here is to love your baby and do all you can to make sure he/she is well taken care of.

That must be the same on I had my lab on the last year of her life. I chose the quality of her life over the quanity, even though I knew the risks. I'll be darned if my mind will remember the name of it, but it did help ease her pain that last year.

Sounds like a mean spirited friend to me,,, sounds like she was trying to hurt your feelings,,, out of jealousy or stupidity,,, Im not sure! :eek:

Thank you so much for telling me this! I have a huge weight lifted off of my chest now that I know the truth.

Bluhhhhhhhhhh sounds like a bad energy friend, just laugh it off and ask her to study some books please, tell her that your ears are NO garbage cans! ;)