Senior dog care basics
Everyday care for an older dog: when senior starts, how far to walk, which vaccines and vet checks matter, and what to feed. Every answer cites veterinary guidelines or published studies.
- How Long Do Dogs Live? Life Expectancy by Breed and Size
Dogs in the UK live a median of 12.5 years (McMillan et al., 2024; 584,734 dogs). Small breeds reach 12.7, large breeds 11.9, and breed matters more than size: Border Terriers 14.2, Mastiffs 9.0. A US clinic dataset of 13.3 million dogs puts life expectancy at birth at 12.69 years.
- When Is a Dog Considered a Senior? Age Chart by Size
A dog is a senior in the last 25% of its estimated lifespan (AAHA, 2019), so no single age applies. Clinics quote about 7 to 8 years, and 6 to 7 for giant breeds. If your dog is within a year or two of its range, book a senior exam. Otherwise keep annual visits.