Our investigation gave us the possibility to study the various characteristics that could influence the dogs’ life expectancy. These characteristics could be proper to the dog such as the race, its type, the size, the weight, but also other characteristics which would influence the dog’s age of death such as the food, its living conditions, the family environment, all characteristics which are not dependent from the dog but the owner. He will therefore have a prominent influence on these characteristics, which influences directly the quality of life of the dog and the well-being of the dog.
In 1998 we started with a statistical study, collecting data in order to support our analysis. This study continues. With it we have collected information and data for 522 dogs over a period of five consecutive years. The goal of our analysis was to examine the influence on the life expectancy factor of characteristics, directly related to the dog; such as sex, race and size; but also characteristics imposed by the owners, following their own choice or decision, is the animal sterilized or not, what is the housing an the family environment, what is its origin, what type of food is it fed, etc.
