Requesting Help To Find A Figure

[Henrietta]

Hi,

I remember this being mentioned a number of times on DOL before. I think it was a percentage of dogs that do not live past three in this country. It may have been a number rather than a percentage, but either way it was a sobering figure.

Would anyone have this figure? And possibly a linky to the source? It would be greatly appreciated.

Edited April 29, 2010 by Emm

[Henrietta]

Bump

[Whippetsmum]

My Vet told me about 2 years ago that average lifespan of a dog in Australia is only around 18 months............. I was horrified.

[Crisovar]

My Vet told me about 2 years ago that average lifespan of a dog in Australia is only around 18 months............. I was horrified.

Where did he pull that figure from?

[Earthdog]

Could probably suggest a place. And it's not the Cornflake packet!

[Henrietta]

Well, thanks for bumping this again for me.

Perhaps I imagined it... it wouldn't be the first time.

[MolassesLass]

I found this that sounds kind of like what you're after.

Dr. Kersti Seksel, a well known vet, animal behaviourist and speaker in Australia, reports in her Puppy Socialisation and Training guide that the largest cause of death of puppies under 12 months is euthanasia due to behavioural problems. The average age for a dog is 31/2 years way below their biological potential. Surveys indicated that a dog was most likely to be surrendered to an animal shelter because: 1) dogs had not attended obedience training, 2) been sexually intact, 3) eliminating regularly inside and 4) not received any veterinary attention. Another survey indicated that 25.6% of owners surrendered their dog because of behavioural problems ... these were boisterousness (10%), aggression towards people (7.7%) and aggression towards other dogs (9%). The largest percentage being boisterousness ... every puppy is boisterous! A puppy is a puppy for at least 2-21/2 years and a dog should live for about 10-12 years on average and that's a l-o-n-g time to put up with something that doesn't suit your lifestyle! Please don't let yourself or your puppy become a statistic.

[Henrietta]

Thanks ML, I think it may very well be what I was looking for. I obviously remembered it a bit differently though. I'll google her and see if I can come up with the survey she speaks of.

[Esky the husky]

I remember reading somewhere on here that the average life span of a dog in AUS was only 5 years..

Of course I can't remember where I read that.. Jees I'm useful

[rubiton]

NOt surprising given the impulse buys from pet shops that never get trained and then get dumped on shelters and are found to have screwed up temperaments. Or the ones that never get trained get treated like breathing soft toys eventually get sick of it and nip then instantly taken to the vet to be put down because they 'turned'.

[Earthdog]

This is interesting. I wonder how Serksel came to that figure? How accurate would it be?

[sandgrubber]

Good question. My guess is he/she 'guesstimated' based on a smattering of evidence. Quality demographic data on dogs is extremely rare. The Pedigree Register only cares about births, they don't give a damn about deaths. As for non-pedigree dogs . . . the many who meet early death often do so without seeing a vet.

This is interesting. I wonder how Serksel came to that figure? How accurate would it be?

[prplhydra]

I'm sure a veterinarian in her position wouldn't mind receiving an email query and direct you to appropriate sources

Dr. Kersti Seksel, a well known vet, animal behaviourist and speaker in Australia, reports in her Puppy Socialisation and Training guide that the largest cause of death of puppies under 12 months is euthanasia due to behavioural problems. The average age for a dog is 31/2 years

[Crisovar]

There is no way it can be accurate, dogs meet their end without Veterinary help through accident ,old age or even the bullet in rural areas, all unrecorded. Just as many live their lives out till old age without being a statistic anywhere.

I haven't worked at a Vet Clinic that has ever been contacted for figures on Euths.

Pounds etc would have records, but the private sector ???