The Average Age Of A Dog In Aust Is Only 3.5yrs?

[Beaglelover:)]

Came across this scary fact on Petrescue written by Kersti Seksel, that the average age of a dog in Aust is only 3.5 yrs old?

Are there any studies to back this? I know that 250,000 dogs and cats get put down yearly in Australia, so this would add to the above statistic.

Kersti Seksel is a well known figure in the vet and dog behaviour industry and I can't see her saying this without research.

Are there any other studies conducted on the average age of dogs in Aust to say this is indeed true?

What are your thoughts on this?

If this is true, wow...how sad

Edited January 6, 2011 by Beaglelover:)

[poodlefan]

Last one I saw said it was around 5 years. I'd believe it.

I read that euthanasia was the most common reason for death with "behavioural issues" the most common reason for PTS. Its a pretty sad indictment of Australian dog ownership.

[Staff'n'Toller]

Yup it's true, not sure of the exact age in 2010 but that was from a few years back.

I'm sure Kersti or the staff at Sydney Animal Behaviour Service could direct you to the relevant data. Or you could try the Animal Welfare Bureau they may also have the information.

[~Anne~]

I think 3.5 might be a bit inaccurate. I don't see this age as being bad though, it simply means there are more young dogs than old dogs. Why are older dogs in smaller numbers?? Maybe they are dying through disease? Maybe the collection of the stats skewed things? Not sure. but I don't think I would be alarmed just yet... but then maybe I haven't thought the whole concept through poperly yet.

[Beaglelover:)]

Last one I saw said it was around 5 years. I'd believe it.

I read that euthanasia was the most common reason for death with "behavioural issues" the most common reason for PTS. Its a pretty sad indictment of Australian dog ownership.

I guess it is just the 'average age' so it would vary a little. God, that is very sad!

When you factor in Puppy Farms, homeless dogs and lack of knowledge it does make sense, but it is hard to believe it is only 3.5

I guess the plight of cats would be worse.

[mita]

Euthanasia of homeless dogs & cats is leading cause of death in companion animals in Australia. So says info on UQ's CCAH website. That would break down into what was the leading cause for a dog to be surrendered.

http://www.uq.edu.au/ccah/index.html?page=76187&pid=0

I can't find a reference anywhere, but I once read that the leading cause for young dogs to be surrendered was behaviour problems.

That is, in a particular owner's eye. It might well be, for many of these, that owners had unrealistic expectations of how a dog 'should' behave. And no expectations they as owners could or should do any management or training.

[Adza]

Perhaps many think you shouldn't have to work with dogs (training, exercise). They just come home with you and they are supposedly perfect.

Some cases you might strike luck but I suppose that could be rare.

For cats, I'm not so sure.

[SpotTheDog]

Double check on the semantics:

If the average age of a dog in Australia is 3.5 years, that just means we have lots of young dogs.

If the average lifespan of a dog in Australia is 3.5 years, that means we have a problem.

[mita]

Out of interest. UQ now gives 5th year vet students a series of lectures on this very real problem. From UQ's CCAH site:

New breed of vet

In a first for Australia, six lectures on Urban Animal Management were introduced into the fifth year of UQ’s veterinary science course, to increase our future veterinarians’ awareness and understanding of the unwanted companion animal problem, to highlight why they should care and what they can do to make a difference.

Emma Wells, a fifth-year veterinary student, has become very passionate about this issue and chose this area for her final-year essay.

“The lectures by Professor Rand highlighted the problem for students – and it is such a big problem. The fact that euthanasia is the leading cause of death in our companion animals is extremely upsetting,” Emma said.

“The program not only brought this to our attention, but by demonstrating the characteristics of the animals that are going into shelters, it has helped us, as future vets, to be aware of risk factors for relinquishment.”

“We can incorporate this knowledge into our veterinary careers by educating pet owners and our colleagues on these important issues, for example, desexing, behaviour problems and owner expectations, and hopefully end up with a better outcome for our pets and our communities".

The Centre for Companion Animal Health played a leadership role in the program being incorporated into the veterinary science course.

Edited January 6, 2011 by mita

[Beaglelover:)]

Euthanasia of homeless dogs & cats is leading cause of death in companion animals in Australia. So says info on UQ's CCAH website. That would break down into what was the leading cause for a dog to be surrendered.

http://www.uq.edu.au/ccah/index.html?page=76187&pid=0

I can't find a reference anywhere, but I once read that the leading cause for young dogs to be surrendered was behaviour problems.

That is, in a particular owner's eye. It might well be, for many of these, that owners had unrealistic expectations of how a dog 'should' behave. And no expectations they as owners could or should do any management or training.

This would be interesting to read, but their home page is the only page working...

[mita]

I had no problem with the CCAH site. In fact, just got the above material from there.

[Beaglelover:)]

Double check on the semantics:

If the average age of a dog in Australia is 3.5 years, that just means we have lots of young dogs.

If the average lifespan of a dog in Australia is 3.5 years, that means we have a problem.

This is the paragraph...

"The largest cause of death of puppies under one year of age is said to be euthanasia due to behavioural problems. Indeed, most dogs do not live to their full age potential with the average age of dogs in Australia estimated to be only 3.5 years. In fact, behaviour problems are now considered to be the number one reason for euthanasia in pets, regardless of age"

I might be reading this wrong, but I take this as the 'lifespan'?

[Beaglelover:)]

I had no problem with the CCAH site. In fact, just got the above material from there.

Hmmm must be just my computer. I will check again later.

Thanks for the link

[mita]

Also just out of interest. Behavioral issues loom behind dogs getting dumped in pounds & shelters & a staggering number PTS. So 'doing things' relating to 'better' behaviours in shelters & pounds, will help improve rehoming rates. UQ research, again:

The best shelter is a humane community

Caitlin Logan, a veterinarian with 10 years experience in private practice, began her PhD research at the Centre this year to discover which shelter practices are most effective at reducing euthanasia and increasing the re-homing rates of unwanted dogs and cats.

“Some shelters are euthanising 96% of cats, and others are much more successful in rehoming and only euthanise 40%,” Caitlin said. “Similarly, euthanasia rates in shelters for dogs can vary from more than 50% to less than 20%. What I want to discover, is which shelter practices really make a difference and can be readily implemented.”

After completing her research she will provide the results to shelters and pounds which, because of limited resources, are often unable to research new methods. “Making small changes such as providing a box for a cat to hide in, or insisting that dogs sit quietly when staff enter runs to feed or clean, seems to make a big difference to euthanasia rates,” Caitlin said.

The research project will involve as many shelters as possible, and so far she has collaborated with individuals from the RSPCA, Animal Welfare League, Monash University in Melbourne and SPCA in Canada.

Edited January 6, 2011 by mita

[SpotTheDog]

After completing her research she will provide the results to shelters and pounds which, because of limited resources, are often unable to research new methods. “Making small changes such as providing a box for a cat to hide in, or insisting that dogs sit quietly when staff enter runs to feed or clean, seems to make a big difference to euthanasia rates,” Caitlin said.

That's fascinating, and it makes so much sense. Personality often attracts you to an animal as well as its appearance. Boisterous dogs who are jumping six feet up the gate of their run are offputting. Frightened cats huddled in their litter tray at the back of a wire cage are offputting.

I worry sometimes about one of my cats, Eric - he's intelligent (for a given value of intelligent in cat terms) but was feral up to six months of age. He is an attractive looking cat, and he's an affectionate, mischevious, heatbutting boofa who'll climb into your lap at night and flip to have his tummy rubbed -assuming you're me or my other half. But put him in a shelter environment and scruffy him up a bit and you'd assume from his behaviour that he was a hopeless feral who stood no chance whatsoever of being tamed - he'd be up the walls of the cage in a blind panic and shrink away from any offered hand. There is a chance, however, with the sanctuary of a box to hide in, he might calm down somewhat.

[Beaglelover:)]

I have just spoken to Kersti Seksel and she can not supply the data findings to support her statistic.

Reason why I ask all these questions is because I am writing an article about the results from lack of training, preparing, education, socialisation etc, and I believe this stat needs to be known. It will at least get people talking, as it is so shocking.

Kersti said I am more then welcome to say the stat has come from her. Do you guys think this is enough to base my article on?

Sorry forgot to add, I confirmed with her that she is referring to the 'lifespan'.

Edited January 6, 2011 by Beaglelover:)

[Diva]

This is the paragraph...

"The largest cause of death of puppies under one year of age is said to be euthanasia due to behavioural problems. Indeed, most dogs do not live to their full age potential with the average age of dogs in Australia estimated to be only 3.5 years. In fact, behaviour problems are now considered to be the number one reason for euthanasia in pets, regardless of age"

I might be reading this wrong, but I take this as the 'lifespan'?

If it said average age at time of death I would take it to mean average lifespan.

But it doesn't say that, it just says average age. I don't think you can draw any conclusion about lifespan at all from the way that is written. You'd just have to rely on the assertion that most dogs don't live to their full age potential. Surely she has some raw data behind that.

Edited January 6, 2011 by Diva

[Beaglelover:)]

This is the paragraph...

"The largest cause of death of puppies under one year of age is said to be euthanasia due to behavioural problems. Indeed, most dogs do not live to their full age potential with the average age of dogs in Australia estimated to be only 3.5 years. In fact, behaviour problems are now considered to be the number one reason for euthanasia in pets, regardless of age"

I might be reading this wrong, but I take this as the 'lifespan'?

If it said average age at time of death I would take it to mean average lifespan.

But it doesn't say that, it just says average age. I don't think you can draw any conclusion about lifespan at all from the way that is written. You'd just have to rely on the assertion that most dogs don't live to their full age potential. Surely she has some raw data behind that.

Yes I thought it was strange that she couldnt back it up, but yet she does have a lot of experience and wouldnt just make that up. I have called the RSPCA to get the stats on the average age of dogs being pts, which will also suggest that dogs are dying far too young

I just added in my above post, that I confirmed with Kersti Seksel that she is indeed referring to the average lifespan of the Aust dog.

Edited January 6, 2011 by Beaglelover:)

[Loving my Oldies]

Frankly, what is to be gained by taking an average age.

Just picking at random three of my dogs:

Calypso died at 3.5 from congentital heart failure

Nammu died at 8 years from cancer

Mufti is still alive at 15.5 years.

Taking an average of their ages is a waste time and tells us nothing. Just realised: all are/were Maltese

[Diva]

I just added in my above post, that I confirmed with Kersti Seksel that she is indeed referring to the average lifespan of the Aust dog.

Very poor wording then, I'd expect more care from a supposedly reputable source. I can tell you the average age of dogs in this house. It means nothing in terms of their lifespan.

As for the RSPCA telling you the average age of dogs pts, at best they could only tell you for the surrenders. For the unchipped/reg'd strays, they can only guess.

Edited January 6, 2011 by Diva