HEALTH & LIFE EXPECTANCY

Generally, life expectancy is longer in smaller breeds The larger and heavier the dog, the earlier the ageing process starts. Thus the larger the breed, the shorter the life expectancy. However, other factors are also important here. Some breeds have a lower life expectancy due to higher percentage of cancer, or hereditary diseases. Currently there are no published reports on life expectancy/longevity for each canine breed that are based on factual data; only estimates of life expectancy are available for each breed. 

Remember also that life expectancy of an individual is influenced by a combination of genetic, environmental and nutritional factors. Please be sure to research your breed's health status, and buy your dog from a reputable breeder who does health testing.

GROOMING

Shedding and grooming are very much connected, whereby, the more a dog sheds, the more it will require brushing to keep its coat healthy and keep your house clean. Some dogs however, may not shed much, but require regular professional grooming. "Grooming" refers to the amount of effort you are likely to spend on taking care of your dog's coat. A "High Maintenance" dog typically needs to be groomed 5-7 times per week, along with needing some periodic trimming. Most dogs require "Moderate Maintenance" - on average, 2-3 recommended grooming sessions per week plus some trimming. Dogs which require very little, grooming are classified as "Low Maintenance."

Range:

• Minimal Maintenance
• Low Maintenance
• Moderate Mainenance
• High Maintenance
• Extreme Maintenance