Life Expectance

can we all stop being morbid now and get back to singing our pets praseies

It was something we were aware of when we decided to get Saints, but it didn't put us off. As Debbie says , you make the best of the time you have with them, with Giant breeds especially health is of the utmost importance particularly with their weight , thus causing joint and other related issues.
We know by breed standard Indi is now middle aged, but he is a fit and active dog. i dred teh day we have to say goodbye:((

i did think about that when we had beth who was already 4/half years old but decided to take her anyway,i think shelties have a good life expectancy but if they live 8 or 15 years its never long enough is it.

i've never really thought about it either lol, just fall in love and have to have lol my old collie and my am bulldog x where both rescue so unsure of exact age anyway! so 2 me its not an issue so i just enjoy everyday

Very interesting post.
Ive always wanted a giant breed too but didnt look into life expectancy either.
Aslans dad died early this year aged 9,i only hope and pray he goes on for longer.

All my life I have wanted a giant dog, but I believed they all had a short lifespan and yes, this did put me off. When I was looking for another puppy after I lost my retriever (who, incidentally, was nearly 14 despite being big for the breed) I went on the internet and learned that the life expectancy of a Newfoundland is 12 to 14. Someone from the Newfoundland club told me they had one that was 15. That same website declared St Bernards lifespan 5 - 7 years, Debbie, so I am hopefully they are wrong about yours and mine. The time goes goes so quickly, and Ferdie is 2 now. Where did that go? Couldn't bear to have a dog that was only going to live to be about 6.

it would not put me off getting any pet i have had hamsters last year both my hamsters died ( called Oliver and dodger )they lived for 2
and a half years and i loved them very much just as much as i love nugget and thunder its
unconditional no long how long they live
sure nobody wants to think of their pets passing away but it comes
to everyone and every thing in the end it a part of life even tho ppl don't like to think about it

That's a very interesting post that you've put up Alex and speaking personally,I have never considered a breed's average life expectancy when selecting my breed.....because I would like to think,that if provided for and looked after from day one..there is no reason why any breed (dog or cat) can't go on to make old bone's ( as I call it ).
My Rotties have lived past 10yrs and one just gone 11yrs..they are supposedly expected to live until around 9-10...but exceeded that and my Staffies have made around 14yrs..plus I know many people who have had big dogs such as Great Danes,who have lived up to 13yrs and not the average 9.
If an animal is well looked after and cared for..unless illness or accident predicts otherwise..I believe that any breed can go on for a long while regardless of what it is and so no...I wouldn't opt for a supposedly longer living breed just because my preferred one isn't as long because quite simply...one can never know or tell,what will happen eitherway!.

Saint Bernards have life expectancy of 8-10 years. we did'nt even think about that when we bought Heidi, I suppose because we love the breed so much and wouldnt settle for anything else.
You just make the best of the time you have them.