Whats the age that you would call a dog old and the age you would call a dog really old?

Question

my dog is a sheltie (like a collie but smaller)

Answer 1

It depends entirely on the breed. The giant breeds (great danes, newfoundlands, St Bernard's etc) can live up to 10 years old, with 8 or 9 being the average. Labradors, border collies etc. can live to about 15, 12 or 13 being the average (my lab is 14). Smaller breeds can live to 15, 16, I've known a Jack Russel live to 18 but that was extreme and he was put down due to kidney failure.

Answer 2

For toy and small breeds, they can live up to 20 yrs.  Medium breeds, you're looking at about 10 -15.  Large and extra large breeds generally have an 8 - 10 year lifespan.

Answer 3

When I went to a dog rescue centre they classed old as 10. I think it depends on the breed, but when a dog gets to 14 i'd say they're really old.

Answer 4

Depends on the breed.

A Jack Russell often lives to 17

Answer 5

I would say 10 years old is old and 12 is really old

Answer 6

It really depends on the breed, as life expectancies differ greatly.  

Answer 7

This is based on the breed of the dog.

To me a dog is old when it's close to the age for the breed lifespan.

And a really old dog is one that has lived beyond it's average livespan.

Example:

Danes have a lifespan of 8 years.

One is considered a veteran at 6 years old -even at shows.

If it lives beyond 9-10 years I think it's really old.  

Answer 8

7 years old is considered to be senior, but I think that it just depends on the dog itself, my dog was 9 when he died, he was killed by a truck, and I still considered him to be a puppy, he bounced around like one, and did not seem to be slowing down, if it wasn't for that A**H*** speeding down the driveway he would have lived for at least 10 more years!!

Answer 9

well 7-9 for a great dane is old for that breed.

while 12-13 is old for say a lhasa apso.

that being said 15-17 is really old for any dog.

Answer 10

8 would be old and really old would be 13,to me.