Fluffy babies, thanks to charming miniature faces and beautiful fur coats, instantly become favorite family members. However, realizing that the canine age is much shorter than the human one, future owners even before acquiring a four-legged friend want to find out how much Spitz live and how to extend the life cycle as much as possible.

Features of the breed Spitz

Before you get a cute puppy from Pomerania, you should study the features of the breed Spitz:

  • Growth - Pomeranian spitz dogs are characterized by a small height, which does not exceed 30 cm.
  • Weight - depending on height, weight can vary from 1 to 3 kg.
  • Character - representatives of the breed are distinguished by liveliness and good intelligence. Since the kids are masterful, you should not start them in parallel with small children, which, in turn, can injure a fragile animal. Spitz have a clear voice and often do not mind raising a bark. At an early age, get along well with other pets. Easily adapt to the conditions of a city apartment, where they live with their beloved owner.
  • Care - the breed is demanding care and needs daily combing, regular cleaning of eyes and ears prone to infection, as well as regular bathing with claw trimming.

Spitz life expectancy and what affects it

The average duration of a decorative breed, which is often called dwarf, is 12-15 years.

The main factor that shortens or prolongs the animal's age is the person on whom such important components depend as:

  • proper care;
  • balanced diet;
  • active games;
  • plenty of attention and affectionate attitude.

If the Spitz has created optimal conditions for keeping at home, taking into account the characteristics of the breed, as well as the owner loves and does not part with cute babies, then there have been cases when four-legged pets crossed the twenty-year age threshold.

What shortens a dog’s life

There are a number of common factors that can negatively affect the dog’s body, reducing life expectancy:

  1. Specific features - Spitz are considered to be a fairly stable and healthy breed, among the main problems in which early tooth loss and, as a result, digestive problems, as well as inflammation of the paraanal glands, stand out.
  2. Poor care and violation of the rules of nutrition - if the dog walks a little, is inactive, is not treated for parasites and is not vaccinated in a timely manner, this will accordingly affect the health of the pet. Also, a uniform and unbalanced diet, leading to obesity or lack of vitamins and minerals necessary for the full growth and functioning of the body, shortens the life age.

How many dwarf spitz live

Currently, super-dwarfs are popular whose height does not exceed 18 cm.

However, acquiring a dwarf spitz, the future owner should know that:

  • the thin spine is prone to fractures and other injuries leading to death;
  • miniature parameters negatively affect the development of the body and can cause pathological various diseases, including psychological disorders.
  • dogs with a height of less than 18 cm with excellent care do not live longer than 8 years, being a commercial product, the purpose of which is to earn high profits by merchants (conscientious breeders intentionally do not breed super-dwarf Spitz).

How to extend the life of your pet

Despite the fact that a twenty-year-old Spitz is a rarity, every loving owner seeks to extend the life of his furry pet. Each dog is individual and has a number of its own characteristics. However, there is a set of general rules, compliance with which will positively affect the health of the furry baby and will contribute to its longevity.

Key recommendations:

  1. Upon reaching the age of seven, a four-legged friend should be taken twice a year for examination by a veterinarian, who, if an ailment, disorder is detected, will immediately prescribe a course of treatment or an appropriate diet.
  2. It is necessary to select a diet in accordance with the age of the dog, additionally introducing mineral complexes and vitamins to strengthen bones and joints.
  3. At the age of seven, most of the fats are excluded from the diet of dogs, while meat products are replaced by fish ingredients.
  4. At any age, it is necessary to play and walk with the dog in the usual rhythm, without focusing on the age of the Spitz.

So, German Spitz are excellent companions who will not let their master get bored, but require attention and constant care from him.

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