Quick Links: Table of Contents
- How Long Brittanys Live. Brittany Life Expectancy
- Lifespan of the Brittany Compared to Other Dog Breeds
- Common Causes of Death in Brittany, and how to Prevent Them.
- How To Prevent Genetic Problems in Brittanys
- How Old is Your Brittany in Human Years
- How Long Do Brittanys Live in Human Years?
- More Ways to Make Your Brittany Live Long
- Conclusion on Brittany Life Expectancy
How Long Brittanys Live. Brittany Life Expectancy
Generally, the lifespan of the Brittany is from 10 to 13 years.
Moreover, a few years back, British Veterinarinan researchers performed a scientific study to determine the lifespan of the Brittany. In this study, the scientists collected data on how long 28 pet Brittanys lived.
From the study, it was found that Brittanys have a average lifespan of 12.8 years. Furthermore, the study found that Brittanys can live for as long as 16.0 years.
Furthermore, researchers from the University of Georgia conducted a study to find out what are the top causes of death in Brittanys.
According to the study, the top 5 causes of death in Brittanys are:
- Neoplastic Disease: Issues involving tumors
- Trauma: Issues involving injury
- Musculoskeletal Disease: Refers to any problems with bones or muscles
- Respiratory Disease: Problems with lungs and breathing
- Neurologic Disease: Refers to problems with the brain, nerves, and spinal cord.
In this article, we will explain each of these diseases and discuss how to prevent the early occurence of each in your Brittany to make your Brittany live a longer.
Also, in this article, we will discuss other things you can do to ensure that your Brittany have a longer than average lifespan.
Do you want to know how old your Brittany is in human years? Then, check out our Brittany age to human years calculator
Lifespan of the Brittany Compared to Other Dog Breeds
See in the table below how the lifespan of the Brittany compares to the lifespan of other dog breeds.
| Dog Breed | Average Lifespan (Years) |
|---|---|
| Irish Terrier Lifespan | 14.80 |
| Canaan Dog Lifespan | 14.60 |
| Tibetan Spaniel Lifespan | 14.40 |
| Norwich Terrier Lifespan | 13.30 |
| Hovawart Lifespan | 12.90 |
| Brittany Lifespan | 12.80 |
| Siberian Husky Lifespan | 12.50 |
| Maltese Lifespan | 12.20 |
| Lancashire Heeler Lifespan | 11.70 |
| Field Spaniel Lifespan | 11.60 |
| Pekingese Lifespan | 11.40 |
| German Spitz Lifespan | 11.30 |
| Weimaraner Lifespan | 11.10 |
| Norfolk Terrier Lifespan | 11.00 |
| Airedale Terrier Lifespan | 10.70 |
| Wirehaired Vizsla Lifespan | 9.83 |
| Estrela Mountain Dog Lifespan | 9.75 |
| Polish Lowland Sheepdog Lifespan | 9.58 |
| Scottish Deerhound Lifespan | 8.67 |
| Mastiff Lifespan | 6.83 |
Common Causes of Death in Brittany, and how to Prevent Them.
We will now discuss the common causes of death in Brittany, according to scientific research. Also we will provide you advice on how to prevent these problems in your Brittany.
Here are the causes of death, starting from the most common cause
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Neoplastic Disease in Brittanys
Neoplasms, or tumors, can be benign (like a lipoma), or malignant (cancer).
Neoplastic Disease is responsible for 26.5 percent of all deaths in Brittanys.
Causes of Neoplastic Disease in Brittany
Neoplasms in dogs, just like in people, are caused by either a genetic predisposition (like some breast cancers), an environmental factor (like smoking in humans), or a combination of both.
How to Prevent Neoplastic Disease in Brittanys
Just like in humans, there is little you can do to prevent cancers that are caused by genetic factors. You can, however, reduce the environmental risks that are associated with cancer. The `environmental` causes of neoplasia are chemical agents, infectious agents, and physical agents. An example of a chemical agent that could cause cancer in Brittanys (and humans) is asbestos. An example of an infectious agent that could cause cancer in Brittanys is the virus called canine adenovirus. An example of a physical agent that can cause cancer in Brittanys is UV radiation from the sun, just like in humans.
Another way to prevent neoplasms in Brittanys is to vaccinate them against harmful viruses, such as canine adenovirus (DHPP vaccine at 8 and 12 weeks and then once a year, every year). As in humans, early diagnosis is the key to supporting Brittanys with neoplasms, so talk to your veterinarian if you find any new lumps, bumps, or discoloration on your Brittany. You should also talk to your veterinarian if your Brittany`s gums look pale.
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Trauma in Brittanys
These includes cuts, bites, bruises, broken bones, wounds, scratches, and more.
Trauma is responsible for 15.5 percent of all deaths in Brittanys.
Causes of Trauma in Brittany
One of the most common causes of trauma in Brittanys is getting hit by cats. Another common cause is bites and scratches from fighting or play with other dogs.
How to Prevent Trauma in Brittanys
The best way to keep your Brittany from getting hit by a car is by having them on a fixed leash. Veterinarians do not recommend retractable leashes for dogs. This is because, oftentimes, dogs on retractable leashes will bolt into the road before their owners can lock the leash and get hit by cars, even though they were technically on a leash. Having a normal, fixed leash is also a good way to prevent your Brittany from bolting on walks and getting into fights with other dogs before you can lock the leash.
Here is a good fixed leash that can save your Brittany from traumatic accidents.
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Musculoskeletal Disease in Brittanys
Musculoskeletal diseases are the common problems associated with bones and muscles. These include arthritis, vertebral issues, loss of skeletal muscle mass, hip dysplasia, trauma and breakages, and more.
Musculoskeletal Disease is responsible for 12.8 percent of all deaths in Brittanys.
Causes of Musculoskeletal Disease in Brittany
The causes of many musculoskeletal issues have to do with age, breed, and weight. Older Brittanys are more prone to musculoskeletal issues, as are large breed dogs, and overweight dogs. Just like people, Brittanys can get arthritis and other joint-related issues as they get older. Large-breed dogs tend to be prone to a condition called hip dysplasia, which essentially means that their hip joints degrade and get very painful. Overweight dogs tend to put more pressure on their joints, which can cause unnecessary wear and tear as well as serious damage to tendons and ligaments.
How to Prevent Musculoskeletal Disease in Brittanys
One way that you can help improve your Brittany`s musculoskeletal health (especially if they are old is by giving your Brittany joint supplements like this one. You can also help prevent hip dysplasia and slipped discs by not allowing your Brittany to jump too much, even if they are a puppy. Consider buying young Brittanys a box or stool like this to help them get on the couch or bed, instead of letting them jump all the way from the ground. The most important way that you can keep your Brittany`s muscles and bones healthy is by not letting them get overweight. You should avoid letting your Brittany eat table scraps and make sure that they get plenty of exercise. If your Brittany is overweight and you know that you are strict with their diet and exercise, you should talk to your vet; they might have hypothyroidism, which is very common. If your Brittany is overweight and you think you should try managing their diet a little more closely, you can start your Brittany on a weight-management diet like this to help them get back to a healthier body condition.
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Respiratory Disease in Brittanys
Respiratory diseases includes asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, and other conditions. May also be related to left-sided heart failure and other cardiovascular issues.
Respiratory Disease is responsible for 11.6 percent of all deaths in Brittanys.
Causes of Respiratory Disease in Brittany
Some lung conditions can be caused by bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Other lung conditions, such as asthma, can be related to allergies and genetic conditions. Some breeds (called brachycephalic breeds) are more susceptible to breathing problems. These breeds appear to have their noses and snouts kind of squished into their faces. Although they are very cute, these breeds can have serious breathing problems throughout their lives which may require surgery. Additionally, dogs and cats can often get colds and other upper respiratory infections because of stress. Common causes of stress in dogs include separation anxiety, thunderstorms and other loud noises, the introduction of other animals into the home, and more.
How to Prevent Respiratory Disease in Brittanys
Respiratory diseases can be prevented by supporting the immune health of your Brittany, by making sure you feed your Brittany a good, nutritious dog food brand, give them plenty of exercises, and help them live in a stress-free environment. There are several options for supplements and therapies that can help reduce stress in your Brittany. Some Brittany do really well with thundershirts, which are snug shirts that swaddle the dogs and help them calm down during thunderstorms and other stressful events. Furthermore, Brittanys that are anxious with loud sounds might also benefit from calming supplements, such as Anxiety TFLN. For general anxiety, the supplement Composure or Composure Pro might help calm your Brittany`s nervousness. Some Brittanys do really well with supplements, but just like with people, supplements do not work for everyone. If you are not seeing results after a few weeks of putting your Brittany on a supplement to calm anxiety, you should talk to your veterinarian about behavioral therapy and stronger medications.
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Neurologic Disease in Brittanys
These problems include canine cognitive disfunction, dementia, stroke, Lyme disease, and more.
Neurologic Disease is responsible for 10.5 percent of all deaths in Brittanys.
Causes of Neurologic Disease in Brittany
Neurological issues can be caused by vascular disease, inflammatory disease, infectious disease, metabolic disease, cancer, and developmental disorders.
How to Prevent Neurologic Disease in Brittanys
Some neurological problems can be caused by infectious agents, like Lyme disease. You should always get your dog vaccinated with the course recommended by your veterinarian.
How To Prevent Genetic Problems in Brittanys
Every dog breed has a set of genetic problems to which it is predisposed, and the Brittany is not an exception.
These disease will reduce your Brittany`s qualilty of life. Also, these diseases can shorten your Brittany`s lifespan.
The good news is that these diseases can be prevented in Brittany offsprings by only breeding Brittany that have been screened and cleared of genetic defects.
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is one the organizations that keep records of which disease to which a dog breed is genetically prone.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Brittany puppy that will grow up to be healthy and live long, make sure that your Brittany breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
If you do not know if your Brittany has been screened for genetic health problems, then your can use an at-home genetic screening kit like this one to check your Brittany for genetic health problems at home. This might help you in deciding whether to get your Brittany a pet health insurance.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Brittanys for:
How Old is Your Brittany in Human Years
The table below shows your human years equivalent age of your Brittany. This table is based on a dog-to-human age study conducted by researchers from Purdue University.
Learn more about how old your Brittany is in human years here.
In 1997, researchers from Purdue University developed a method for converting a dog`s age to its human age. Their method was based on the 1953 work of the French Veterinarian, A. Lebeau that we discussed above.
Researchers from Purdue University took Lebeau`s work further by taking into account two important factors to develop a more accurate method for converting a dog`s age into its human equivalent age:
- The size of the dog: Smaller dog breeds live longer than larger breed dogs
- The lifespan of the dog: Dog breeds that live longer lives will age slower than dog breeds that live shorter lives
The average lifespan of the Brittany is 12.8 years.
Brittanys are medium-sized dogs. Brittanys weigh 30 to 40 pounds.
The method developed by the Purdue University veterinarian researchers took into account the lifespan and size of Brittany in converting Brittany age to human age.
The researchers used data on the lifespan and weight of 5,608 mixed breed dogs and 17,927 purebred dogs to develop their method for converting the ages of dogs (of different breed sizes and lifespans ) to their equivalent human ages.
The calculator below lets you convert your Brittany`s age to its human age based on the Purdue University method. Just enter your Brittany`s age in the calculator and it will compute your Brittany`s human age. If you do not know your Brittany`s exact age, enter an approximate age in the calculator.
Also, the table below shows how old your Brittany is in human years based on the method developed by the researchers.
Note that your Brittany`s human age changes day by day. Therefore, always check back to use the calculator to find your Brittany`s up-to-date human age.
Brittany Age to Human Age Calculator (Purdue Uni. Method)
Below is a Brittany age to human age calculator that is based on the methods developed by researchers from Purdue University.
The calculator will tell your Brittany`s human age based on your Brittany`s dog birthday. Also, the calculator will tell you which day is your Brittany`s human birthday! Try it out!
| Brittany Age (Years) | Human Age (Years) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 14 |
| 2 | 21 |
| 3 | 26 |
| 4 | 32 |
| 5 | 37 |
| 6 | 42 |
| 7 | 46 |
| 8 | 50 |
| 9 | 54 |
| 10 | 58 |
| 11 | 62 |
| 12 | 66 |
| 13 | 71 |
| 14 | 75 |
| 15 | 80 |
| 16 | 85 |
How Long Do Brittanys Live in Human Years?
The average lifespan of the Brittany is 12.8 years. In human years, the Brittany lives for 70 years.
How Old is 1-year-old Brittany in Human Years?
A 1-year old Brittany is 14 years old in human years.
How Old is 5-year-old Brittany in Human Years?
A 5-year old Brittany is 37 years old in human years.
How Old is 8-year-old Brittany in Human Years?
A 8-year old Brittany is 50 years old in human years.
How Old is 9-year-old Brittany in Human Years?
A 9-year old Brittany is 54 years old in human years.
More Ways to Make Your Brittany Live Long
Here are more things your can do to make sure your Brittany live a long life:
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Regular Exercise: Research studies have shown that one of the very effective ways to make a dog live long is to ensure that a dog is in good shape. Adequate exercise will make your Brittany fit and make it live longer.
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Good Diet: A poorly-fed, underweight Brittany does not have a good chance of living a long life. Similarly, an overweight Brittany will have a shorter lifespan than a Brittany that is of normal weight. Therefore, it is important that your feed your Brittany high-quality dog food without overfeeding your Brittany. Check out our Brittany feeding guide here. Learn how you can prevent your Brittany from being overweight here.
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Proper Hydration: Water is essential for your Brittany existence. Therefore, you should make sure your Brittany has access to clean water whenever your Brittany needs water. However, too much water is bad for your Brittany. See our Brittany water drinking guide to learn more on how to properly hydrate your Brittany.
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Spaying/Neutering: Sterilizing your Brittany might prolong its life. Check out this guideline to know when it is the best time to spay/neuter your Brittany.
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Routine Vet Care: Regular preventative visits to the vet can help catch diseases early.
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Vaccinations: Always make sure your Brittany is up to date on its vaccination.
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Dental Hygiene: Your Brittany’s teeth can get infected, and if the infection goes unnoticed, that infection can spread to other parts of the body and become systemic. This could lead to a shortened lifespan. You must have your Brittany teeth cleaned professionally at your vet’s office a couple of times in its lifetime. Talk with your vet about the best ages to have these cleanings done.
Conclusion on Brittany Life Expectancy
We hope the information we have provided will help your in increasing your Brittany`s life expectancy.
Tate Ackerman contributed to this article. Tate is a second-year veterinary student at Kansas State University. Tate is also a concurrent Ph.D. student. She has a lot of experience reading scientific literature and communicating that information to a non-veterinary audience. Tate was a veterinary technician for a companion animal practice before she applied to veterinary school.