Quick Links: Table of Contents
- How Long Great Pyreneess Live. Great Pyrenees Life Expectancy
- Lifespan of the Great Pyrenees Compared to Other Dog Breeds
- Common Causes of Death in Great Pyrenees, and how to Prevent Them.
- How To Prevent Genetic Problems in Great Pyreneess
- How Old is Your Great Pyrenees in Human Years
- How Long Do Great Pyreneess Live in Human Years?
- More Ways to Make Your Great Pyrenees Live Long
- Conclusion on Great Pyrenees Life Expectancy
How Long Great Pyreneess Live. Great Pyrenees Life Expectancy
Generally, the lifespan of the Great Pyrenees is from 10 to 12 years.
Moreover, a few years back, British Veterinarinan researchers performed a scientific study to determine the lifespan of the Great Pyrenees. In this study, the scientists collected data on how long 66 pet Great Pyreneess lived.
From the study, it was found that Great Pyreneess have a average lifespan of 9.58 years. Furthermore, the study found that Great Pyreneess can live for as long as 16 years.
Furthermore, researchers from the University of Georgia conducted a study to find out what are the top causes of death in Great Pyreneess.
According to the study, the top 5 causes of death in Great Pyreneess are:
- Neoplastic Disease: Issues involving tumors
- Musculoskeletal Disease: Refers to any problems with bones or muscles
- Gastrointestinal Disease: Any problems that affect the mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, colon, or rectum.
- Trauma: Issues involving injury
- 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 Great Pyrenees to make your Great Pyrenees live a longer.
Also, in this article, we will discuss other things you can do to ensure that your Great Pyrenees have a longer than average lifespan.
Do you want to know how old your Great Pyrenees is in human years? Then, check out our Great Pyrenees age to human years calculator
Lifespan of the Great Pyrenees Compared to Other Dog Breeds
See in the table below how the lifespan of the Great Pyrenees compares to the lifespan of other dog breeds.
| Dog Breed | Average Lifespan (Years) |
|---|---|
| Hovawart Lifespan | 12.90 |
| Manchester Terrier Lifespan | 12.80 |
| Brittany Lifespan | 12.80 |
| Belgian Sheepdog Lifespan | 12.50 |
| Keeshond Lifespan | 12.20 |
| Pembroke Welsh Corgi Lifespan | 12.20 |
| Cardigan Welsh Corgi Lifespan | 12.10 |
| Saluki Lifespan | 12.00 |
| Australian Terrier Lifespan | 12.00 |
| Portuguese Water Dog Lifespan | 11.40 |
| Chesapeake Bay Retriever Lifespan | 10.70 |
| Havanese Lifespan | 10.20 |
| Lowchen Lifespan | 10.00 |
| Great Pyrenees Lifespan | 9.58 |
| Australian Shepherd Lifespan | 9.00 |
| Bullmastiff Lifespan | 7.46 |
| Bloodhound Lifespan | 6.79 |
| Sloughi Lifespan | 5.00 |
| Kooikerhondje Lifespan | 3.92 |
| Dogue de Bordeaux Lifespan | 3.83 |
Common Causes of Death in Great Pyrenees, and how to Prevent Them.
We will now discuss the common causes of death in Great Pyrenees, according to scientific research. Also we will provide you advice on how to prevent these problems in your Great Pyrenees.
Here are the causes of death, starting from the most common cause
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Neoplastic Disease in Great Pyreneess
Neoplasms, or tumors, can be benign (like a lipoma), or malignant (cancer).
Neoplastic Disease is responsible for 36.2 percent of all deaths in Great Pyreneess.
Causes of Neoplastic Disease in Great Pyrenees
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 Great Pyreneess
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 Great Pyreneess (and humans) is asbestos. An example of an infectious agent that could cause cancer in Great Pyreneess is the virus called canine adenovirus. An example of a physical agent that can cause cancer in Great Pyreneess is UV radiation from the sun, just like in humans.
Another way to prevent neoplasms in Great Pyreneess 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 Great Pyreneess with neoplasms, so talk to your veterinarian if you find any new lumps, bumps, or discoloration on your Great Pyrenees. You should also talk to your veterinarian if your Great Pyrenees`s gums look pale.
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Musculoskeletal Disease in Great Pyreneess
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 25.5 percent of all deaths in Great Pyreneess.
Causes of Musculoskeletal Disease in Great Pyrenees
The causes of many musculoskeletal issues have to do with age, breed, and weight. Older Great Pyreneess are more prone to musculoskeletal issues, as are large breed dogs, and overweight dogs. Just like people, Great Pyreneess 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 Great Pyreneess
One way that you can help improve your Great Pyrenees`s musculoskeletal health (especially if they are old is by giving your Great Pyrenees joint supplements like this one. You can also help prevent hip dysplasia and slipped discs by not allowing your Great Pyrenees to jump too much, even if they are a puppy. Consider buying young Great Pyreneess 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 Great Pyrenees`s muscles and bones healthy is by not letting them get overweight. You should avoid letting your Great Pyrenees eat table scraps and make sure that they get plenty of exercise. If your Great Pyrenees 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 Great Pyrenees is overweight and you think you should try managing their diet a little more closely, you can start your Great Pyrenees on a weight-management diet like this to help them get back to a healthier body condition.
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Gastrointestinal Disease in Great Pyreneess
Gastrointestinal diseases includes vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, stomach upset, blockages, toothache, constipation, and more.
Gastrointestinal Disease is responsible for 13.3 percent of all deaths in Great Pyreneess.
Causes of Gastrointestinal Disease in Great Pyrenees
GI problems can be caused by a lot of different things. Often, GI problems like vomiting and diarrhea are caused by things that were eaten. It is best not to let your Great Pyrenees eat human food or anything it finds outside, including garbage, plants and berries, fecal matter from other animals, and more. Vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach upset can also be caused by bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections. Another important sign of GI problems is when your Great Pyrenees stops eating or eats less than usual. This can be caused by many things; sometimes it could be that your Great Pyrenees is feeling nauseous, sometimes it could be that your Great Pyrenees has mouth pain, and more. In these cases, it is best to see a veterinarian to get to the root of the problem.
How to Prevent Gastrointestinal Disease in Great Pyreneess
An easy way to protect your dog from gastrointestinal problems is to make sure they are on heartworm, flea, and tick medicine all year long (no matter where you live). Many heartworm medications can also de-worm your dog every time you give a dose. This can prevent nasty parasites from settling into your dog`s intestines and causing pain, anemia, and other serious issues. Another way you can keep your dog feeling good is by taking good care of their teeth! This is especially an issue in small dogs. The best way to care for dog teeth is by cleaning them a few times a week. Here is a great brush for cleaning your Great Pyrenees`s teeth. However, if your dog will not allow you to do that, dental treats like these are a good second option.
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Trauma in Great Pyreneess
These includes cuts, bites, bruises, broken bones, wounds, scratches, and more.
Trauma is responsible for 12.8 percent of all deaths in Great Pyreneess.
Causes of Trauma in Great Pyrenees
One of the most common causes of trauma in Great Pyreneess is getting hit by cats. Another common cause is bites and scratches from fighting or play with other dogs.
How to Prevent Trauma in Great Pyreneess
The best way to keep your Great Pyrenees 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 Great Pyrenees 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 Great Pyrenees from traumatic accidents.
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Neurologic Disease in Great Pyreneess
These problems include canine cognitive disfunction, dementia, stroke, Lyme disease, and more.
Neurologic Disease is responsible for 10.1 percent of all deaths in Great Pyreneess.
Causes of Neurologic Disease in Great Pyrenees
Neurological issues can be caused by vascular disease, inflammatory disease, infectious disease, metabolic disease, cancer, and developmental disorders.
How to Prevent Neurologic Disease in Great Pyreneess
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 Great Pyreneess
Every dog breed has a set of genetic problems to which it is predisposed, and the Great Pyrenees is not an exception.
These disease will reduce your Great Pyrenees`s qualilty of life. Also, these diseases can shorten your Great Pyrenees`s lifespan.
The good news is that these diseases can be prevented in Great Pyrenees offsprings by only breeding Great Pyrenees 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 Great Pyrenees puppy that will grow up to be healthy and live long, make sure that your Great Pyrenees 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 Great Pyrenees has been screened for genetic health problems, then your can use an at-home genetic screening kit like this one to check your Great Pyrenees for genetic health problems at home. This might help you in deciding whether to get your Great Pyrenees a pet health insurance.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Great Pyreneess for:
How Old is Your Great Pyrenees in Human Years
The table below shows your human years equivalent age of your Great Pyrenees. This table is based on a dog-to-human age study conducted by researchers from Purdue University.
Learn more about how old your Great Pyrenees 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 Great Pyrenees is 9.58 years.
Great Pyreneess are giant-sized dogs. Great Pyreneess weigh 85 to 160 pounds.
The method developed by the Purdue University veterinarian researchers took into account the lifespan and size of Great Pyrenees in converting Great Pyrenees 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 Great Pyrenees`s age to its human age based on the Purdue University method. Just enter your Great Pyrenees`s age in the calculator and it will compute your Great Pyrenees`s human age. If you do not know your Great Pyrenees`s exact age, enter an approximate age in the calculator.
Also, the table below shows how old your Great Pyrenees is in human years based on the method developed by the researchers.
Note that your Great Pyrenees`s human age changes day by day. Therefore, always check back to use the calculator to find your Great Pyrenees`s up-to-date human age.
Great Pyrenees Age to Human Age Calculator (Purdue Uni. Method)
Below is a Great Pyrenees age to human age calculator that is based on the methods developed by researchers from Purdue University.
The calculator will tell your Great Pyrenees`s human age based on your Great Pyrenees`s dog birthday. Also, the calculator will tell you which day is your Great Pyrenees`s human birthday! Try it out!
| Great Pyrenees Age (Years) | Human Age (Years) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 20 |
| 2 | 26 |
| 3 | 31 |
| 4 | 37 |
| 5 | 42 |
| 6 | 47 |
| 7 | 51 |
| 8 | 56 |
| 9 | 61 |
| 10 | 66 |
| 11 | 71 |
| 12 | 77 |
| 13 | 83 |
| 14 | 89 |
| 15 | 96 |
| 16 | 103 |
How Long Do Great Pyreneess Live in Human Years?
The average lifespan of the Great Pyrenees is 9.58 years. In human years, the Great Pyrenees lives for 64 years.
How Old is 3-year-old Great Pyrenees in Human Years?
A 3-year old Great Pyrenees is 31 years old in human years.
How Old is 4-year-old Great Pyrenees in Human Years?
A 4-year old Great Pyrenees is 37 years old in human years.
How Old is 5-year-old Great Pyrenees in Human Years?
A 5-year old Great Pyrenees is 42 years old in human years.
How Old is 6-year-old Great Pyrenees in Human Years?
A 6-year old Great Pyrenees is 47 years old in human years.
More Ways to Make Your Great Pyrenees Live Long
Here are more things your can do to make sure your Great Pyrenees 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 Great Pyrenees fit and make it live longer.
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Good Diet: A poorly-fed, underweight Great Pyrenees does not have a good chance of living a long life. Similarly, an overweight Great Pyrenees will have a shorter lifespan than a Great Pyrenees that is of normal weight. Therefore, it is important that your feed your Great Pyrenees high-quality dog food without overfeeding your Great Pyrenees. Check out our Great Pyrenees feeding guide here. Learn how you can prevent your Great Pyrenees from being overweight here.
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Proper Hydration: Water is essential for your Great Pyrenees existence. Therefore, you should make sure your Great Pyrenees has access to clean water whenever your Great Pyrenees needs water. However, too much water is bad for your Great Pyrenees. See our Great Pyrenees water drinking guide to learn more on how to properly hydrate your Great Pyrenees.
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Spaying/Neutering: Sterilizing your Great Pyrenees might prolong its life. Check out this guideline to know when it is the best time to spay/neuter your Great Pyrenees.
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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 Great Pyrenees is up to date on its vaccination.
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Dental Hygiene: Your Great Pyrenees’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 Great Pyrenees 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 Great Pyrenees Life Expectancy
We hope the information we have provided will help your in increasing your Great Pyrenees`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.