Quick Links: Table of Contents
- How Long Miniature Pinschers Live. Miniature Pinscher Life Expectancy
- Lifespan of the Miniature Pinscher Compared to Other Dog Breeds
- Common Causes of Death in Miniature Pinscher, and how to Prevent Them.
- How To Prevent Genetic Problems in Miniature Pinschers
- How Old is Your Miniature Pinscher in Human Years
- How Long Do Miniature Pinschers Live in Human Years?
- More Ways to Make Your Miniature Pinscher Live Long
- Conclusion on Miniature Pinscher Life Expectancy
How Long Miniature Pinschers Live. Miniature Pinscher Life Expectancy
Generally, the lifespan of the Miniature Pinscher is from 10 to 14 years.
Moreover, a few years back, British Veterinarinan researchers performed a scientific study to determine the lifespan of the Miniature Pinscher. In this study, the scientists collected data on how long 27 pet Miniature Pinschers lived.
From the study, it was found that Miniature Pinschers have a average lifespan of 13 years. Furthermore, the study found that Miniature Pinschers can live for as long as 17.9 years.
Furthermore, researchers from the University of Georgia conducted a study to find out what are the top causes of death in Miniature Pinschers.
According to the study, the top 5 causes of death in Miniature Pinschers are:
- Neurologic Disease: Refers to problems with the brain, nerves, and spinal cord.
- Trauma: Issues involving injury
- Gastrointestinal Disease: Any problems that affect the mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, colon, or rectum.
- Cardiovascular Disease: Encompasses heart problems, blood pressure issues, and bleeding/clotting problems. CV issues may also be related to lung and/or breathing problems.
- Musculoskeletal Disease: Refers to any problems with bones or muscles
In this article, we will explain each of these diseases and discuss how to prevent the early occurence of each in your Miniature Pinscher to make your Miniature Pinscher live a longer.
Also, in this article, we will discuss other things you can do to ensure that your Miniature Pinscher have a longer than average lifespan.
Do you want to know how old your Miniature Pinscher is in human years? Then, check out our Miniature Pinscher age to human years calculator
Lifespan of the Miniature Pinscher Compared to Other Dog Breeds
See in the table below how the lifespan of the Miniature Pinscher compares to the lifespan of other dog breeds.
| Dog Breed | Average Lifespan (Years) |
|---|---|
| Lhasa Apso Lifespan | 14.30 |
| Silky Terrier Lifespan | 14.20 |
| Miniature Poodle Lifespan | 13.90 |
| Fox Terrier Lifespan | 13.10 |
| Miniature Pinscher Lifespan | 13.00 |
| Whippet Lifespan | 12.70 |
| Dalmatian Lifespan | 12.50 |
| Chihuahua Lifespan | 12.40 |
| Pembroke Welsh Corgi Lifespan | 12.20 |
| Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Lifespan | 12.00 |
| Brussels Griffon Lifespan | 12.00 |
| Kerry Blue Terrier Lifespan | 11.50 |
| Pug Lifespan | 11.00 |
| Glen of Imaal Terrier Lifespan | 10.40 |
| Havanese Lifespan | 10.20 |
| Boxer Lifespan | 10.20 |
| Bullmastiff Lifespan | 7.46 |
| Finnish Lapphund Lifespan | 7.33 |
| Kooikerhondje Lifespan | 3.92 |
| Neapolitan Mastiff Lifespan | 2.33 |
Common Causes of Death in Miniature Pinscher, and how to Prevent Them.
We will now discuss the common causes of death in Miniature Pinscher, according to scientific research. Also we will provide you advice on how to prevent these problems in your Miniature Pinscher.
Here are the causes of death, starting from the most common cause
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Neurologic Disease in Miniature Pinschers
These problems include canine cognitive disfunction, dementia, stroke, Lyme disease, and more.
Neurologic Disease is responsible for 22.3 percent of all deaths in Miniature Pinschers.
Causes of Neurologic Disease in Miniature Pinscher
Neurological issues can be caused by vascular disease, inflammatory disease, infectious disease, metabolic disease, cancer, and developmental disorders.
How to Prevent Neurologic Disease in Miniature Pinschers
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.
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Trauma in Miniature Pinschers
These includes cuts, bites, bruises, broken bones, wounds, scratches, and more.
Trauma is responsible for 19.6 percent of all deaths in Miniature Pinschers.
Causes of Trauma in Miniature Pinscher
One of the most common causes of trauma in Miniature Pinschers is getting hit by cats. Another common cause is bites and scratches from fighting or play with other dogs.
How to Prevent Trauma in Miniature Pinschers
The best way to keep your Miniature Pinscher 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 Miniature Pinscher 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 Miniature Pinscher from traumatic accidents.
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Gastrointestinal Disease in Miniature Pinschers
Gastrointestinal diseases includes vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, stomach upset, blockages, toothache, constipation, and more.
Gastrointestinal Disease is responsible for 14.3 percent of all deaths in Miniature Pinschers.
Causes of Gastrointestinal Disease in Miniature Pinscher
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 Miniature Pinscher 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 Miniature Pinscher stops eating or eats less than usual. This can be caused by many things; sometimes it could be that your Miniature Pinscher is feeling nauseous, sometimes it could be that your Miniature Pinscher 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 Miniature Pinschers
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 Miniature Pinscher`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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Cardiovascular Disease in Miniature Pinschers
Cardiac problems may include valvular and vascular disorders, which ultimately lead to the heart`s inability to pump oxygen-rich blood to tissues. Cardiac issues can be acute or chronic, and can lead to progressive heart failure or sudden death.
Cardiovascular Disease is responsible for 10.7 percent of all deaths in Miniature Pinschers.
Causes of Cardiovascular Disease in Miniature Pinscher
Heart disease in Miniature Pinschers may be caused by genetic (inherited) factors, lack of exercise, and poor diet. Heart disease can also be caused by infections such as bacteria (endocarditis, myocarditis, and more) as well as viruses, fungi, and parasites (heartworm).
How to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease in Miniature Pinschers
You can prevent heart problems in your Miniature Pinscher by exercising your Miniature Pinscher regularly and feeding your Miniature Pinscher a good diet. Heartworm, which causes heart problems, is also very easily avoided by using preventatives. Giving your dog the following supplements can help prevent heart diseases. Here is a good supplement that can prevent heart problems in your Miniature Pinscher. The supplement is not only good for your Miniature Pinscher`s heart, but it is also good for your Miniature Pinscher`s overall health.
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Musculoskeletal Disease in Miniature Pinschers
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 9.8 percent of all deaths in Miniature Pinschers.
Causes of Musculoskeletal Disease in Miniature Pinscher
The causes of many musculoskeletal issues have to do with age, breed, and weight. Older Miniature Pinschers are more prone to musculoskeletal issues, as are large breed dogs, and overweight dogs. Just like people, Miniature Pinschers 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 Miniature Pinschers
One way that you can help improve your Miniature Pinscher`s musculoskeletal health (especially if they are old is by giving your Miniature Pinscher joint supplements like this one. You can also help prevent hip dysplasia and slipped discs by not allowing your Miniature Pinscher to jump too much, even if they are a puppy. Consider buying young Miniature Pinschers 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 Miniature Pinscher`s muscles and bones healthy is by not letting them get overweight. You should avoid letting your Miniature Pinscher eat table scraps and make sure that they get plenty of exercise. If your Miniature Pinscher 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 Miniature Pinscher is overweight and you think you should try managing their diet a little more closely, you can start your Miniature Pinscher on a weight-management diet like this to help them get back to a healthier body condition.
How To Prevent Genetic Problems in Miniature Pinschers
Every dog breed has a set of genetic problems to which it is predisposed, and the Miniature Pinscher is not an exception.
These disease will reduce your Miniature Pinscher`s qualilty of life. Also, these diseases can shorten your Miniature Pinscher`s lifespan.
The good news is that these diseases can be prevented in Miniature Pinscher offsprings by only breeding Miniature Pinscher 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 Miniature Pinscher puppy that will grow up to be healthy and live long, make sure that your Miniature Pinscher 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 Miniature Pinscher has been screened for genetic health problems, then your can use an at-home genetic screening kit like this one to check your Miniature Pinscher for genetic health problems at home. This might help you in deciding whether to get your Miniature Pinscher a pet health insurance.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Miniature Pinschers for:
How Old is Your Miniature Pinscher in Human Years
The table below shows your human years equivalent age of your Miniature Pinscher. This table is based on a dog-to-human age study conducted by researchers from Purdue University.
Learn more about how old your Miniature Pinscher 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 Miniature Pinscher is 13.0 years.
Miniature Pinschers are tiny-sized dogs. Miniature Pinschers weigh 8 to 11 pounds.
The method developed by the Purdue University veterinarian researchers took into account the lifespan and size of Miniature Pinscher in converting Miniature Pinscher 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 Miniature Pinscher`s age to its human age based on the Purdue University method. Just enter your Miniature Pinscher`s age in the calculator and it will compute your Miniature Pinscher`s human age. If you do not know your Miniature Pinscher`s exact age, enter an approximate age in the calculator.
Also, the table below shows how old your Miniature Pinscher is in human years based on the method developed by the researchers.
Note that your Miniature Pinscher`s human age changes day by day. Therefore, always check back to use the calculator to find your Miniature Pinscher`s up-to-date human age.
Miniature Pinscher Age to Human Age Calculator (Purdue Uni. Method)
Below is a Miniature Pinscher age to human age calculator that is based on the methods developed by researchers from Purdue University.
The calculator will tell your Miniature Pinscher`s human age based on your Miniature Pinscher`s dog birthday. Also, the calculator will tell you which day is your Miniature Pinscher`s human birthday! Try it out!
| Miniature Pinscher Age (Years) | Human Age (Years) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 12 |
| 2 | 18 |
| 3 | 24 |
| 4 | 30 |
| 5 | 35 |
| 6 | 39 |
| 7 | 44 |
| 8 | 48 |
| 9 | 51 |
| 10 | 55 |
| 11 | 58 |
| 12 | 62 |
| 13 | 65 |
| 14 | 69 |
| 15 | 73 |
| 16 | 77 |
How Long Do Miniature Pinschers Live in Human Years?
The average lifespan of the Miniature Pinscher is 13.0 years. In human years, the Miniature Pinscher lives for 65 years.
How Old is 1-year-old Miniature Pinscher in Human Years?
A 1-year old Miniature Pinscher is 12 years old in human years.
How Old is 5-year-old Miniature Pinscher in Human Years?
A 5-year old Miniature Pinscher is 35 years old in human years.
How Old is 9-year-old Miniature Pinscher in Human Years?
A 9-year old Miniature Pinscher is 51 years old in human years.
How Old is 12-year-old Miniature Pinscher in Human Years?
A 12-year old Miniature Pinscher is 62 years old in human years.
More Ways to Make Your Miniature Pinscher Live Long
Here are more things your can do to make sure your Miniature Pinscher 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 Miniature Pinscher fit and make it live longer.
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Good Diet: A poorly-fed, underweight Miniature Pinscher does not have a good chance of living a long life. Similarly, an overweight Miniature Pinscher will have a shorter lifespan than a Miniature Pinscher that is of normal weight. Therefore, it is important that your feed your Miniature Pinscher high-quality dog food without overfeeding your Miniature Pinscher. Check out our Miniature Pinscher feeding guide here. Learn how you can prevent your Miniature Pinscher from being overweight here.
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Proper Hydration: Water is essential for your Miniature Pinscher existence. Therefore, you should make sure your Miniature Pinscher has access to clean water whenever your Miniature Pinscher needs water. However, too much water is bad for your Miniature Pinscher. See our Miniature Pinscher water drinking guide to learn more on how to properly hydrate your Miniature Pinscher.
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Spaying/Neutering: Sterilizing your Miniature Pinscher might prolong its life. Check out this guideline to know when it is the best time to spay/neuter your Miniature Pinscher.
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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 Miniature Pinscher is up to date on its vaccination.
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Dental Hygiene: Your Miniature Pinscher’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 Miniature Pinscher 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 Miniature Pinscher Life Expectancy
We hope the information we have provided will help your in increasing your Miniature Pinscher`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.