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Step 1
Consider your dog's breed. Some breeds simply live longer than others. The average toy poodle will likely live to be at least 14 years old before it dies, but the Bernese mountain dog isn't likely to live much past 7 years old.
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Step 2
Consider that dog lifespan starts with looking at the breed and goes from there. If you have a labrador retriever, the average lifespan is 11 years; for a German shepherd--11 years; a beagle--13 years; a dachshund--12 years; a boxer--10 years; a chihuahua--15 years; a rottweiler--9 years; a cocker spaniel--12 years.
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Step 3
Look at the size of your dog. Smaller pooches live longer typically than do larger dogs. This is believed to be because small dogs' bodies don't need to work as hard as those of larger canines. Another theory is that large dogs are more likely to be overweight.
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Step 4
Look at how fit your dog is. The more fit your dog is, the longer its lifespan will likely be. Keep your dog in shape to help it live longer.
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Step 5
Consider your dog's nutrition. If your dog's daily diet contains the nutrients it needs delivered in high-quality food, it stands a better chance of living a long life than a dog whose diet is table scraps.
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Step 6
Watch your dog's dental health. The dog who gets good dental care has a better chance of living a longer life than a dog whose teeth are in bad condition.
