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Dog Life Cycle - Anatomy, Life Stages, Diseases, Foods

Genetics, diet, and the standard of care are some of the elements that influence how quickly age changes. Check this article to know all about the Dog Life Cycle.
authorImageJasdeep Bhatia7 Apr, 2024
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Dog Life Cycle

If you are looking for a dog life cycle , you have come to the right place!

The life cycle of dogs will be discussed in this article. Dogs are domesticated carnivores that are a part of the Canidae family. The average lifespan of a dog is 10 to 15 years. Dogs have been living with people for approximately 20,000 years. Some biologists think that wolves and dogs have a common ancestry. However, due to evolution, dogs and wolves have grown in different directions. We can conclude that the immediate progenitors of dogs are extinct because modern wolves are not significantly related to the initially domesticated wolves.

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Introduction

The most well-known and familiar domestic animal in the world is the dog. These creatures have coexisted with humans as hunting partners for more than 12,000 years. Dogs make excellent hunting partners because they have good senses of taste and scent. As time passed, people discovered these traits and, motivated by need and desire, developed new breeds. The family Canidae and domesticated mammals known as dogs are carnivores. The dog is a member of the Canis lupus subspecies of the grey wolf.

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Dogs and foxes, and jackal species are related. Because of the transformation of wolves into dogs, there are currently 400 different breeds of dogs.

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Dog Anatomy

  • Dogs are regarded as one of the more vicious animals. In contrast to humans, dogs have highly developed sensory faculties. A research investigation revealed that dogs could detect the planet's magnetic field.
  • One of the mammals regarded as predators is the canine species. Their cardiovascular systems support speed, pounding, and endurance. They can shred and hunt with their sharp fangs. Like many other scavenger animals, dogs have strong, muscular bodies, and their wrist bones are fused.
  • However, as science and technology have developed, a wide variety of dogs have been bred, some of which are considered to be domesticated because they cannot survive in the wild, contrary to the nature of their species.
  • Dog breeds come in a variety of sizes and weights. Depending on the species, a dog might weigh anything from 20 to 80 pounds. Dogs are animals with warm blood. Thus, they have the same organ systems as other mammals, including the respiratory, digestive, reproductive, etc.
  • Their integumentary system consists of the skin and fur covering the animal's body and shielding it from environmental conditions is another feature. When it comes to domestic dogs, there are two different coat kinds. The first type is the "double" coat variety, typically found in dogs from regions with colder climates.
  • The health of the dog is typically discernible through its coat. And healthy nutrition helps to keep the skin in place. Humans experience premature greying of the hair, and so do canines under the age of two.
  • Dogs' tails typically reflect their emotional state. The dogs' tails might be in a sickle shape, straight up, docked, curled, etc. In the case of domestic dogs, this helps them to be trained quickly by their owner because dogs have a considerable intellectual ability that allows them to grasp things quickly.

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Four Stages of a Dog’s Life Cycle

The four stages of a dog's life cycle are puppy, adolescence, adult, and senior.
  • Puppy: This stage lasts 6 to 15 months after birth. The puppy cannot see or hear during its first few weeks and can not control their body temperature. The mother is the only source of survival for the puppy. When the puppy reaches the age of three to four weeks, its sensory capacity develops, and they begin to see and hear. They start to move a little bit. The puppy must spend the first two months after birth, living with their mother and siblings while they adjust to the new environment.
  • Adolescent: Depending on the breed, the adolescent stage of a dog's life might start anywhere between 8 and 18 months after birth. The early reproductive hormones alter the dog's physical and mental behaviour during this period. If the dogs are not spayed or neutered, they display symptoms similar to those in adolescent humans. Male dogs are more interested in sniffing the urine to mate with females when female dogs go into heat. In some large breeds' life cycles, this stage can last up to 36 months.
  • Adulthood: Unlike the teenage stage, dogs' adult stage is simpler to handle. If properly trained, dogs will follow instructions. They take pleasure in socialising and going on walks. Additionally, sexual behaviour is under control, and the dogs are less agitated. After 20 months of their lifespan, the adult stage starts in most breeds.
  • Senior Stage: Dogs in this stage are more comparable to seniors in humans. After they have lived for 6 to 8 years, the stage starts. While running, the dogs soon become exhausted. They do have oral problems and are frequently observed sleeping. One of the main issues to be resolved when the canines reach this period of life is urinary incontinence. While a dog's lifespan typically ranges from 8 to 15 years, some canines can live for up to 20 years, provided they receive proper nutrition and don't suffer from significant illnesses.

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Diseases in Dogs

When dogs are taken for a stroll in the park or come into touch with other dogs with illnesses, they can contract diseases from the environment. If any odd indications or symptoms are found, they must be taken to the veterinarian. The following illnesses are regarded as being fatal in dogs:
  • Canine Distemper: Canine distemper is a viral infection that spreads quickly and is infectious. The dogs may have paralysis, vomiting, coughing, and fever. Even if other dogs with these illnesses share the same food bowl, this can be considered airborne and contagious. Dogs frequently exhibit irate and angry behaviour. The physicians advise getting lots of rest and water. The best way to avoid this illness is with a vaccine; pets should never be left alone with stray dogs.
  • Heartworm: The parasite known as heartworm, as the name suggests, lives in the dog's heart and can infect the lungs, heart, and blood vessels. The signs include weight loss, coughing, and respiratory problems. Dogs with this condition need to have aggressive steroids and antibiotic therapy. Giving them a clean environment and regularly taking the dogs to the vet for examinations are the only ways to prevent this illness.

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  • Canine Parvovirus: When a healthy dog comes into contact with the faeces of a sick dog, it can contract the canine parvovirus. If the infection spreads to the dog's internal organs, it is contagious and challenging to treat. Weakness, a fever, a cough, and significant weight loss are symptoms. The treatment plan calls for the delivery of lots of fluids and the prompt treatment of any subsequent infections. Vaccines must be administered on schedule to stop the disease from ever spreading.
  • Lyme Disease: This illness develops when a dog gets bitten by a tick. The bacterium enters the circulation by a tick bite and spreads throughout the body. The puppy or dog begins to experience joint pain as soon as the spread starts. The dogs experience fever and appetite loss and frequently hobble due to the pain. If the illness is not treated, it could become dangerous. Antibiotics and appropriate vaccinations are part of the treatment. It's important to have a good diet and clean dogs.
  • Rabies: One of the deadly diseases, rabies, is transmitted through an animal's saliva or bites, and it can be fatal. Even humans are susceptible to it through a bite. The rabies virus cannot be treated. The only solution is to avoid contact with diseased animals and get vaccinated against the rabies virus promptly.

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Toxic Foods for Dogs

Some of the most typical household meals can seriously affect your dog. The following foods should not be fed to dogs:
  • Alcohol
  • Apple, Apricot, Cherry, & Plum Seeds/Pits
  • Avocado
  • Broccoli
  • Caffeine & Coffee Grounds
  • Ham, & Other Fatty Cuts of Meat, Chicken & Turkey Skin
  • Chocolate
  • Grapes & Raisins
  • Macadamia Nuts, Almonds, & Pistachios
  • Milk & Dairy Products
  • Mushrooms
  • Nutmeg & Cinnamon
  • Onions, Garlic, Chives, & Leeks
  • Salt
  • Spicy Food
  • Sugar-Free Gum & Candy (Xylitol)
  • Tomatoes & Raw Potatoes
  • Tobacco
  • Yeast & Raw Dough
  • Raw Meat

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Foods Safe for Dogs

These well-known foods are okay for dogs to eat.
  • Apples, Oranges, & Bananas
  • Blueberries
  • Cantaloupe, Mango, Peaches, Pears, Pineapples, & Watermelon
  • Carrots, Cucumber, & Celery
  • Cheese
  • Eggs
  • Peanuts, Peanut Butter, & Cashews
  • Popcorn & Corn
  • Coconut & Honey
  • Shrimp & Fish
  • Turkey
  • Grains, Wheat, & Quinoa
  • Green beans

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Dog Life Cycle <span style=

Can a dog live for 21 years?

Dogs age differently depending on their adult size, which is sometimes influenced by breed: smaller dogs typically live over 15–16 years (the maximum is 20 years), medium– and large–sized dogs typically live 10–20 years, and certain enormous dog breeds, like mastiffs, frequently survive only 7–8 years.

How old is one in dog years?

The first year of a medium-sized dog's life is equivalent to about 15 years of a human's life, says the American Veterinary Medical Association. A dog's second year equals nine years in a human's life. After that, a dog lives for about four or five years for every human year.

What dog stage is the most difficult?

Puberty is the most difficult time to raise a dog. When dogs reach puberty, they appear to have forgotten everything they have learned. This time frame varies from dog to dog, but it could start when the dog is around eight months old and last until it is two years old.

When do dogs start to lose speed?

Most dogs reach their golden years at the age of 7. However, larger dog breeds may reach this age a bit earlier. Their senses start to fade, they slow down, and they might put on weight more quickly. An older dog's behaviour will offer you many cues as to what he wants, but sometimes it helps to express it verbally.

What is the oldest dog still alive?

As of 1 February 2023, Bobi, a Portuguese dog born on May 11, 1992, is the oldest dog still alive. He has spent his entire childhood in the remote Portuguese community of Conqueiros with the Costa family. Bobi is a Rafeiro do Alentejo, a Portuguese livestock guardian dog breed that is purebred.
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