Small breeds of dogs are known to live 1.5 times longer than most of the larger breed of dogs. There is a consensus that this has to do with the idea that the larger the body the harder it has to work, and consequently will break down faster as it ages. It’s not difficult to imagine a 200-pound St. Bernard’s heart working much harder than a seven-pound Pomeranian’s.
Another factor appears to be gender. Female Poms usually live about a year or two longer than their male counterparts.
The smallest member of the Spitz family, the Pomeranian has an average lifespan of 12 to 18 years. If you grew up with dogs in your family, you know it’s quite common for dogs to easily live past their average lifespan.
Things you can do to increase your Pom’s lifespan
The importance of diet and exercise cannot be stressed enough. Keeping your Pom’s weight in a healthy range is one of the best ways of ensuring that your pet lives a healthy, happy, long life. In order to do this you have to feed him the best food and give him plenty of exercise.
The best food for your Pom is served fresh and has no fillers, artificial colouring, grain, wheat or preservatives. Take your Pom for a thirty-minute walk every day, and give him a few sessions of playtime every week (fetch, tug of war, etc.). A balance of exercise and active play will keep his heart and body healthy.
Vaccinations and follow-up boosters must be maintained until your Pom is five years old. If you keep up with the proper vaccines, meaning you don’t skip a vaccine or over vaccinate your furry Pom will live longer.
Lastly, spaying or neutering your Pom will increase his chances of living longer. An unaltered Pom has greater risk of developing diseases related to reproductive organs.
