what's the best breed of dog to mix with an Irish Wolfhound for longevity?

Question

My Irish Wolfhound puppy costed $1,300 (she is not spayed) and I've always loved the breed but I'm a little sad that in a few months she will only have 5 more years to live *average*. Does anyone know of any genetic work that has been done on what wolfhound mixes have longevity or even just what dogs live the longest?

Answer 1

No - its a fact of life that the bigger the dog, the shorter the lifespan is. Smaller dogs live about 2- 3 times as long as the big guys.

Answer 2

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RE:

what's the best breed of dog to mix with an Irish Wolfhound for longevity?

My Irish Wolfhound puppy costed $1,300 (she is not spayed) and I've always loved the breed but I'm a little sad that in a few months she will only have 5 more years to live *average*. Does anyone know of any genetic work that has been done on what wolfhound mixes have longevity or even just...

Answer 3

Irish Wolfhound Lab Mix

Answer 4

Irish Wolfhound Mix

Answer 5

I have a Black Lab and Irish Wolfhound mix, he's 14 years old! still moving, but slower. I also had a sheep dog, Giant schnawzier and Wolfhound Mix, lived 10 1/2 years, died of liver cancer. Both Dogs were and are great, best friends

Michael

Answer 6

None. The best thing you can do is find the healthiest candidates and breed those, and hopefully their good health will pass on to the offspring. Usually it's the hearts that give out because of their large size, so a strong, healthy heart is what you want if you want to try to extend the life of an Irish wolfhound.



However, if you truly love the breed, don't breed your female. It would not benefit the breed to add more to the population unless you prove that she is, in fact, one of those healthy candidates with a good, healthy heart. Along with good (preferably excellent) hips, elbows, and some sport titles, such as in conformation, rally, obedience, etc. And that's the bare minimum.

Answer 7

NONE



there's no proof that mixes live longer



a mixed breed dog has no guarantees on traits.. it could live the short lifespan of the wolfhound, and pick up some of the traits from the other mix.. so you could very well end up with a dog that lives a short life and is nothing like your beloved wolfhound anyways



Not to mention.. breeding would shorten her lifespan.. so you'd have even LESS time with your dog if you bred her.

Answer 8

The puppies will be EXTREMELY unhealthy if they are Irish Wolfhound mixes. The big bones and health problems will be increased because it will take health problems from both breeds. It just isn't safe at all. If you are going to breed her, make sure you know EVERYTHING there is to know about it, have worked with other Irish Wolfhound breeders, and have a breeding mentor. Irish Wolfhounds are naturally unhealthy, and mucking up their gene pool can't do anything but make MORE problems.

Answer 9

Irish Wolfhound have such shot lives because of their size so I would assume that any kind of with that is smaller than a average IW would probably have a longer lifespan, although I have never seen an IW mix either. I have not been able to find any kind of research involving IW mixes and lifespans, I'm just assuming.

Answer 10

Had Irish wolfhound who was still healthy at ten but got heartworm. His mother lived to twelve. Can have decent length of life if looked after properly.

E. Australia

Answer 11

None - there have been no studies because IW shouldn't be bred with other breeds.



Mutts should not be created.. Yes it's sad they have a short lifespan compared with other dogs, but there is no reason why your dog (assuming she has come from genetically healthy parents) shouldn't live past the average age.



This is what you have to deal with in giant breeds.



ADD: Sorry, I don't help BYB's.

Answer 12

If big = short life

and.. small = longer life



then... chihuahua is your answer

Answer 13

Try to mix him with a siberian husky!! we got 2 in this house