Registered: Mar 2008
Location: Western N.Y.
Posts: 4005

After hearing of the passing of Mojo at 8, and the fact that the best dog i ever owned is also 8 and i would like to have a few more years with him got me to thinking that we always talk dogfood based on a dogs performance with little thought about what kind of a diet will help keep them healthy over the long haul. Im sure genetics play a large role in a dogs lifespan ,but just like we know that eating right will help us live longer i suspect that there is an optimum balance in dogfood that would contribute to longevity in our dogs.
I know guys that feed the cheapest stuff they can buy and their dogs seem to keep on ticking at 13 or 14 years old, makes me wonder if all the real high protien and fat feeds we use dont take a toll on a dogs lifespan?

__________________
Everything that makes them a COONDOG is on the inside

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Nov 2011
Location:
Posts: 856

Interesting thought, I don't know.
Take my obese neighbor for instance. Has not struck a lick in years, will barely walk 20 yards out to the mailbox, has the worst diet in the world and completely out of control diabetes, not to mention a prescription medication addiction but his younger brother who was exactly the opposite of him died about 15 years ago with a heart attack.
What kind of sense does that make?

There are many things that can cause a human to die immediately and abruptly, regardless of current health, diet, exercise regime, family history etc. I would imagine animals are the same way.

Last edited by garminguru on 12-25-2014 at 05:38 AM

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Dec 2012
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 2027

No idea, I would suspect someone that has worked in this field would have some in sight.

__________________
"If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you; that is the principal difference between a dog and a man."
Mark Twain

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Oct 2004
Location: Paragon IN
Posts: 1100

Had one die at 17 1/2 this year. She ate Purina dog chow her whole life. People say that is low quality feed, but it seems to do right by my pack!

__________________
Mike Sheppard
Sheppard's Northern Blue's
Home of UKC GR NT CH, PKC CH
2 time world finalist, 10th overall and high scoring Bluetick of the 2010 UKC World Coonhound Championship
NASHOBA VALLEY PIAZON, (RIP)
his littermate brother
UKC NT CH SHEPPARDS NORTHERN
BLUE LONER (RIP)
UKC GR NT CH RATTLERS BLUE SKY (RIP)
UKC Gr NT CH, PKC Ch Sheppard's Northern Blue Abbie, (PiazonxSky) UKC GR NT CH 'pr' Sheppards Northern Blue Punkin (PiazonXAlice) High scoring Bluetick of the 2015 (50th anniversary) Grand American, 2017 National Grand Nite Champion of breed, 2017 BBOA zone 4 Nite hunt dog of the year. Queen of hunt on 2019 Grand National Bluetick Reunion, 5th place and High Scoring Bluetick of 2019 UKC world Nite hunt Championship, 2019 Triple Crown Winner.
UKC GR NT CH 'pr' Mckintosh's Blue Flame Chopper
Gr Nt Ch Sheppards Northern Blue Goomba (Piazon X Dizzie) 14th place 2017 UKC world coon hound championship 100 purina point cast wins in 2018
and several other blueticks of lesser accomplishments

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jun 2003
Location: North GA
Posts: 14395

Had to put my old rat female down. 13. Got to where age couldnt eat. I fed so many different things over her lifetime. Dont know what it did. I guess she ate more black gold than anything else.

__________________
Michael Ghorley

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jun 2004
Location: Atoka. Oklahoma
Posts: 203

We have 3 dogs right now over 14+ years old. A B&T male, a daughter of Stylish Rank and a minature poodle. All 3 of these dogs have been on Pro Plan their whole life. Before Purina came out with Pro Plan Performance, we fed Purina Dog Chow and Hi Pro. Never had any problems. Honestly I think animals are just like people, a lot depends on genetics. Some are just prone to shorter lives due to things they inherited from the parents they are out of. I will always ask or check on sire and dam health issues when buying a new pup or grown dog.

I guess if a person feeds a good quality feed, provides them with fresh water and takes care of their medical needs...they will be around for a long time.

__________________
Purina. Chosen By Champions

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jul 2003
Location: East central Illinois.
Posts: 1701

I had one that was well taken care of. Fed Purina Dog chow most of his life. Died at 8 years old. He seemed to age fast from 5 to 8 years old (had arthritis pretty bad). In his younger years he got hunted hard. During his life I was on a weekend shift at work, so I had 4 days off every week. I think I wore him out, like a high mileage car. Part of it I'm sure was genetics though too.

__________________
Darrin Gher
Elbridge Redbones
Home of
GRNTCH PR' Steve-O and Chili's Red Flow
NTCH PR' Twisters Musical Red Huey DNA-VIP Perf Sire 06'07 Deceased 11/07
Former Home of
NTCH 'PR' Swann's Lonesome Red Music/ Kitty
NTCH. CH PR' SawBlade Red Reckon
NTCH. CH PR' Gher's Timber Mt. Brandy
Breeder of
GRNTCH PR' Daugherty's Red BUBBA
NTCH CH PR' BA'S Tree Top Rockin Griddle
NTCH PR' Lickcreek Backwoods Lil Red Annie

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jun 2003
Location: North GA
Posts: 14395

quote:

---

Originally posted by jdgher
I had one that was well taken care of. Fed Purina Dog chow most of his life. Died at 8 years old. He seemed to age fast from 5 to 8 years old (had arthritis pretty bad). In his younger years he got hunted hard. During his life I was on a weekend shift at work, so I had 4 days off every week. I think I wore him out, like a high mileage car. Part of it I'm sure was genetics though too.

---

__________________
Michael Ghorley

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Nov 2007
Location:
Posts: 820

There is a lot more to a dogs health than just the dog food. Are they given heartworm prevention?Are they wormed out regularly ? Do they have access to freshwater? Do they have dry bedding to sleep on and a good dry dog house to sleep in? Also they need flea and tick control too. Every dog is different. One dog food might work well for one dog but not for another dog. Just my opinion. I feed Purina Pro Plan by the way. Good stuff. At least it is for my dogs. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Aug 2014
Location:
Posts: 780

I have fed all types of dog foods. I have had mine custom made and pelleted using ingredients at the local feed mill, have feed corn based dog foods and am currently feeding a very good all meat. I have had dogs die at 7 years but most at 14 + or -.
I believe it is body condition that ultimately has the most to do with life expectancy. Fat dogs just seem to die younger. I have found that it is generally easier for a dog to get fat on cheaper corn and soybean dogfood than on a topshelf meatbased one.
Feeding a hound during season is easy, feeding them in the offseason is tough.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jan 2012
Location: canton texas
Posts: 709

the good ones all ways die young . my moms old dogs a border collie and a healer cross of some sort lived way beyond normal dog years . ate cheap dog food were never wormed or treated for heat worms never had a shot of any kind roamed free all their lives in fact never even came close to getting a bath or a flea dip .

so I guess you just never know when they'll go , I do all I can to keep a hound happy and fit and just hope it's enough .

__________________
EAT MORE POSSUM !!!

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Sep 2007
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 1442

Crossbred dogs are usually healthier.... Maybe it isn't the food.....

__________________
Lonetree Kennels "Where dogs are made one tree at a time."
Home of-
David and Jessica Smith 605-270-2674
GRNITECH 'PR' DERBY CITY SANDY
GRNITECH GRCH CASH'S CAMO JUG OF SHINE
--2012 National Grand Nite Champion American Leopard Hound
--High Scoring Leopard 2012 Autumn Oaks
--High scoring Leopard Saturday night at Leopard days 2011
--Qualified for the 2011 UKC World Hunt.
--High Scoring Leopard of the 2011 UKC World Hunt
--Breed Winner for the 2011 Purina Race Hunt
--2011 South Dakota State Hunt Champion
CH RYLEIGH'S GRIM REAPER
--Tri-State Coonhunters Association 2010 Bench show dog of the year

And the Redbone--
2013 Tri-State Overall Bench Show Dog of the Year:
'PR' CH RAGGED RIDGE CJ (Willie) co-owned with Bob Julson

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Aug 2012
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 1075

Just a thought but I think clean water has a lot to do with it . A lot of nasty stuff can get in water , I clean my buckets out once a week and give fresh water every other day and when I say fresh I mean dump it out no matter how full and fill it up . I've got my Megan dog on purina cause I don't hunt her no more and the other two that's in the woods every week I've got on southern states advantage 24/20 . But seems to me it's just a gamble when it's their time it's their time . One of my best died at 5 years old healthy as anything . Seems a lot of stud dogs die around 8 though and most are just in the pin breeding and not being hunted much dunno if that has to do with it or not ?

__________________
Bell Mtn Kennel
- Home Of The Bell Mountain Hounds -

Gr Nite Champion Cords Lil Rattler
Nite Champion Track Driver “Tank”
Nite Champion Stylish Hanna
Nite Champion Stylish Blackjack
Nite Champion Hogback Boyd HTX
Nite Champion Bell Mountain Buster
Nite Champion Show Ch Bell Mountain Megan
(2012 WV Governor's Cup Hunt Champion)

- Use and Recommend Rameys Dog Supply -

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: May 2007
Location: fairmont wv
Posts: 11976

dogs ae like people some age quicker than others i would say this dog was hunted all his life and he just got broke down and his body and system aged up in yrs past his actual age even though he had the best of care

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Oct 2005
Location: SC
Posts: 3709

Toucan Sam has a tumor in his lung. Has been diagnosed for 4 years. His lungs are full of fluid and is on some meds that cost more then our car payment every month.

He lives on the outside just like the rest of our hounds. He eats Diamond dog feed and gets treats just like all the rest.

I have no idea what has given him the will to live and his drive to stay alive but he sure has it. We know he won't be here forever but I'm amazed he's hung on this long. Its in his heart I think. He just has a really strong heart.

Its sure hard to say goodbye to them.

__________________
BROKEN ROAD KENNEL
Breeding for the future of the Treeing Walker
"God bless the Broken Road"
~A man is only as good as his word~

Proud home to;

'PR' Kentucky River Fly Again (Kentucky River Rowdy frozen semen)
ACHA CHT x3 Broken Roads Little Texas (Kentucky River Rowdy x Houses Lipper's Hope)
CH Broken Roads Southern Stylish Boom (Kentucky River Rowdy x Houses Lipper's Hope)
Broken Road's Rowdy Lil Miss (Kentucky River Rowdy x Houses Lipper's Hope)
Broken Road's Meabie I will (Lipper's Rooster x Missy)
Broken Roads IMA Boomer2 (UKC NATL GRCH GRNTCH Honest Abe x Broken Roads Southern Stylish Boom
~~~~~Watch out!~~~~~
They just might make an IMPACT!

and the girls...Punkin and Tater!

Gone by never forgotten ~ Fly high my beautiful angels
~ GRCH GNTCH PKC SC Toucan Sam
~CH Toucan's Ugly Betty
~ CCH CH Southforks September Rain
~ Martin's Daisy JJ (what a beautiful litter you left behind)
~ Luke, the lab who brought us so many doves and ducks over the years
~ UKC GRCH,ACHA CH 2014 LWCH 2014 2 x's ACHA YOUTH WCH AKC CH AKC CH 'PR' Kentucky River Mundar ~ (Kentucky River Rowdy frozen semen) DNA Profiled ~ Fly high, old friend.

"The WILL of God will never take you where the GRACE of God can not protect you!"

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Oct 2005
Location: SC
Posts: 3709

quote:

---

Originally posted by kayapellijed390
Crossbred dogs are usually healthier.... Maybe it isn't the food.....

---

__________________
BROKEN ROAD KENNEL
Breeding for the future of the Treeing Walker
"God bless the Broken Road"
~A man is only as good as his word~

Proud home to;

'PR' Kentucky River Fly Again (Kentucky River Rowdy frozen semen)
ACHA CHT x3 Broken Roads Little Texas (Kentucky River Rowdy x Houses Lipper's Hope)
CH Broken Roads Southern Stylish Boom (Kentucky River Rowdy x Houses Lipper's Hope)
Broken Road's Rowdy Lil Miss (Kentucky River Rowdy x Houses Lipper's Hope)
Broken Road's Meabie I will (Lipper's Rooster x Missy)
Broken Roads IMA Boomer2 (UKC NATL GRCH GRNTCH Honest Abe x Broken Roads Southern Stylish Boom
~~~~~Watch out!~~~~~
They just might make an IMPACT!

and the girls...Punkin and Tater!

Gone by never forgotten ~ Fly high my beautiful angels
~ GRCH GNTCH PKC SC Toucan Sam
~CH Toucan's Ugly Betty
~ CCH CH Southforks September Rain
~ Martin's Daisy JJ (what a beautiful litter you left behind)
~ Luke, the lab who brought us so many doves and ducks over the years
~ UKC GRCH,ACHA CH 2014 LWCH 2014 2 x's ACHA YOUTH WCH AKC CH AKC CH 'PR' Kentucky River Mundar ~ (Kentucky River Rowdy frozen semen) DNA Profiled ~ Fly high, old friend.

"The WILL of God will never take you where the GRACE of God can not protect you!"

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Apr 2009
Location: Iowa
Posts: 928

While food no doubt plays a role, I would guess that there is a lot more factors that play a role in longevity. I try to avoid families with recent cancer and other health issues. No sense in stacking the odds against you.

__________________
“The fact that an opinion has been widely held is no evidence whatsoever that it is not utterly absurd.”

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Feb 2013
Location: Indiana
Posts: 4548

This is just my opinion.......
The Stud dogs that continue to be hunted seem to last longer than the ones that are stuck in the breeding pen and that's all the excersize they get.
I have to give credit to the guys that keep hunting them, like Bryan Whitted & Mr. Clean, Like Big D, etc., etc.

__________________
Track B4 Tree









Quality, Dependable Coon Lights--Built by a Coonhunter for Coonhunters
==================================
** Superior Lites

** Nitehunters.com

** Zepp's--Quality Products

** Tall Timber
Lights

**Boss Lights & Boss Pro


** They Twist it until they start believing it themselves**















Purina Dog Food
** Proven Results **

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Competition Coonhunters and Politicians
** Win anyway you have to & tell everyone what they want to hear **

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Sep 2007
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 1442

quote:

---

Originally posted by Cleo
What makes you believe that?

---

__________________
Lonetree Kennels "Where dogs are made one tree at a time."
Home of-
David and Jessica Smith 605-270-2674
GRNITECH 'PR' DERBY CITY SANDY
GRNITECH GRCH CASH'S CAMO JUG OF SHINE
--2012 National Grand Nite Champion American Leopard Hound
--High Scoring Leopard 2012 Autumn Oaks
--High scoring Leopard Saturday night at Leopard days 2011
--Qualified for the 2011 UKC World Hunt.
--High Scoring Leopard of the 2011 UKC World Hunt
--Breed Winner for the 2011 Purina Race Hunt
--2011 South Dakota State Hunt Champion
CH RYLEIGH'S GRIM REAPER
--Tri-State Coonhunters Association 2010 Bench show dog of the year

And the Redbone--
2013 Tri-State Overall Bench Show Dog of the Year:
'PR' CH RAGGED RIDGE CJ (Willie) co-owned with Bob Julson

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Oct 2005
Location: SC
Posts: 3709

Well actually I am writing a paper on it.

healthypet.mercola.com just off the top of my head disagrees.

Dr Karen Beckers
On June 1, 2013 Journal of American Vet Med Ast. Disagrees

I wasn't trying to be smart or disrespectful. That's why I asked.

Personally if that's what floats ppls boats go for it. Ppl are making a killing of breeding mutts and putting a new name on them.

__________________
BROKEN ROAD KENNEL
Breeding for the future of the Treeing Walker
"God bless the Broken Road"
~A man is only as good as his word~

Proud home to;

'PR' Kentucky River Fly Again (Kentucky River Rowdy frozen semen)
ACHA CHT x3 Broken Roads Little Texas (Kentucky River Rowdy x Houses Lipper's Hope)
CH Broken Roads Southern Stylish Boom (Kentucky River Rowdy x Houses Lipper's Hope)
Broken Road's Rowdy Lil Miss (Kentucky River Rowdy x Houses Lipper's Hope)
Broken Road's Meabie I will (Lipper's Rooster x Missy)
Broken Roads IMA Boomer2 (UKC NATL GRCH GRNTCH Honest Abe x Broken Roads Southern Stylish Boom
~~~~~Watch out!~~~~~
They just might make an IMPACT!

and the girls...Punkin and Tater!

Gone by never forgotten ~ Fly high my beautiful angels
~ GRCH GNTCH PKC SC Toucan Sam
~CH Toucan's Ugly Betty
~ CCH CH Southforks September Rain
~ Martin's Daisy JJ (what a beautiful litter you left behind)
~ Luke, the lab who brought us so many doves and ducks over the years
~ UKC GRCH,ACHA CH 2014 LWCH 2014 2 x's ACHA YOUTH WCH AKC CH AKC CH 'PR' Kentucky River Mundar ~ (Kentucky River Rowdy frozen semen) DNA Profiled ~ Fly high, old friend.

"The WILL of God will never take you where the GRACE of God can not protect you!"

Last edited by Cleo on 12-26-2014 at 10:43 PM

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: May 2007
Location: fairmont wv
Posts: 11976

think what he is saying and from my expernice of 50 yrs haveing dogs and horses you take a mixed up dog most never have issues like a purebred dog seems like the reg dogs get sick and alot more health problems than a mixed up dog jmo

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Mar 2008
Location: Western N.Y.
Posts: 4005

Another generality that holds true is that the bigger the dog the shorter the lifespan..... but i am more interested in finding weather any research has been done on the effect of diet on lifespan.

__________________
Everything that makes them a COONDOG is on the inside

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Dec 2012
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 2027

quote:

---

Originally posted by john Duemmer
Another generality that holds true is that the bigger the dog the shorter the lifespan..... but i am more interested in finding weather any research has been done on the effect of diet on lifespan.

---

You mean "Whether"

I'm sure there has been John, as we all know, dog food is a million dollar industry. I know Purina and other major companies spend billions on coming up with cost effective but nutritional dog food. I'm not sure those findings would be made public. Best place to look would probably a vet schools some where, I'm sure many papers and lectures have been on this subject.

I know the main difference in senior dog food, is lower fat and protein. To prevent probably what the biggest issue with older dogs, which is being overweight. Hard on there joints,heart etc etc. I would imagine they probably also add glucosamine and other supplements to help with joints and such. I would imagine most hunting dogs are in better physical shape then most,and therefore probably are much better off then most pets.

I don't think a higher protein and higher fat diet would lead to a shorten life span unless, there overweight. I think self feeders could compared to a measured amount. Dog food even moderately priced ones are filled with a moderate amount of grain based fillers or oat fillers or whatever. So last time I checked a wild dog would for the most part eat fish and meat, so I cant see how a adding protien could be a bad thing. If it was I would expect it to see it show up in there liver enzymes.

I guess a point could be made maybe dry dog food verse a raw diet. I think that would be an interesting studies, but I also agree with the other posters with that there are many other factors at play.

I believe the best you can do for an old dog, would be to feed a senior feed, and make sure there not getting to much, and there weight is in check. Also extra warmth.
I recently bought a hound heater and love it. Might want to consider that.
On a more positive note, if you have the means, you could get him cloned in south Korea for about 50 grand.

__________________
"If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you; that is the principal difference between a dog and a man."
Mark Twain

Last edited by Fisher13 on 12-27-2014 at 03:43 PM

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

I feel if you averaged the life span of hunting dogs and compared the north to the south. Dogs down here would show a lower life span.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jan 2012
Location: Goshen,Ohio
Posts: 2679

My buddy in Indiana feeds his dogs Duralife.Its the cheapest junk food you can buy.His dogs are like 11 or 12 and I say every year they prolly won't live threw another winter.Yet every year I go over to hunt they are still there.lol....I'm pretty shocked that Mojo died so young cause Id bet he was feed top of the line feed and taking care of better than most. Heck it's pretty common to hear of people in there 30's and 40's having heart attacks.So dogs can't be much differant.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged