How Long Do Fox Terriers Live? Tips For A Longer Lifespan
Dogs are not just pets; they are family, so we want them to stay with us as long as possible. Speaking of the lifespan of dogs, as we know, they age differently from human beings.
The genetic formation of dogs makes them grow way faster than humans; hence, a dog’s typical life expectancy range is 10-12 years.
However, there are exceptions too. Some dog breeds get lifespans below the average range or even above it. Through this article, we will be talking about the lifespan of Fox Terriers.
So, How long do Fox Terriers live? What is the average lifespan of a Fox Terrier? In most cases, a healthy Fox Terrier can live up to 12-15 years. Fox Terriers can be categorized into a few categories, namely Smooth Fox Terriers, Wire Fox Terriers, and Toy Fox Terriers; based on that, their lifespan could slightly change. While genes are the primary determinant of a Fox Terrier’s lifespan, other factors such as nutrients, physical activities, and environmental conditions can also impact it. Overall, Fox Terrier is a breed that has a somewhat more extended life expectancy range.
Smaller dog breeds usually live longer than large ones; therefore, if you have a Fox Terrier or are willing to have one, the good news is they have a long lifespan. Just because this breed has a long lifespan does not mean they are not prone to any health complexities.
Like any other dog, Fox Terriers also undergo different health issues that could impact their lifespan. Moreover, how you treat the dog will also affect it significantly.
Keep reading to find more information regarding this topic and get some valuable tips to help your beloved pet enjoy its maximum life expectancy.
What is the lifespan of Fox Terriers?
As mentioned earlier, the average lifespan of a Fox Terrier is 12-15 years. Remember that this is just an average range meaning this could slightly differ under varying circumstances.
As long as you take proper care of the dog and pay sufficient attention to their health, you can ensure that they live up to the maximum they can.
If you wonder what makes Fox Terriers have a somewhat longer life span, that is mainly because of their genes. Due to their genetic formation, smaller dog breeds live longer than larger ones.
In other words, the larger the dog gets, the shorter its life expectancy. You can’t apply this theory to all animals, but dogs’ size vastly impacts their life expectancy.
As a small dog breed, Fox Terriers enjoy a longer life span than many other breeds.
When is Fox Terrier considered a senior dog?
Given the fact that dogs typically live around 10-12 years, we can consider them senior dogs when they reach the age of 8 or above.
They become seniors relatively faster if it is a gigantic dog breed, but it takes more time for small dogs. Small dog breeds typically become senior dogs around 11-12 years old.
As you know, Fox Terriers are small dogs with a considerably longer life span. Therefore they are considered senior dogs by the age of 10 or above.
What is the average age for a Fox Terrier to die?
Fox Terriers generally have a lifespan of 12-15 years, but we cannot completely guarantee that they would live up to 15 years. This might change due to multiple reasons.
The average age for a Fox Terrier to die is 12-13 years. The better you pay attention to their health and well-being, the longer they get to enjoy life.
However, like human beings, dogs are also vulnerable to different health complexities. While some of them are controllable, some are not.
In such instances, a Fox Terrier could die below the average they should. But typically, a healthy Fox Terrier dies when they reach the age of 12 and above.
What is the oldest living Fox Terrier?
We identify the average life span of a dog breed through generalization. However, there are occasions when these stats can get challenged.
Sometimes dogs can live quite far beyond their average life expectancy ranges. Fox Terriers usually live up to 15 years.
Still, there are Fox Terriers who lived more than that, and out of them, Pebbles hold the record for the world’s oldest living Fox Terrier.
According to the Guinness World Records (2022), Pebbles is a Toy Fox Terrier that belongs to a family in South Carolina, United States. Pebbles was born in 2000 and turned 22 this year, marking a Guinness record as the world’s oldest living dog.
Factors that influence the lifespan of a Fox Terrier
Genes play a critical role in influencing the lifespan of any dog, including Fox Terriers, but that is not the sole reason that impacts their lifespan.
Several other reasons also could significantly affect the lifespan of a Fox Terrier, so let’s find out what they are.
- Genetics and breeding
Genetics is the principal reason that impacts the lifespan of a Fox Terrier. As mentioned, the size of canines has a critical influence on their life span, so the bigger the dog, the more likely the average life expectancy will decrease.
Different dog breeds can be more prone to certain health problems due to genetic conditions, which may impact their lifespan.
Also, if the puppies descend from purebred bloodlines and healthy parents, they tend to grow relatively healthier.
- Nutritients
You might have heard the term “you are what you eat.” This applies to dogs too. The healthier they eat, the longer they live. Nutrients play an essential role in your Fox Terrier’s healthy life.
When you feed your dog, you should pay attention to the quality and the quantity of food. Fox Terriers are small-made dogs; therefore, they do not require much food.
If you keep overfeeding the dog, thinking it might help them grow better and stay healthier, that is wrong. Conversely, that could make things worse.
Give the appropriate amount of food split into two meals and make sure their food contains proteins, vitamins, and fats.
Avoid giving them junk food as much as possible and always opt for natural snacks.
It is vital to feed them properly since the pup stage because if your Fox Terrier lacks adequate nutrients while they are young, it could develop more health complexities as they grow up.
- Physical activities
A sufficient amount of physical activities is equally important to ensure that your Fox Terrier enjoys their maximum lifespan.
Exercise supports dogs in sustaining their physical and mental health, which will positively impact their well-being.
Fox Terriers are naturally active and energetic dogs, so you will not find it hard to engage them in physical activities.
However, it is also essential not to over-engage them in exercise. If you make the dog too tired, it could have negative consequences. So make a schedule and provide activities accordingly.
- Mental stimulation
Not just genes, food, and exercise impact a dog’s lifespan; mental stimulation and emotions also have a lot to do with it.
Imagine growing up with no love, no care; how hard would that life be? Just like humans, dogs also feel emotions. When they receive affection from family, it makes them happy.
If they don’t get any care or attention from family, it will undoubtedly affect their mental and, eventually, physical health.
What health problems do Fox Terriers have?
Below you can find some common health complexities that can be seen among Fox Terriers. Most of these health issues can be properly cured by taking action at the initial stages.
This is a common issue for many small-sized dogs. When they get affected by this condition, it minimizes the blood supply to the head of the thigh bone, making them hard to use the affected limbs.
Limping and stiffness are common symptoms, and the dog might indicate them from a young age, like 4-6 months.
- Patellar luxation
In simple terms, this refers to the dislocation of the kneecap and yet another common genetic problem among small dogs.
Unusual posture and uncomfortable walking patterns can be some indicators of this issue.
Mild diagnosis can be healed without surgeries, but it must be cured through surgery if it goes to severe stages.
- Dental issues
Dental issues also tend to be common among Foxies. Dogs gather tartar in their gums, and you must clean them to ensure their dental hygiene.
What is critical regarding dental issues is that if you ignore them, they could develop into severe cases and affect the dog’s kidneys, joints, liver, and heart.
- Eye problems
In this breed, you can also notice eye problems such as Primary lens luxation, Glaucoma, and Cataracts.
It is important to take your Foxie for occasional eye check-ups to avoid blindness and the pain it causes to the dog.
Conclusion
No dog owner would want their pet to die young. However, the way dogs age is different from ours; therefore, even if dogs are in their best health, they can’t live as long as humans.
Still, some dogs could live relatively longer compared to others. Fox Terrier is a breed that typically enjoys a life of 12-15 years.
Internal factors such as genes vastly influence their lifespan, and external factors such as healthy food, exercise, environmental conditions, and emotions also impact it.
We can’t guarantee how long will a Fox Terrier live, but if you take proper care of them, they will enjoy and live to the fullest.
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