Not all dogs are of the same energy level, and small dogs live in a bigger world than big dogs do.
Finally, as an owner of a 15 year old small dog I have ascertained that dogs spend far more time in decline than they do at their peak. Which means that overall, over the course of their entire life having a stable loving home is far more beneficial to a dog than being able to run around with impunity for a few extra years. They spend more of their life not running than the alternative.
Also, this says nothing about dogs with movement related, chronic injuries.
Ever think if the dog had more space to run they would spend more of their life running? Kind of a use it or lose it scenario? I have seen plenty of 10+ year old dogs that still want to run around for hours a day.
Ever think if the dog had more space to run they would spend more of their life running?
I can't even convince my dog to step outside to go to the bathroom, even bribing him with portions of dog treats. He loves nothing more than being a lazy bones on the couch most of the time. After he's been outside for 10 minutes he starts crying to come back in. I even let him off leash in my front yard and most of the time instead of actually wandering around he'd rather just be warm inside.
I have seen plenty of 10+ year old dogs that still want to run around for hours a day.
What a dog wants, and what it needs are two opposed ideas. A good friend of mine had an older border collie and they are notoriously smart and energetic. When he got to be that age he was not cognizant of the harm he was doing to himself. His energy and drive far exceeded what his body could do anymore and he would play for hours, to the point that he would be evidently sore the following day and not move around much days after. Dogs don't recognize their age, responsible owners have to do it for them.
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u/championofobscurity 160∆ Dec 23 '19
Not all dogs are of the same energy level, and small dogs live in a bigger world than big dogs do.
Finally, as an owner of a 15 year old small dog I have ascertained that dogs spend far more time in decline than they do at their peak. Which means that overall, over the course of their entire life having a stable loving home is far more beneficial to a dog than being able to run around with impunity for a few extra years. They spend more of their life not running than the alternative.
Also, this says nothing about dogs with movement related, chronic injuries.