I have had lots of dog owners asking me the average life Span of Patterdale dog breeds. Well, this article is for you if you wish to know Patterdale Terrier Life Expectancy.
This article has listed some factors you need to avoid so that your Patterdale Terrier can live long, such as feeding him the right food, avoiding the roadside, and watching his weight.
- An Overview of Patterdale
- How Long Do Patterdale Terrier Live - Patterdale Terrier Lifespan
- How to Help Your Patterdale Terrier To Live Longer
- What are the factors that can affect the life expectancy of a Patterdale?
- Foods That Can Shorten The Life Span of Patterdale Terrier
- Accidents Can Also Play A Role In Patterdale Life Expectancy
An Overview of Patterdale
Patterdales are small, stocky, working dogs that hail from the Lake District of England. They are bred for their working abilities and make excellent pets or service animals.
Patterdales are a versatile breed that can be used for a variety of purposes, including hunting, tracking, and obedience work. They are also known for being good with children and makes loyal, loving companions.
If you are looking for a versatile, hardworking dog that will be a loyal friend and family member, then the Patterdale may be the breed for you. So, How Long do Patterdale Terriers Live?
How Long Do Patterdale Terrier Live – Patterdale Terrier Lifespan
This has really come about because the Patterdale Terrier is such a small breed, and therefore some people assume they won’t live very long.
While this may be true of very old dogs, the average Patterdale Terrier lifespan is 13 years, But some may live up to 20 years with proper nutrition and care. That’s pretty impressive for a dog that stands just 10-15 inches tall and weighs in at 10-13 pounds.
It is important to remember that no matter how big or small the dog breed is, some will always not reach their potential age and pass away too young.
That said, Patterdales tend to have a fairly short lifespan compared to some other breeds of terrier – but we must consider its height too.
The male Patterdale Terriers height comes up around 32 cm (12 to 14 inches) at shoulder height, while the females are around 28cm (11 inches) at shoulder height.
For this reason alone, we must consider the potential ‘danger zone’ for Patterdales and other breeds of smaller sizes between 5 and 9 inches high.
This means that they can fall prey to many potentially fatal and debilitating conditions and illnesses such as:
- slipped stifle
- pancreatic insufficiency
- luxating patella
- heart disease
- eye problems
The majority of these conditions are genetic, so your Patterdale’s family history will play a key role in determining his lifespan.
How to Help Your Patterdale Terrier To Live Longer
We hope to see your Patterdale Terriers reach the ripe old age of 13 years and above with proper care and attention.
However, there are a few things you can do to give your Patterdale dog breed that extra bit of help. Your Patterdale Terrier Life Span can get to the maximum if you adhere this advise below.
1. Feed the right diet
– A good quality, well-balanced dry food is generally sufficient for everyday feeding; however, if your Patterdale Terrier seems to be fussy with his meals, you might need to try different types until you find one he likes.
You could also ask your vet or breeder for advice on which brand they would recommend and what quantity to feed him daily (he will only need around 100g whole).
– Also, make sure never to feed your Patterdale puppy any cooked chicken or eggs; this is because these foods are easily digestible and contain no goodness. They may also cause your Patterdale puppy to develop allergies in later life.
2. Keep him at a healthy weight
I know it sounds obvious, but sometimes owners are tempted to overfeed their Patterdale Terriers, thinking they might be hungry!
Your Patterdale may also overeat when he becomes bored or lonely, so make sure you provide lots of toys for him to play with while you are out of the house.
3. Exercise your Patterdale regularly
Keeping your pet active helps keep his mind occupied and stops pent-up energy from turning into destructive behaviour, which can lead to loss of sleep at night for both you and your Patterdale.
As well as regular exercise, stimulants such as agility and obedience training can also help keep your pooch fit and healthy.
4. Prevent obesity.
Make sure you monitor your dog’s waistline so he doesn’t develop weight problems later in life, as it could lead to diabetes or other diseases which will shorten his lifespan dramatically.
It may be a good idea to consult with your vet about the ideal weight for your Patterdale terrier – just remember that small dogs need less food than large breeds!
5. Visit the vet regularly
Your Patterdale Terriers’ lifespan is largely dependant on how conscientious you are at taking him to see the veterinarian for preventive treatment at the recommended intervals.
Due to their small size, Patterdale Terriers can sometimes be very sensitive and may become stressed during a trip to the Vets, so if you are experiencing problems, it may be a good idea to find a local Veterinary Nurse who can come out to your home for a routine check-up at your convenience.
Always inform your vet immediately of any changes in behavior or appearance, as this could indicate an underlying medical condition that needs treatment immediately.
6. Treat him well
Your Patterdale dog breed is happiest when he feels loved and wanted by his family; make sure you give him plenty of love and affection throughout his lifetime!
Patterdale Terriers respond particularly well with positive training methods so that you can have lots of fun together training for agility.
Make sure you are always gentle with your Patterdale and use his name when giving him commands, as this will help establish trust between him and you.
7. Take him to the vet immediately if he shows any signs of illness.
As I mentioned earlier (‘How to Help Your Patterdale Terrier To Live Longer’), your pet must receive prompt veterinary treatment whenever he falls ill or gets injured.
Your dog’s lifespan is largely dependant on how well he responds to treatment for such conditions, such as arthritis or obesity.
8. Be aware of his health problems
It is important that we fully understand the most common health problems in our Patterdale terriers so that we can look out for them if they should occur.
Patterdales are particularly vulnerable to joint problems, which can be diagnosed early by regular Vet checks.
The most common health problems associated with the dog breeds short faces include respiratory complications due to their flattened nose.
Surgical alterations are sometimes necessary when treating these medical conditions to increase the longevity of your pet’s life.
9. Make sure you maintain his dental hygiene.
Most small dogs, including the Patterdale Terrier, often have crooked teeth, making it difficult for them to clean their mouths effectively.
This means special attention needs to be paid to his teeth and gums regularly to avoid gum disease, which leads to halitosis and serious dental complications.
10. Watch out for any warning signs
Your Patterdale will constantly monitor your behavior and emotions, so if he senses you feel depressed, he will also become unhappy.
Try to keep him busy with new toys throughout his lifetime, play games together, and take the opportunity of training him in an activity such as agility or flyball where he can burn off that excess energy!
Feeding your pet the correct quantity of food that matches their energy requirements is vital for maintaining good health.
11. Keep up his vaccinations
Due to advances in medicine, the life expectancy of dogs has increased significantly in recent years.
Still, your Patterdale terrier must receive all the necessary jabs designed to protect him from any serious diseases throughout his life.
12. Take care during hot weather
Due to their anatomical structure, Patterdales can cope with cold winter conditions very well compared to other breeds with longer snouts.
But every dog needs to be looked after carefully during periods of intense heat when they are particularly vulnerable due to their short muzzles.
Always provide shade and plenty of cool drinking water when you take him for a walk in the sun (if he likes swimming!)
If your pet is outdoors in direct sunlight, always make sure he is wearing some form of protection, such as a doggy suncream.
13. Always be there for your dog
The lifespan of Patterdale Terriers is often shorter than other breeds due to their tendency to suffer from health problems, so you must always be there for him if he needs you.
If you take on the responsibility of owning one of these wonderful dogs, don’t forget about all the love and affection they give out and return it in full!
You will become your pet’s ‘main man’ or ‘mum,’ which means he will never want to leave your side, so make sure you provide him with lots of company throughout his life!
14. Avoid strenuous exercise when he is getting old
Make sure he has regular walks or goes swimming to exercise those muscles and burn off those calories; just don’t overdo it, as this can lead to serious joint problems later in life!
Handling your puppy with care is very important as they are delicate during their teenage growth spurt phase.
15. Know the signs of heatstroke
Always make sure you closely monitor your Patterdale when they are in a warm location or when they have been exercising very hard.
It’s important to know the signs of heatstroke so you can react quickly if it does happen, but simple things such as providing him with lots of cold water and shade from direct sunlight will help.
16. Be aware that some illnesses may shorten his lifespan
You need to be aware that some conditions or illnesses carried by your Patterdale could reduce its’ lifespan, e.g., epilepsy, collapsed trachea, eye problems, etc., so always discuss health concerns with your vet at an early stage for effective treatment and management!
If you notice any worrying symptoms, make sure he immediately gets appropriate veterinary attention!
Read Also:
What are the factors that can affect the life expectancy of a Patterdale?
Some factors that can affect the life expectancy of a Patterdale are environment, accident, and genetics (Health problems).
1. Environment
Environment plays a significant role in how long a Patterdale will live. If they live in an area with a lot of pollution, their life expectancy will be shorter than if they live in a clean environment.
2. Accidents
Accidents also play a role in the life expectancy of a Patterdale. If they constantly get into fights or are injured, their life expectancy will be shorter.
Also, the lifespan of your Patterdale can be shortened if it’s hit by a moving vehicle, bike, or fall from a height.
Patterdales that have suffered a traumatic injury may never fully recover and could die prematurely as a result.
3. Genetics (Health problems)
Some health conditions are passed down from the parents and can affect the life expectancy of a Patterdale. These conditions can include heart disease, obesity, liver disease, and diabetes.
If your dog has one of these conditions, it may not live as long as a dog with no health problems.
As you can see, many factors can affect the life expectancy of a Patterdale. By being aware of these factors, you can take steps to help your dog live a long and healthy life.
Foods That Can Shorten The Life Span of Patterdale Terrier
There are some foods you should avoid giving your Patterdale Terrier, such as:
- Soy
- Chocolate (This also goes for other dark chocolates, raisins, and grapes)
- Onions
- Mustard seeds
- Macadamia nuts
- Coffee
- Alcoholic drinks and beer
Accidents Can Also Play A Role In Patterdale Life Expectancy
Accidents and Injuries Can also limit the lifespan of your Patterdale Terrier. Accidents and injuries in Patterdale Terriers can be caused by:
- Accidents or falls when playing with children
- Falling from a height because of an illness such as arthritis
- Overheating due to strenuous exercise in high temperatures
- Injuring themselves while running around at home if they get their foot stuck somewhere, e.g., a piece of wood sticking out from the carpet
- Getting an infection after being bitten by another animal or while playing with another dog
- Being run over when left outside if they are unable to get away from vehicles
We hope you enjoyed our article. This article has listed some factors you can avoid and prevent to enable your furry companion to live longer.
