Re: dogs


bob@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
Why do dogs have such short lives?

Dogs are at best a subspecies of Canis lupus, the Grey Wolf from which
they are gentically indistinguishable. Grey wolves have an average
lifespan, in the wild, of 6 to 8 years although they can double that in
captivity. Thus the average lifespan for the domestic dog seems to be
fairly consistant with what one could expect. Domestic dogs are often
plagued by the diseases of "civilisation" - bad nutrition and
insufficient exercise which undoubtedly contribute to some not living
as long as can be expected.

Eugene Griessel


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