The most painful thing about owning a great dog

What’s the most painful thing about owning a great dog?

The day you have to say good-bye forever, right?

Have your ever heard this?

Large dogs don’t live as long as small ones do.

When I was a child, I heard that once from an adult. I automatically believed it. After all, I was only a kid.

You might believe it, too.

It’s a pretty common statement.

The only problem is…

If that statement were true, large wild-born wolves living in captivity would not exist.

But they do.

You see, we have bought into a myth that large or giant animals are inherently less healthy than smaller versions.

But the facts don’t lie.

Large northern gray wolves can weigh from 100-140 lbs… extra-large to giant in size according to our domesticated dog criteria.

To this day, the world’s oldest wolf was a 19-year-old female wolf named Madadh. Madadh was rescued from a wildlife park when she was only 10 days old. Although, Human Ageing Genomic Resources reports, “One wild born male was around 20.6 years old when he died in captivity.”

And guess what?

Large wild-born wolves in zoos and preserves

live between 16-17 years old… on average!

…

Hmmm…

How can that be?

…

Of course, there are some pretty old domesticated dogs, too.

The oldest dog to ever live is named Bobi (born in May of 1992). He is a male purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo dog from Portugal.

On May 11th, 2023, Bobi turned THIRTY-ONE!

WOW!! That’s positively ancient!

But that’s FAR from the norm.

According to PetMD, the average lifespan for a domesticated dog is 10-13 years old.

Unfortunately, the reason for the prevalence of the “small dogs live longer then big dogs” myth is because we often observe this to be true.

When I was a child, my grandparents owned miniature poodles and schnauzers. They lived to be over 15 years old.

And…

Extra-large to giant dog breeds are notorious for passing on at almost half that timeframe.

Great Dane: Majestic but Short-Lived

The Great Dane, often referred to as the "gentle giant," is renowned for its imposing stature and friendly disposition. Unfortunately, their lifespan doesn't match their grandeur. On average, Great Danes live to be around 7 to 10 years old. One of the most common health issues affecting this breed is dilated cardiomyopathy (enlarged heart).

Irish Wolfhound: A Regal Legacy

Irish Wolfhounds, known for their noble bearing and remarkable size, are loved for their gentle nature. However, their lifespan is also limited. Typically, they live to be around 6 to 8 years old. My aunt breeds them and she has had to endure many moments of grief when her giant wolfhounds turn 5 or 6. An Irish Wolfhound is more likely than other dogs to have a liver disorder called portosystemic shunt (PSS). Some of the blood supply that should go to the liver goes around it instead, depriving the liver of the blood flow it needs to grow and function properly.

Bernese Mountain Dog: A Friend in Fur

Bernese Mountain Dogs are cherished for their affectionate nature and striking tri-color coat. These loyal companions generally live to be around 6 to 8 years old. They face their fair share of health issues, with cancer being a particularly common concern. One of the most common health issues associated with Bernese Mountain Dogs is Progressive Retinal Atrophy where the retina deteriorates leaving them blind. Hip and elbow dysplasia can also affect their quality of life.

The American Dirus Difference

The American Dirus dog is an extra-large to giant breed that distinguishes itself by actively addressing the lifespan conundrum.

We do not subscribe to the purebred way of breeding.

Nor do we believe in simply crossbreeding on two purebred dog breeds.

Instead, our founder went back to the old way of breeding… nature’s way.

Where dogs are brought together for the benefit of health and longevity before all else.

It is the very reason we work toward a wild look.

Nature’s way is always superior to man’s feeble attempts at playing God.  

Here are some of the ways we accomplish this:

1. Genetic Diversity: The American Dirus Project understands the importance of genetic diversity in combating health issues. Through periodic and systematic crossbreeding, we aim to improve genetic diversity while preserving breed type.
2. Inbreeding for Predictable Health: While genetic diversity is crucial, we also value predictable breed type. Our approach strikes a balance between genetic diversity and breed integrity.
3. High Owner Health Report Rate: We maintain a vibrant owner report rate for known health issues. This enables us to stay vigilant and proactive in addressing any emerging health concerns.
4. DNA Testing: All dogs born into the American Dirus Project undergo DNA testing. This helps identify potential genetic health issues early, allowing for informed breeding decisions.
5. Trial Mating: When it is necessary and prudent, we are not shy about breeding out health issues through a unnecessarily controversial process called “Trial Mating”.

While large and giant dog breeds are undeniably captivating, they all too often face health challenges that can shorten their lifespans.

The American Dirus Project takes a holistic approach to breeding, prioritizing genetic diversity, health monitoring, and sustainable breeding practices.

By doing so, we aim to provide not only beautiful and gentle giants but also healthier and longer lives for our beloved American Dirus dogs.

On this we do not compromise.

The very health and longevity of our dogs is at stake.

We MUST and WILL breed healthier, long-lived dogs.

There is NO excuse.

The large wild-born wolf living in safety at zoos and reserves is all the proof we need that it can be done.

The better we adhere to nature’s way of breeding in our human capacity, the longer our dogs will live healthy lives with wonderful families who love them.

If you are fascinated with exactly how we accomplish this, I wrote the Dire Wolf Project book explaining the science and art behind the breed’s development.

A must-read if you wish to be an informed owner of an American Dirus dog from the Dire Wolf Project.

Especially if you like science, but also if you want to read about the origin story and learn more about my work with my mother, the founder of the breed, Lois Schwarz.

Here’s the link to get the book:

https://www.amazon.com/Dire-Wolf-Project-Creating-Extraordinary/dp/1950333019

Jennifer Stoeckl is the co-founder of the Dire Wolf Project, founder of the DireWolf Guardians American Dirus Dog Training Program, and owner/operator of DireWolf Dogs of Vallecito. She lives in the beautiful inland northwest among the Ponderosa pine forests with her pack of American Dirus dogs.