Size of dog matters - smaller dogs live longer than larger ones.

I had a boxer that lived to age 16 and one that lived to 77. One was my dog, one was my dad. You'll have to figure out which was which. :-)

Jodi-

We had a Alaskan Husky mix live to almost 17 years. He had arthritis, but our vet would give him a shot every month that race horses get for it. Would last almost the month. Kept him going much longer than usual for a large dog. Other dog we lost earlier to cancer. No dog now, just my DD's.

Jamie, it sounds like your old girl is doing really well. I don't think it is unusual for a well cared for small dog to live to 17-18 these days, some even a bit longer. I have read that the longest-living dogs are neutered females. Phoenix, our old girl, is a larger mixed breed. We're guessing she is around 16 -- she was fully grown and had welped at least one litter of pups when we found her, abandoned and starving in the woods, 14 years ago last fall. She is feeble and arthritic (takes Remadyl and glucosamine for her joints) and I know we don't have much time left. But for the time being, she still has a wagging tail, enjoys treats, and roughhouses with the pup, so her quality of life is good and she is happy. We have a doggie door opening to a back porch and last summer DH buit her a ramp to make it easier -- she loves it! Her teeth are great and she eats dry food most of the time too. She also has had catarats for several years now, but can still see fairly well and the Vet said that the cateracts are not bad enough to consider removing.

We had a beagle that lived until he was 21 or 22. We eventually put him asleep because he started having problems walking and getting up. Almost all of our pets have lived very long lives - with the exception of pet reptiles. Growing up I had a few (frogs, agama, iguanas) and they were all well taken care of but didn't live as long as I would have liked. Too tricky to take care of...

Our Chow lived to be 16. I still miss him!

I love chows! We have a chow mix now and he's probably the best little guy I've ever had. They're such fuzzy little lovebug teddy bears! LOL!

We had a fantastic Chow/mix (my beloved Shadow) who showed up at our house when he was about 3 months old and made it to almost 17. He was blind and deaf, but still "protecting" us. He would tear through the yard barking when a vulture would fly over, or a jet. I guess he could smell the vulture and feel the vibration of the jet? He was a GREAT dog.

I love hearing of all the dogs that lived to be older and still healthy. That's the first time I've ever heard of a dog living to be 21!!

Jamie - I remember going to the SPCA with my Mom when I was in elementary school and she adopted our beagle, Hansel. We always had pets growing up as well as several beagles. All rescues, of course. That little dog had a lot of attitude - never listened and was spoiled rotten with vanilla ice cream cones from Thrifty's when they were still around. He started having back problems and had problems getting out of the door fast enough to use the bathroom so my Mom put him asleep. He had a very long life - there was no way she would prolong his suffering, but he was a very good dog.

I've never had a dog or cat get to twenty. I've heard G*d uses pets to teach us about absolute unconditional love.

My springer lived to be almost 16. She was almost blind and deaf but managed fine. The end came when she became incontinent. I made arrangements to put her down on a Friday and she stopped eating and drinking on Thursday. I guess she knew it was time as well.