Aging dogs

[Marty]

I am just pondering this, because I think Winnie is beautiful no matter what.

She was at the Vet's for fluids today, and this lady came up to give her some pats, and commented that she had never seen a Basset with so much white. I told her it was because of her age of 12 1/2, and she said "oh, don't they usually live this long?" She then proceeded to tell me about the beautiful coloring on her neighbor's Basset. The receptionist was looking at me probably praying I wouldn't blow up...maybe I should put a pic of Winnie pup in my wallet.

So why is it that some breeds show their age, and others don't?

[k9Karen]

I'm not sure, but all people age differently than others, so why not dogs? All of my shelties have turned white around the muzzle. Angel's entire face is now white, so she has grayed even more than the others did. Since Allie is mostly white, I can't see any graying in her yet, but I'm sure it's started. I don't know if you remember the last picture I posted of Mickey - he was definitely showing his age in that one, much more than Angel is because she doesn't have the skin problems that made him look so pathetic. It does seem that hounds gray rather quickly, as do labs - you can really see it in the black labs. I think the perception of age has much to do with the appearance of the gray/white hairs, just like in humans, and the gray will be much more apparent in darker coats. Heredity must have something to do with it too, as well as nutrition and health. Just some thoughts.