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In reply to the discussion: We’re Breeding Dogs to Death [View all]femmocrat
(28,394 posts)I was searching for an article I recently read about why Golden Retrievers life-span is shrinking. I couldn't find that article, but this one is also interesting:
"Cancer is all too common in dogs, especially golden retrievers: 60% of them die of it, more than twice the average rate for all breeds."
http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704342604575222062208235690
The article does say that mixed breed dogs are just as prone to cancers as purebred, though:
"Are mutts and crossbreeds less prone to cancer? Not necessarily, several experts say. Some studies that have compared purebreds in general to mixed breeds find about a 10% increase in lifespan for comparably sized mixed-breed dogs. But there's no predicting what traits, and health problems, could show up, and no one is keeping statistics."