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  1. #1
    House Broken ccetta's Avatar
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    At what age did you notice your dog slowing down?

    • Just curious. Lucy turned 7 in April. On her last vet visit I asked when she would be considered a senior dog. Vet said she is on the borderline. Lucy loves her daily walks and remains committed to keeping our property a squirrel & rabbit free zone! I am noticing that she is sleeping more & seems to get tired faster. The only thing that hasn't slowed down is her appetite! She is still a sweet girl, we are enjoying this phase & have no desire to return to her crazy puppy days.

  2. #2
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    Depends on the dog. Scully was probably about 7 or 8 when the arthritis in her elbows started slowing her down. Mulder was still competing in Obedience at 10, and didn’t act like an “old” dog until more like 12.

    Chloe just turned 8 and the rehab vet that did an evaluation on her (looking at an old injury) said she is in the shape of a 2 year old.
    Annette

    Cookie (HIT HC Jamrah's Legally Blonde, UDX, OM2, BN) 6/4/2015
    Sassy (HIT Jamrah's Blonde Ambition, UDX, OM2, BN) 6/4/2015

    Chloe (HIT HC OTCH Windsong's Femme Fatale, UDX4, OM6, RE) 6/7/2009

    And remembering:

    Scully (HC Coventry's Truth Is Out There, UD, TD, RN) 4/14/1996 - 6/30/2011
    Mulder (Coventry's I Want To Believe, UD, RN, WC) 5/26/1999 - 4/22/2015

    And our foster Jolie (Windsong's Genuine Risk, CDX) 5/26/1999 - 3/16/2014

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    ccetta (07-09-2017)

  4. #3
    Senior Dog MontananDakota's Avatar
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    Montana showed slight signs at about 8, and only I could notice it. About 1 1/2 yrs later we found out he had cancer. With Dakota she didn't start slowing down until this past year. She just turned 13. China will soon be 10 and so fRom she's not slowing down. She has some achey days but that is all.

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    ccetta (07-09-2017)

  6. #4
    Senior Dog voodoo's Avatar
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    my aunt who lives on a lake has always owned many black labs...they dont slow down til about 12 and they all have made it to 15 yrs old...I guess swimming 8 months a year helps your health...my chocolate lab seems like he slowed down the moment I moved from country to city life...like at age 3 lol.
    Amateur pet owner
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    Chili born 7/21/2013

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    ccetta (07-09-2017)

  8. #5
    Senior Dog labsnewfy's Avatar
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    I have noticed both my girls slowed way down last year, Sarah would have been 10 and Ginger 11, Ginger especially she sleeps a lot more now then she did before.
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    Coleman - CGC blk lab 6/02/97-2/25/08 adopted
    Tootsie - choc lab 10/19/99-8/03/13 adopted
    Bailey - CGC newf/fc 7/12/00-07/15/14 rescued
    Ginger - BT 11/16/05 - 10/14/19 rescued
    Sarah - blk lab 6/22/06 - 12/30/19 rescued
    rescued felines - AJ - 8/00 - 1/11, Merlin - 5/20/05-8/23/21
    Tucker - 8/3/10, Penny - 7/7/13, Toby - 6/14/21

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    ccetta (07-09-2017)

  10. #6
    Chief Pooper Scooper JenC's Avatar
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    They say 7 is the age and you should consider doing senior bloodwork at that time. My 2 oldest boys, Jack and Jed, are both 9 and they don't really strike me as seniors!

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    ccetta (07-09-2017)

  12. #7
    Senior Dog Berna's Avatar
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    Cookie slowed down when he was hit by a car at age 9. He had to undergo surgery for his dislocated hip and never fully recovered. He is still fairly active for his age but arthritis is really limiting what he can do now.
    Cookie Black Snowflake
    July 12th, 2006. - May 25th, 2023.

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  14. #8
    Best Friend Retriever outrag's Avatar
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    Tanner lived a pretty full life of activity. Started slowing a bit, especially on steps probably around 10ish. Still went on regular lengthy walks and swimming well into his 12th year. He went downhill fast at 12 1/2 due to a host of issues.

    Yukon was in incredible shape his whole life but unfortunately started having some hind end degeneration and C-spine issues late into his 9th year. The neck issue is stabilized but the weak hind end precludes me from doing lengthy walks and heavy activity like we used to.

    I believe if there is not an underlying illness, these dogs can go strong into double digits with regular exercise, good diet etc. Unfortunately so many of our dogs are faced with some medical condition, which accelerates a slow down that otherwise wouldn't happen until later.

    Bob
    Griffin growing up!

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    Griffin Male Black Lab 03/14/16 -

    Yukon My Wonderful Yellow Lab 11/20/06 - 03/12/19 Will cherish the memories!!!!
    My Precious Tanner Boy 11/25/02 - 6/25/15 Will miss you always!!!!

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  16. #9
    Senior Dog voodoo's Avatar
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    oh...I should add I neutered chili at 3...he slowed down alot after neuter...but let me clarify I mean he just doesnt have that puppy/teenager energy anymore...he still very healthy, plays couple hrs a day plus daily 45min walk. dont want to seem like my chili all gimped up or anything
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    Chili born 7/21/2013

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    ccetta (07-09-2017)

  18. #10
    Senior Dog Jeff's Avatar
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    I started noticing little things this year. For Hemi at age 6 just about. He no longer takes the steps up to the deck from the yard 2 or 3 at a time all the time. probably 25% of time like early morning or late at night he walks up them like a normal person would rather than crazy man. Little more huffing and puffing after a bout of the butt tucking zoomies. He enjoys sleeping in a little more I have actually been able to sleep in to 9:30 on the weekends sometimes this year. Of course though the prior day needs to be prety active but he is not so quick to get out of bed and repeat it as early as he used to. When he was 2 it was 7 a.m. Saturday morning come on dad time to get moving I got places to go and people to see.

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    ccetta (07-09-2017)

 



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