OzOne wrote in message ...
On Sat, 22 Apr 2006 11:20:49 -0400, "Bart Senior" .@. scribbled
thusly:

Sorry to hear it Oz. I lost my buddy after 16 years of
companionship. I haven't gotten a new dog yet. It's been
five years and I'm just about ready to get another one.

16 years!
Wow, what was he?
Best I've had was 12 and again, it was a quick end with cancer,
probably the most common killer of the breed.

I know how you feel, 5 years is about what it takes me too.

I said after the last one "never again" but my kids needed to grow up
with a dog.
This time...well, never again....

The general rule is that the larger the breed the shorter the lifespan. Of
course there are exceptions, but Irish Wolfhounds live about 6-8 years while
it's not uncommon for small terriers and miniature breeds to live well into
the teens. Our two golden retrievers lived to ages 11 and 13 respectively.
A friend's miniature dachshund lived to 18.

Max