Unfortunately, your dog ages too

The aging dog.

Unlike humans, dogs are unaware that they are ageing, yet from the moment they are born, the inexorable process leading to death begins.
We can see that, like his master, he benefits from a better existence than before, both in terms of living conditions and advances in veterinary medicine, and that generally speaking, he lives longer than before.

The ravages of time

If average life expectancy has increased considerably over the last hundred years, it's not because we've found a miracle product, but because we're better able to combat the effects of aging. It all depends on genetics and environment.
In dogs, there's also a notion of individual size, and very large breeds are less likely to reach an advanced age than smaller ones. Working dogs also suffer more than apartment dogs, especially if they undergo regular intensive training.
To keep a dog in good health for longer, he should avoid violent exertion that wears him out, disabling pathological conditions and external causes of aging.
As a dog begins to age, the variations between ages will depend on the animal's size, ranging from 7 years for a large dog to 9 years for a small dog. Changes will appear progressively and vary from one individual to another, depending on their genetic code, past history (stress or pathological conditions), constitution, etc.

Senses

Sight is impaired, and cataracts are common.
Hearing is impaired by the loss of sensory cells.
Olfaction is best preserved, despite atrophy of the mucous membrane, and it is common to see tracking dogs, with an average age of 10 years, competing at the highest level.
The need for calm increases, and he now avoids sustained effort, restricting his activity.
The head becomes more angular and white hairs appear around the muzzle.

Teeth are missing and dentition degenerates.
The skin thickens and the coat becomes dull and floppy.
The neck becomes stronger and muscle tone diminishes.
The mouth can be nauseating, as teeth and gums are affected.
Skeletal, digestive, urinary, respiratory, cardiovascular and nervous system damage inevitably follows.
Obesity threatens to set in as the dog becomes less active, especially if the owner fails to reduce the daily food intake.

The owner becomes even more responsible for his dog than before.

He needs to know how to accompany him in his old age with affection and appropriate care.
Seek veterinary advice to provide a healthy diet and, if necessary, vitamin supplements to make up for physiological deficiencies.
Remember to have your dog vaccinated, as older dogs have little immunity to disease.
In summer, remove ticks with an effective anti-parasite collar and a spray of an active product.
Provide him with physical exercise according to his abilities.
Be patient with him if he moves slowly on walks or suddenly wakes up in the middle of the night moaning.
Death is inevitable, so let's make it as gentle as possible - we owe him that much.

Life expectancy (average)

Large breeds 9 to 11 years
Medium breeds 10 to 12 years
Small breeds 12 to 15 years

A bitch's sexual activity

Is a natural phenomenon that will only be interrupted by the animal's death; menopause does not exist in bitches. The absence of regular hunting may be a sign of ovarian dysfunction, and a gynecological and hormonal examination by a veterinarian is recommended in the event of prolonged genital silence.
Bitches over 7 years of age should not be bred to reduce the risk of mammary cysts and tumors, and to avoid abnormal puppies.

Male sexual activity

Testicular tumors are common in males.

Older dogs Beware of danger!

If he drinks too much and urinates a lot
Frequent vomiting
Loss of appetite and weight loss
Wounds that won't heal
Difficulty urinating or defecating
Difficulty breathing
Bleeding from the nose, mouth, rectum, etc.
Frequent coughing.