My boy is 11 now and he's slowing down a bit...

[akaemmafrost]

He is a minature schnauzer and seems happy enough, still does the long walks and keeps up well. I just notice he sleeps much more than he used to and is a lot more tired after the walks.

Do terriers and small dogs live longer on average? Should I start taking him to the vet for check ups? Any ideas on maximising his quality of life as long as possible. He's my best friend, I am a lone parent and I can't imagine life without him. Just had a few comments about how he is "getting on a bit now isn't he?" which make me so .

So just looking to get my worries of my chest really. Thanks.

At eleven he is just at the start of his old age! So try not to worry too much, but its worth taking him for a check up. It may be they find something which needs some attention and the earlier you get it the better, or it may be they put your mind at rest. They will definitely not want to give up on him. On average I would hope a schnauzer would live to 14 or 15. Good luck xx

Oh thank you! I read that about up to 15 years but it seemed too good to be true. He's such a lovely boy, so good with my kids when they were babies, I can't believe he is 11. It went so fast. I will take him to the vet next week and get him the once over. He is still really agile, just kept up on the sofa, it was just the fact he is sleeping so much more made me think about his age etc. thanks for replying.

Lept not kept!

Leapt fgs! Bloody I phone

slight hijack - my dog is same age - can anyone recommend any vitamins or supplements that helped their dog with mobility etc ?

duffy i have put my 11 year old on seraquin for his joints. have a look on amazon as that is the cheapest place to get it, and you can read all about it there. will get those joints nice and supple and not a huge expense.

At 11 they're no longer a puppy! It's important to check that their diet is suitable for their age and that all the flea/worming is up-to-date. Dogs can have a blood test to see if they would suit supplements. There are so many arguements about diet and I have been given blatantly conflicting advice. Some people say that it is better to give food which is already full of extra bits and others say it is better to supplement your dog to its own needs. If you are going to change diet, do it gradually.

My baby old Staffie is 9 or 10 now and he's getting more and more lumpy

Let him go at his own pace & don't force him to do longer walks than he wants.
Little terriers do tend to be long lived.
If it cheers you any I've owned lots of Cairns most of which lived to 17 or 18. Two made it to a couple of weeks short of being 20.

Oldies get lots of lumps that are not serious, just fatty limpomas.