If your dog has this color, he could live longer

Emily CappielloOctober 24

Some dogs live longer than others and the genetic reason will surprise you.

clear norman / ShutterstockIf you have a dog, chances are you will agree that they are more than just pets – they are part of the family. Keeping your fur as long as possible is a priority, so take note: you could give your dog all the right foods, give him the proper amount of physical exercise and smother him with love and d & rsquo; Affection, and he still can not live as long as you like. And the secret of his longevity can be related to the color of his coat.

A new study from the University of Sydney on Labrador Retraders found that chocolate breeds did not live as long as their yellow and black counterparts. The reason is, said Professor Paul McGreevy, senior author of the University's Faculty of Science, recessive genes.

"The relationship between coat color and disease may reflect an unintended consequence of breeding some pigmentations," he told Science Daily. "Since the color of chocolate is recessive in dogs, the gene of this color must be present in both parents for their puppy to be chocolate. Breeders targeting this color may therefore be more likely to breed than Labradors carrying the chocolate coat gene. "

According to the study of Labradors living in the UK and currently being replicated in Australia, the median longevity of non-chocolate Labradors is 12.1 years, more than 10% more than those wearing a chocolate coat . The researchers tested more than 33,000 Labradors in the UK in conjunction with the VetCompbad program of the university. In addition to their lifespan, chocolate labradors are also more likely to suffer from health problems, such as ear infections and skin diseases.

Regardless of the color of your Labrador, the researchers noted that many of these dogs tend to be overweight, regardless of their color. So you can do anything to keep your four-legged friend as healthy as possible for as long as possible: watch his diet to prevent obesity. And beware of this type of food that could cause heart disease to your puppy. Here are the signs to watch for your dog to be sick.

Some labs may be prone to health problems, but one of the best is that it is one of the smartest dogs. Here are the most intelligent, ranked dog breeds.

Here are some other incredible features that your fur-ball friend has: to prove that he is much cooler than us humans.