No, because even if a breed I was interested in only lived for 8+ or so years I would still make them the best years of the dogs life! Enjoying the time we had together, enriching each others lives, enjoying the good times and the bad as part of the relationship and the bond that ties us...

Yes for me. I find it devastating to lose a best friend so much so that I want the odds of having them around for as long as possible to be favourable

However, on saying that, if I happened across a dog in need and my circumstances were right to take on a dog, then, no doubt, the last consideration would be lifespan

It's certainly something I consider when looking at breeds. I'd love to own a giant breed at some point, but breeds like the Irish Wolfhound seem to have poor health and a short lifespan. That's partly why I've swayed towards the Anatolian Shepherd - they're big, but seem much healthier and therefore longer lived.

Definitely! As well as not wanting the loss of a dog at a younger age than average the shorter aged breeds can often have expensive health problems.

Health, in respect of genetically inherited diseases, also plays a major part in my decision making process. Apart from the expense, it's more the emotional toil of seeing a friend suffer day in-day out.

Like I said earlier, I like to stack the odds in my, and more importantly, the dog's favour

I never have worried about that but thats probably because I've always had rescues or crossbreeds. But If I was looking to buy a puppy, I would probably not go for those breeds known to have a short lifespan.

I have a friend with Bernese. It seems they`re no sooner grown up than they`re old. I wouldn`t have that breed.

Sort of... the English Setter has a life expectancy of around 12 years, one of mine died just before she was nine years, the other days before her eleventh birthday...

Now I like really big dogs and have always had a hankering for a St Bernard and a Newfoundland, but the short life expectancy does put me off a little... plus my house is far too small!!

Originally I thought no, I don't. But then I remembered that there are a couple of giant breed dogs I would love to have but couldn't handle to heartache of losing them young. So I guess I do!

yes because i like alot of breeds but i couldnt bare to loose a dog really early. i havent yet had the heartbreak of losing a dog, as my two are only 2 and a half and 7 months, and our family cross breed is still going at 12. i like danes but the age puts me off. and also bulldogs because i think when they are being sold for £1500 plus and then have a lifespan of 7 years average and health problems that they have along the way i couldnt do it to myself.

cresteds have got a good lifespan on them and for my next dog id want a reasonable ammount of years with them, flatcoats either live for years or seem unfortunately to get cancer at around 7 and 8. not sure about the weimaraners lifespan, or mals or huskys?