• DVM360_Conference_Charlotte,NC_banner
  • ACVCACVC
  • DVM 360
  • Fetch DVM 360Fetch DVM 360
DVM 360
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
By Role
AssociatesOwnersPractice ManagerStudentsTechnicians
Subscriptions
dvm360 Newsletterdvm360 Magazine
News
All News
Association
Breaking News
Conference Coverage
Education
Equine
FDA
Law & Ethics
Market Trends
Medical
Politics
Products
Recalls
Regulatory
Digital Media
dvm360 LIVE!™
Expert Interviews
The Vet Blast Podcast
Medical World News
Pet Connections
The Dilemma Live
Vet Perspectives™
Weekly Newscast
dvm360 Insights™
Publications
All Publications
dvm360
Firstline
Supplements
Vetted
Clinical
All Clinical
Anesthesia
Animal Welfare
Behavior
Cardiology
CBD in Pets
Dentistry
Dermatology
Diabetes
Emergency & Critical Care
Endocrinology
Equine Medicine
Exotic Animal Medicine
Feline Medicine
Gastroenterology
Imaging
Infectious Diseases
Integrative Medicine
Nutrition
Oncology
Ophthalmology
Orthopedics
Pain Management
Parasitology
Pharmacy
Surgery
Toxicology
Urology & Nephrology
Virtual Care
Business
All Business
Business & Personal Finance
Hospital Design
Personnel Management
Practice Finances
Practice Operations
Wellbeing & Lifestyle
Continuing Education
Conferences
Conference Listing
Conference Proceedings
Resources
CBD in Pets
CE Requirements by State
Contests
Veterinary Heroes
Partners
Spotlight Series
Team Meeting in a Box
Toolkit
Top Recommended Veterinary Products
Vet to Vet
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Advertisement
By Role
  • Associates
  • Owners
  • Practice Manager
  • Students
  • Technicians
Subscriptions
  • dvm360 Newsletter
  • dvm360 Magazine
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us
  • MJHLS Brand Logo

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences™ and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Mind Over Miller: Why not strive for longevity?

January 1, 2013
Robert M. Miller, DVM

Dr. Robert M. Miller wonders why a long life span hasn't been included as a significant breeding factor.

I choke up every time I see a service dog showing the gray muzzle and the inhibited gait that comes with age. This is especially true when the dog is a guide dog for a person who is blind. I realize that the owner, whether a client or a stranger on the street, cannot see what I see—the signs of aging: the nuclear sclerosis in the old dog's eyes, the graying face, the slowing.

It is hard to completely understand the depth of the bond that must exist between such a dog and a human seriously dependent upon it. I never charged for veterinary services to guide dogs for the blind.

Many years ago, a leading dog magazine telephoned me. They said they wanted articles written by veterinarians for their publication. I asked what subject they wanted me to write about. They said it was up to me to decide.

After a lot of thought, I wrote an article about service dogs. I pointed out that dogs had been bred for many qualities throughout human history—for size, for color, for coat, for hunting ability, for herding ability, for intelligence—but that no breed had ever been selectively bred for an exceptionally long life span, for longevity.

Advertisement

I described the emotional impact an aging service dog had on me. I'd see a dog I thought was 10 or 12 years of age and sadly imagine how traumatic the loss of that dog would be in a couple of years. Dogs just don't have long enough life spans. Whenever I see Rosie in the photo at the bottom of this page, I long for her.

I suggested that some organization, perhaps a university, make a project of creating a new breed of working dog that would have a typical life span of 16 or 18 years.

Such a project would take at least half a century. Semen would need to be frozen to use many years in the future after longevity had been demonstrated by offspring. Perhaps frozen embryos could also be used.

Obviously, the dogs would have to be highly intelligent, docile, and eager to work. I suggested that perhaps the breeding program could begin by crossing breeds such as the border collie, golden retriever, and smooth collie. You'd want a good-sized dog with a not excessively thick coat and proper physical qualities.

The article was published in the magazine, which was largely devoted to show dogs and dog shows. But the magazine never received a comment on the article pro or con—nor did I.

I still think it was a great idea.

Robert M. Miller, DVM, is an author and a cartoonist, speaker and Veterinary Medicine Practitioner Advisory Board member. His thoughts in "Mind Over Miller" are drawn from 32 years as a mixed-animal practitioner. Visit his website at robertmmiller.com.

Dr. Robert M. Miller

Related Content:

Clinical
A practical approach to a fever of unknown origin
A practical approach to a fever of unknown origin
Tips and tricks for diagnosing canine osteoarthritis early
Tips and tricks for diagnosing canine osteoarthritis early
Performing surgery on dogs with GDV
Performing surgery on dogs with GDV

Advertisement

Latest News

San Francisco SPCA bestows $100k grant from San Francisco Foundation

Merck Animal Hospital renews scholarship with The Foundation for the Horse

3 Must-reads from Fetch Charlotte 2023

A practical approach to a fever of unknown origin

View More Latest News
Advertisement