Depends on the dog. Boxers for instance reach a certain (relatively young, for most dogs) age and just... break down, at a genetic level. Cancer everywhere.

[–] miked@piefed.social 7 points 6 days ago (1 children)

My sister is on her third boxer. I don't know how she does it considering they rarely make it past ten years.

[–] leftzero@lemmy.dbzer0.com 5 points 6 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago)

Ten years is fantastic for a boxer (and probably a fortune in vet visits); if I recall correctly they start breaking down at around 6 or 7 years old.

It's tragic, because other than that they're great dogs for children.