All dog owners want their dogs to live a long and happy life. But, unfortunately, like any other living creature, dogs have an expected lifespan, and you have to say goodbye one day or another.
But the good thing is there are certain dog breeds that have a longer life expectancy compared to the other breeds. So it gives you a chance to spend more years with your furry friend.
Generally, small-sized dogs have a longer lifespan. But size is not the only factor that determines the age of a dog. Nutrition, care, exercise, and vet checkups are the other common factors that affect a dog’s lifespan.
Which Dogs Live the Longest?
Below are the popular breeds of dogs that tend to live longer.
Toy Poodle
Average life expectancy: 16 years
Toy poodles are one of the most intelligent and energetic dog breeds. They have a lively character and are easy to train. They are thought to be French in origin, but they are actually from Germany.
This breed is an ancient dog breed that dates back to 2,000 years.
Toy Poodles can reach up to 10 inches in heath and usually weigh 4 to 6 pounds. They have a distinctive coat that does not shed much but still requires maintenances because of their nature of growing fast.
Toy Poodles are considered good family dogs. They are proud and friendly around children.
Toy Poodles generally live a longer life compared to some larger breeds. Their expected lifespan is 12 to 18 years. The common health issues in Toy Poodles are watery eyes, joint pain, and skin problems.
Shih Tzu
Average life expectancy: 15 years
It is one of the small breeds with a lush double hair coat that exists in many colors. In addition, it has a confident and courageous demeanor which makes it one of the favorite breeds among humans.
An average Shih Tzu can grow 8 to 11 inches in height and can have 9 to 16 pounds total body weight. However, because of its long coat that grows continuously, its owner has to groom the coat routinely.
It doesn’t shed much, which makes it a hypoallergenic dog breed. And when trained well, it can make a great companion and family addition.
Shih Tzu is a long living dog breed and has an expected lifespan of 10 to 16 years. However, old dogs may develop joint issues and eye problems.
Dachshund
Average life expectancy: 14 years
Another breed of small dog that has a long life expectancy is Dachshund (also known as a Sausage Dog). You can commonly find a 15-year-old or older Dachshund.
Chanel is a Dachshund that created a World Guinness Record for being the oldest dog of its breed. She died at the age of 21.
An adult Dachshund can grow up to 8 to 9 inches in height. Their weight varies from 16 to 32 pounds. They are friendly and energetic creatures that require less maintenance.
These elongated dogs are also referred to as hotdogs.
The average life expectancy of a Dachshund is 12 to 16 years. However, with age, they may develop health problems like obesity, back pain, etc.
Australian Cattle Dog
Average life expectancy: 14 years
It is one of the few large dogs that have a long life expectancy.
In the dog’s history, the oldest dog that lived the longest was an Australian Cattle dog. Its name was Bluey, and it died at the age of 29.
Australian Cattle dogs have an average height of 17 to 20 inches. And their weight can vary from 35 to 50 pounds. They are considered very hard working and were used to work as herding dogs on the farms.
Even though you do not own a farm to utilize their energy, you can still make them perform different tasks.
Australian Cattle Dogs can live up to 16 years. However, retinal atrophy and canine hip dysplasia are the common health issues of this dog breed.
Jack Russell Terrier
Average life expectancy: 15 years
Jack Russell Terrier is another dog breed of smaller dogs with a long life expectancy. They have a solid build and like adventures. Historically, they were mostly bred to perform various tasks, particularly hunting.
They can be one foot tall and weigh from 13 to 17 pounds. But one should not get fooled by their small size.
They have a lot of stamina, and keeping them engaged in different activities can be difficult for novice dog owners. In addition, their coat does not shed much, so they require only minimal maintenance or grooming.
The life expectancy of this breed is 13 to 18 years. The common health problems that they may develop include eye problems, ataxia issues, and joint pain.
Chihuahua
Average life expectancy: 15 years
Chihuahua is one of the smallest breeds that have a petite appearance, yet it is very energetic and bold. Even though they are tiny, they require lots of exercise to utilize their energy and maintain their health.
They can reach only 8 inches in height, and their average height also varies from 5 to 6 pounds.
Chihuahuas love getting attention and make an amazing family dog. It has a unique personality. Its wide eyes and large ears also make it very distinctive.
On average, Chihuahua can live for up to 15 years, but finding a 20-year-old Chihuahua around you is no exception.
They generally have good health but can develop health issues like heart and eye diseases with age.
Maltese
Average life expectancy: 15 years
Maltase is a cute joyful breed of dogs that enjoy staying in human company. This lapdog is suitable for families living in small apartments and houses.
Maltase dogs are very friendly and affectionate. However, they may develop separation anxiety if they are separated from their owners for a longer period.
They can reach a maximum of 10 inches in height and can weigh from 4 to 7 pounds.
Maltase dogs have a soft wavy coat that requires regular maintenance.
As they are lap dogs, they do not have much exercise needs.
The common lifespan of a dog of this breed is 15 years. They are generally healthy but can have a hereditary disease like collapsing trachea etc.
Beagle
Average life expectancy: 13 years
Dogs of this breed are super energetic and keep their owners entertained. They have an amazing sense of smell and can find any sort of food easily.
So, you will need to be careful to protect your food and do not overfeed them.
Their height can reach 13 to 15 inches, and their weight can be 20 pounds maximum. They are popularly used as hunting dogs.
Beagles are energetic, but they are still easygoing. They enjoy solving puzzles and playing different games.
They are kid-friendly and can make a good addition to a family that already has pets. Beagles are an extremely loyal breed of small dogs.
Their average life expectancy is 12 to 15 years. Epilepsy, cherry eye, and joint problems are their common health issues.
Shetland Sheepdog
Average life expectancy: 13 years
Shetland Sheepdogs have a long straight hair coat that gives them a very glamorous appearance. They have a sharp mind which makes them easy to train. They are also a working breed.
Shetland Sheepdogs are 13 to 16 inches in height. As the name suggests, they were bred to use in farms to protect sheep. They are very intelligent, due to which they require only a little practice to learn various skills.
Shetland Sheepdogs are also very obedient, which makes them very suitable for large families having kids.
The average lifespan of Shetland Sheepdogs is 12 to 13 years. They are healthy but can have heredity eye diseases and hip dysplasia.
Pug
Average life expectancy: 14 years
Pugs are one of the longest-living breeds. They are popularly known for their funny face that is mainly due to their flat snout and big eyes.
Pugs are toy dogs and are very popular in the United States. Their short glossy hair coat does not require much maintenance. The average of an adult pug can vary from 10 to 13 inches. Their weight can reach up to 18 pounds.
They have a long lifespan that ranges from 13 to 15 years, so be ready to enjoy their company for a longer period.
Additional Dog Breeds with Longer Lifespans
Aside from the dog breeds already mentioned, there are a few other common breeds that have longer life expectancies.
- Lhasa Apso: Lhasa Apsos have an average life span of 13 years
- Yorkshire Terrier: Yorkshire Terriers have an average life span of 15 years
- Australian Shepherd: Australian Shepherds have an average life span of 14 years
- Cocker Spaniel: Cocker Spaniels have an average life span of 13 years
Factors That Can Affect A Dog’s Life Expectancy
The life expectancy of dogs depends on several factors. You can improve the life expectance of even the longest living dog breeds by maintaining their healthy diet, active lifestyle, etc. Keep the factors described below to help your furry friend live a long healthy life.
Breed and Genetics
Some dog breeds are more prone to health conditions and develop them in their adulthood. As a result, it reduces their life expectancy.
Poor breeding can also cause the transfer of life-threatening conditions from one generation to the other.
Diet and Nutrition
Feeding species-appropriate and fresh food to your pet are important for maintaining its health. Pets that have a poor diet also have a poor immune system, due to which they can develop diseases even when they are young.
So, give your pet the right food and plenty of water to help him live a healthy, happy, and long life.
Exercise and Activeness
Physical and mental exercise is crucial for your dog’s health and fitness. Some breeds that are naturally very active require regular exercise and large space to roam.
Conversely, a sluggish and inactive life can make your pet obese and prone to many health conditions.
Veterinary Checkups and Proper Care
A small infection or health issue can become life-threatening for your pet if it is left untreated.
Your pet cannot describe its pain in words, so you need professional help to understand a change in his behavior or mood. Therefore, have regular vet checkups to make sure your pet is healthy.
Which Breeds Have Shorter Lifespans
Generally, larger dogs live shorter lifespans compared to small-sized dogs. They usually live a maximum of 8 years and then die due to a health condition.
Common examples of such breeds include Great Dane, Irish wolfhound, and Bernese mountain dogs.
Conclusion: Which Dogs Live the Longest?
We all want our dogs to live a long and happy life. They are trustworthy companions and a special part of our families.
In general, if you want to have a companion for a long time, opt for a dog breed that is smaller in size. Mixed breed dogs tend to live longer lives even they are mixed with smaller breeds.
No matter what breed you have, you’ll want to make sure you feed your dog a proper diet, provide plenty of exercise, and schedule regular veterinary checkups. Healthy dogs are happy dogs!