Dogs provide us with unconditional love, so we want our loved ones to be alive and healthy for longer periods. Generally, Small breeds live longer.
Small dogs average life expectancy is between 10 -15 years of breeds under 20 pounds.
While the larger dogs average life expectancy is around 8- 10 years breeds those over 90 pounds.
Middle-sized dogs average life expectancy is around 10 -13 years.
There is no specific answer to ” How long does my dog live?”. Given details are an overall average age for the breeds, sometimes your dog can live longer than that.
We have all gone through the pain of losing our dog at least once in our lifetime. It’s an irreplaceable asset, we can only adopt the other dog but we can’t get our dog back. I would suggest adoption is the right choice, it’s like giving life to an orphan dog. You know in return dog will give back unconditional love.
Top 10 Longest living dog breeds
List of top 10 longest living dogs along with their average lifespans :
- New Guinea singing dog
- Chihuahua
- Toy poodle
- Jack Russell terrier
- Cockapoo
- Lhasa apso
- Shih Tzu
- Australian Shepherd
- Beagle
- Maltese
1. New Guinea Singing Dog
Rarest breed found in New Guinea, Australia. Not an average domesticated dog and not recommended as a house pet as its closely related to the wild dog. Why is it called a singing Dog? It has the ability to vary the pitch of its howl. If properly socialized, then this can be a very good pet. But not an apartment pet. NGSD is an outdoor dog.
Average lifespan: 18 years
2. Chihuahua
Though this is one of the smallest dogs, these live a long beautiful and happy life. This doesn’t belong to Brachycephalic category (flat faced), so they are very less prone to diseases which all flat faced dogs face. They are famous as purse puppies. Most of the high-profile celebrities have them.
Average lifespan: 17 years
3. Toy poodle
Toy poodles are a great outdoor dog. They are very good athletes. One of the most trainable and smarted of all breeds. Polite with strangers and sociable with other animals. Their peace of mind keeps them live longer.
Average lifespan: 16 years
4. Jack Russell terrier
Super active and super smart dog. Jack Russell terrier require any fulltime job like running in the backyard, playing with you, follow you for an outdoor job or hunting a rat. If it has nothing to do then the dog is very destructive. Requires a lot of consistent training and exercise to keep him sane.
Average lifespan: 16 years
5. Cockapoo
Cross between Cocker Spaniel and a poodle. The best of both breeds are in Cockapoo. They are happy, affectionate and are bred to be a companion dog. Cockapoo has a moderate energy level but still, require exercise for at least 15 minutes a day.
Average lifespan: 16 years
6. Lhasa apso
One of the oldest breed coming from Tibet. It was once a watchdog in monasteries and palaces. But now a family dog who crave a lot of cuddles.
Average lifespan: 15 years
7. Shih Tzu
Shih Tzu is a companion dog. Loves people to be around. Shih Tzu is affectionate with children. One of the most beautiful dog breed. Best breed for the people who live in an apartment.
Average lifespan: 15 years
8. Australian Shepherd
As the name suggests its good as a shepherd. Very active, more focused and Agile are characteristics. Perfect outdoor dog. Require a lot of exercises to keep him fit and busy.
Average lifespan: 15 years
9. Beagle
Though a small dog, they are very active and hardy. They love to hunt for new scents. Love the company of kids. They were initially bred as a hunting dog as they are good at tracking smell.
Average lifespan: 15 years
10. Maltese
Maltese generally have white floor length coat. Loos beautiful and small. They are playful and charming. They are excellent watchdogs and very good runners.
Average lifespan: 15 years
There is no specific answer to ” How long does my dog live?”.
Large breeds
Lifespans for certain large dog breeds:
- Great Dane (8-10 years)
- Bernese Mountain Dog (7-10 years)
- Irish Wolfhound (8-10 years)
- Newfoundland (10-12 years)
- Giant Schnauzer (10-12 years)
- Dogue de Bordeaux (9-11 years)
- Rottweiler (10-12 years)
- St. Bernard (10-12 years)
- Scottish Deerhound (10-12 years)
- Flat-Coated Retriever (10-12 years)
- Akita (11-15 years)
- Anatolian Shepherd (11-13 years)
- Irish Setter (12-14 years)
- Belgian Malinois (14-16 years)
Medium sized dogs
Lifespans for certain medium dog breeds:
- Australian Shepherd (12-15 years)
- Chinese Shar-Pei (12-14 years)
- Cocker Spaniel (13-15 years)
- Poodle (12-15 years)
- Whippet (12-15 years)
- Puli (10-15 years)
- Welsh Springer Spaniel (13-15 years)
- Bulldog (10-12 years)
- Boxer (10-12 years)
- Chow Chow (11-13 years)
- Curly-Coated Retriever (11-13 years)
- French Bulldog (11-13 years)
Small breeds
Lifespans for certain small dog breeds:
- Chihuahua (15-17 years)
- Chinese Crested (15-17 years)
- Smooth and Wire Fox Terrier (13-15 years)
- English Toy Spaniel (13-15 years)
- Pomeranian (14-16 years)
- Rat Terrier (13-15 years)
- Russell Terrier (12-14 years)
- Lakeland Terrier (12-14 years)
- Manchester Terrier (12-14 years)
- Yorkshire Terrier (12-15 years)
A complete list of dog breeds and their lifespan
Breed | Average Lifespan (Years) |
Affenpinscher | 12-14 |
Afghan Hound | 12-14 |
African Boerboels | 9-11 |
Airedale Terrier | 10-13 |
Akbash | 10-11 |
Akita | 10-13 |
Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldogs | 13 |
Alaskan Klee Kai | 14 |
Alaskan Malamute | 10-13 |
American Bulldog | 12-14 |
American Eskimo Dog | 12-14 |
American Foxhound | 10-13 |
American Staffordshire Terrier | 12-14 |
American Water Spaniel | 10-12 |
Anatolian Shepherd Dog | 10-13 |
Australian Cattle Dog | 10-13 |
Australian Kelpie | 12 |
Australian Shepherd | 12-15 |
Australian Silky Terrier | 11-14 |
Australian Terrier | 12-14 |
Basenji | 12-14 |
Basset Hound | 11-14 |
Beagle | 12-14 |
Bearded Collie | 12-14 |
Beauceron | 10-12 |
Bedlington Terrier | 12-14 |
Belgian Malinois | 10-12 |
Belgian Shepherd Dog | 10-12 |
Belgian Tervuren | 10-12 |
Bernese Mountain Dog | 6-9 |
Bichon Frise | 12-15 |
Black and Tan Coonhound | 10-12 |
Black Russian Terrier | 10-11 |
Bloodhound | 10-12 |
Border Collie | 10-14 |
Border Terrier | 12-15 |
Borzoi | 10-12 |
Boston Terrier | 14 |
Bouvier des Flandres | 10-12 |
Boxer | 8-10 |
Briard | 10-12 |
Brittany | 12-13 |
Brussels Griffon | 12-15 |
Bull Terrier | 11-14 |
Bullmastiff | 8-10 |
Cairn Terrier | 12-14 |
Canaan Dog | 12-13 |
Cane Corso | 11 |
Cardigan Welsh Corgi | 12-14 |
Carolina Dog | 13 |
Catahoula Leopard Dogs | 12 |
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 9-14 |
Central Asian Ovtcharkas | 12 |
Cesky Terrier | 14 |
Chesapeake Bay Retriever | 10-13 |
Chihuahua | 14-18 |
Chinese Crested | 13-15 |
Chinese Foo | 11 |
Chinese Shar-Pei | 8-10 |
Chipoo | 14 |
Chow Chow | 8-12 |
Clumber Spaniel | 10-12 |
Cocker Spaniel | 12-15 |
Cockapoo | 14-18 |
Collie | 8-12 |
Coton De Tulears | 15 |
Curly-Coated Retriever | 8-12 |
Dachshund | 12-14 |
Dalmatian | 12-14 |
Dandie Dinmont Terrier | 11-13 |
Doberman Pinscher | 10-12 |
Dogue de Bordeaux | 5-7 |
English Bulldogs | 8-12 |
English Cocker Spaniels | 12-14 |
English Foxhound | 10-13 |
English Setter | 10-12 |
English Shepherd | 15 |
English Springer Spaniel | 10-14 |
English Toy Spaniel | 10-12 |
Estrela Mountain Dogs | 11 |
Field Spaniel | 12-14 |
Fila Brasileiros | 10 |
Finnish Spitz | 12-14 |
Flat-Coated Retriever | 10-13 |
Fox Terrier (Smooth) | 10-13 |
Fox Terrier (Wire) | 10-13 |
French Bulldog | 9-11 |
German Pinscher | 12-15 |
German Shepherd | 10-12 |
German Shorthaired Pointer | 12-14 |
German Wirehaired Pointer | 12-14 |
Giant Schnauzer | 10-12 |
Glen of Imaal Terrier | 10-14 |
Golden Retriever | 10-13 |
Goldendoodle | 14 |
Gordon Setter | 10-12 |
Great Dane | 7-10 |
Great Pyrenees | 10-12 |
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog | 10-12 |
Greyhound | 10-13 |
Harrier | 12-14 |
Havanese | 12-14 |
Hungarian Vizsla | 10-14 |
Ibizan Hound | 12-14 |
Irish Setter | 12-14 |
Irish Terrier | 12-15 |
Irish Water Spaniel | 10-13 |
Irish Wolfhound | 5-7 |
Italian Greyhound | 12-15 |
Jack Russell Terrier | 13 |
Japanese Chin | 12-14 |
Keeshond | 12-14 |
Kerry Blue Terrier | 12-15 |
Komondor | 10-12 |
Kooikerhondje | 13 |
Kuvasz | 9-12 |
Labradoodle | 13 |
Labrador Retriever | 10-12 |
Laekenois | 12 |
Lakeland Terrier | 12-16 |
Lancashire Heeler | 14 |
Lhasa Apso | 12-14 |
Löwchen | 13-15 |
Maltese | 12-14 |
Maltipoo | 13 |
Manchester Terrier | 15-16 |
Maremma Sheepdog | 12 |
Mastiff | 9-11 |
Miniature Bull Terrier | 11-14 |
Miniature Pinscher | 12-14 |
Miniature Poodle | 12-14 |
Miniature Schnauzer | 12-14 |
Neapolitan Mastiff | 8-10 |
Newfoundland | 8-10 |
Norfolk Terrier | 13-15 |
Norwegian Buhunds | 11-13 |
Norwegian Elkhound | 10-12 |
Norwich Terrier | 13-15 |
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever | 11-13 |
Old English Sheepdog | 10-12 |
Otterhound | 10-13 |
Papillon | 12-15 |
Parson Russell Terrier | 13-15 |
Peekapoo | 13 |
Pekingese | 12-15 |
Pembroke Welsh Corgi | 11-13 |
Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen | 11-14 |
Pharaoh Hound | 11-14 |
Pit Bull | 12-14 |
Plott | 11-13 |
Pointer | 11-15 |
Polish Lowland Sheepdog | 10-14 |
Pomapoo | 13 |
Pomeranian | 12-16 |
Poodle (Standard) | 12-15 |
Portuguese Water Dog | 10-14 |
Pug | 12-15 |
Puli | 10-15 |
Rat Terrier | 16 |
Redbone Coonhound | 11 |
Rhodesian Ridgeback | 10-12 |
Rottweiler | 8-11 |
Saint Bernard | 8-10 |
Saluki | 12-14 |
Samoyed | 10-12 |
Schipperke | 13-15 |
Schnoodle | 13 |
Scottish Deerhound | 7-9 |
Scottish Terrier | 11-13 |
Sealyham Terrier | 11-13 |
Shetland Sheepdog | 12-14 |
Shiba Inu | 12-15 |
Shih Tzu | 11-14 |
Siberian Husky | 11-13 |
Silky Terrier | 11-14 |
Skye Terrier | 12-14 |
Snorkie | 12 |
Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier | 12-14 |
Spinone Italiano | 12-14 |
Staffordshire Bull Terrier | 12-14 |
Standard Schnauzer | 12-14 |
Sussex Spaniel | 11-13 |
Swedish Vallhund | 13 |
Thai Ridgeback | 12 |
Tibetan Mastiff | 11-14 |
Tibetan Spaniel | 14 |
Tibetan Terrier | 12-15 |
Toy Fox Terrier | 13-14 |
Toy Manchester Terrier | 14-16 |
Toy Poodle | 12-14 |
Treeing Walker Coonhound | 12-13 |
Vizsla | 10-14 |
Weimaraner | 10-13 |
Welsh Springer Spaniel | 12-15 |
Welsh Terrier | 12-14 |
West Highland White Terrier | 12-14 |
Whippet | 12-15 |
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon | 12-14 |
Xoloitzcuintle | 13 |
Yorkie-Poo | 14 |
Yorkshire Terrier | 14-16 |
Factors determining Dogs lifespan
- Dog Size
- Inbreeding vs Crossbreeding
- Diet
- Neutering
- Exercise
- Oral hygiene
- Vet checkup
1 . Dog Size
As we see from the above chart the Smaller dogs tend to live longer than larger dogs up to several years more. There are a few reasons behind this. One of the reason is the larger breeds grow at a faster pace from puppies to adults. The abnormal cell growth results in various diseases, which will hinder the life expectancy.
Inbreeding vs Crossbreeding
Inbreeding reduces the lifespan of dogs. The health issues and genetically carrying diseases will be more visible in inbreeding puppies, these will hider the life expectancy. In contrast, Crossbreeding is good and the live longer life in comparison.
2 . Diet
The overfed dog will have a lot more problem and reduce life expectancy. Dogs need a proper nutritious diet, consult your Vet if you are not sure about the diet of your dog.
3 . Neutering
Neutering is a small procedure which will prevent dogs to make puppies. The minor surgery has to be done at a young age. This positively affects the dog’s lifespan. The risk of ovarian, testicle cancers can be avoided. If you not planning on breeding, then Neutering is the best option to improve your dog’s lifespan.
4 . Exercise
Dogs require a lot of exercises to keep them fit and healthy. Dogs require a normal long walk or running and fetching toys. Also, dogs do need exercise mentally too. Spend time with your dog as much as possible. Do not ever me a reason for their depression or mental illness. A happy dog will live for more years than a sad one.
5 . Oral hygiene
Most of the oral diseases are pretty severe for the dog in their old age. For example plaque buildup, gingivitis. A good toothpaste with a soft brush is pretty much needed for keeping dogs oral hygiene up to the mark. Do not ever neglect the oral care, during old age dog will have a hard time to break down his food.
6 . Vet checkup
Take your dog to Veterinarian at least twice in a year for a general checkup. As humans, we can communicate if we are facing any slight problem in our health but for dogs even if they show signs to us. We can hardly get those subtle signs seriously nor we don’t understand. So its good to visit the vet for their peace of mind. Giving treatment at early stages solves some of the major disorders or diseases.