Dog owners will do anything to keep their furry, four-legged friends happy and healthy. Millennials spend over $1,200 per year on their pets, and most are willing to shell out thousands more to take care of their pets if they fall ill. The sad reality is that dogs have much shorter lifespans than people.
According to a study from the U.K., the median lifespan of a dog is 11.3 years. But no two breeds are the same. Some types of dogs tend to live well into their teens, while others have a median lifespan of fewer than 10 years.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed a study published in the Journal of Small Animal Practice to determine the shortest and longest living dog breeds in the world. Breeds for which there was little data and breeds that are not recognized by the America Kennel Club were not considered.
Each breed of dog has different health needs and challenges. Some need specialized diets. Others need a lot of exercise. Certain types of dogs, like Bernese Mountain Dogs, are especially prone to cancer, yet in breeds like the dachshund, cancer is relatively rare.
Numerous studies have determined that there is a significant link between the size of a dog and the size of its lifespan — larger dogs have noticeably shorter lifespans than smaller dogs, as they age at a faster rate.
Many of the dogs with the shortest lifespans are classified as either “large” or “giant” while lots of the longest living dogs are considered “small” and “toy” breeds. In addition to their longer lives, people may opt to get a smaller dog because they are more convenient to house, cheaper to feed, and many apartments have rental clauses barring dogs over a certain size.
Dog owners must consider the health needs of the pet they plan to adopt — whether that is lots of exercise or special diets. They also must consider their own health. An estimated 15% of the population is allergic to dogs and cats, but there are options for them. No dog is completely hypoallergenic, but there are plenty of breeds that go well with allergy sufferers.
Longest Living Dog Breeds
- Belgian shepherd
- Median lifespan: 12.5 years
- Breed popularity rank: 187 out of 193
- Height: 23.5 inches (male), 22 inches (female)
- Weight: 70-84 pounds (male), 57-71 pounds (female)
2. Dalmatian
- Median lifespan: 12.5 years
- Breed popularity rank: 56 out of 193
- Height: 19-24 inches
- Weight: 45-70 pounds
3. Samoyed
- Median lifespan: 12.5 years
- Breed popularity rank: 59 out of 193
- Height: 21-23.5 inches (male), 19-21 inches (female)
- Weight: 45-65 pounds (male), 35-50 pounds (female)
4. Shetland sheepdog
- Median lifespan: 12.5 years
- Breed popularity rank: 25 out of 193
- Height: 13-16 inches
- Weight: 15-25 pounds
5. Soft-coated wheaten terrier
- Median lifespan: 12.5 years
- Breed popularity rank: 53 out of 193
- Height: 18-19 inches (male), 17-18 inches (female)
- Weight: 35-40 pounds (male), 30-35 pounds (female)
6. Siberian husky
- Median lifespan: 12.6 years
- Breed popularity rank: 14 out of 193
- Height: 21-23.5 inches (male), 20-22 inches (female)
- Weight: 45-60 pounds (male), 35-50 pounds (female)
7. Welsh springer spaniel
- Median lifespan: 12.6 years
- Breed popularity rank: 128 out of 193
- Height: 18-19 inches (male), 17-18 inches (female)
- Weight: 40-55 pounds (male), 35-50 pounds (female)
8. Beagle
- Median lifespan: 12.7 years
- Breed popularity rank: 6 out of 193
- Height: 13 inches & under, 13-15 inches
- Weight: under 20 pounds (13 inches & under), 20-30 pounds (13-15 inches)
9. Collie
- Median lifespan: 12.7 years
- Breed popularity rank: 38 out of 193
- Height: 24-26 inches (male), 22-24 inches (female)
- Weight: 60-75 pounds (male), 50-65 pounds (female)
10. Dachshund
- Median lifespan: 12.7 years
- Breed popularity rank: 12 out of 193
- Height: 8-9 inches (standard), 5-6 inches (miniature)
- Weight: 16-32 pounds (standard), 11 pounds & under (miniature)
Shortest Living Dog Breeds
- Havanese
- Median lifespan: 10.3 years
- Breed popularity rank: 24 out of 193
- Height: 8.5-11.5 inches
- Weight: 7-13 pounds
2. Boxer
- Median lifespan: 10.3 years
- Breed popularity rank: 11 out of 193
- Height: 23-25 inches (male), 21.5-23.5 inches (female)
- Weight: 65-80 pounds (male), 50-65 pounds (female)
3. Otterhound
- Median lifespan: 10.2 years
- Breed popularity rank: 182 out of 193
- Height: 27 inches (male), 24 inches (female)
- Weight: 115 pounds (male), 80 pounds (female)
4. Chinese crested
- Median lifespan: 10.1 years
- Breed popularity rank: 79 out of 193
- Height: 11-13 inches
- Weight: 8-12 pounds
5. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Median lifespan: 10.0 years
- Breed popularity rank: 18 out of 193
- Height: 12-13 inches
- Weight: 13-18 pounds
6. Lowchen
- Median lifespan: 10.0 years
- Breed popularity rank: 168 out of 193
- Height: 12-14 inches
- Weight: 15 pounds
7. Giant schnauzer
- Median lifespan: 10.0 years
- Breed popularity rank: 78 out of 193
- Height: 25.5-27.5 inches (male), 23.5-25.5 inches (female)
- Weight: 60-85 pounds (male), 55-75 pounds (female)
8. German wirehaired pointer
- Median lifespan: 10.0 years
- Breed popularity rank: 63 out of 193
- Height: 24-26 inches (male), minimum 22 inches (female)
- Weight: 50-70 pounds
9. Bullterrier
- Median lifespan: 10.0 years
- Breed popularity rank: 62 out of 193
- Height: 21-22 inches
- Weight: 50-70 pounds
10. Akita
- Median lifespan: 9.9 years
- Breed popularity rank: 47 out of 193
- Height: 26-28 inches (male), 24-26 inches (female)
- Weight: 100-130 pounds (male), 70-100 pounds (female)