The Lifespan of Dogs: Which Breeds Live the Longest?

The happiness of sharing our lives with a dog is always tempered by one great sadness--that canines live relatively short lives compared to their owners. But just like with humans, many factors can help predict how long a dog will live. In fact, researchers in Denmark studied the lifespans of nearly 3,000 dogs, noting breed-specific tendencies. Here’s what they found in a 2003 study:

Who Lives Longer? Mixed Breeds vs. Pedigrees

The median lifespan of all dogs in the study was 10 years, reports Helle Proschowsky, an animal scientist at the Danish Kennel Club. Mixed breeds generally lived an average of one full year longer. This is because many purebred dogs come with substantial health issues that can cut their lives short. Since mutts haven’t gone through the process of inbreeding, they should lead healthier and longer lives--one of many sound arguments for adopting a mixed breed dog from your local shelter.

Who Lives Longer? Smaller Breeds vs. Larger

If you are looking for a dog breed with a long life span, think small. The Danish study supports the long-held belief that smaller dogs generally live longer than larger ones. Shetland Sheepdogs, Poodles, and Dachshunds had the longest lifespans --many longer than 12 years. On the other hand, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Rottweilers and Sighthounds (such as Greyhounds, Scottish Deerhounds, and Irish Wolfhounds) had the shortest lifespans. Large dogs may suffer from cardiovascular and skeletal diseases that are very rare among the smaller breeds.

Although it’s not unusual to see a 17-year-old miniature poodle, a 12-year-old Labrador is considered old, and any dog in the giant breed category (100+ pounds) is considered to be geriatric at 6-7 years. Generally speaking, the larger your dog is, the less time he has.

Who Lives Longer? Male vs. Female

Studies show that as with humans, female dogs tend to live slightly longer than male dogs.

Dog breeds and life expectancy

Here are the American Kennel Club’s 10 most popular dog breeds and their average life expectancy. (Source: The World Atlas of Dog Breeds)

• Labrador Retriever: 10-14 years
• Yorkshire Terrier: 12-15 years
• German Shepherd: 10-14 years
• Golden Retriever: 10-12 years
• Beagle: 12-14 years
• Boxer: 11-14 years
• Dachshund: 12-14 years
• Bulldog: 10-12 years
• Poodle: 10-15 years
• Shih Tzu: 11-15 years

No matter what breed you ultimately choose, you can play a significant role in increasing your dog’s lifespan. Proper nutrition, regular exercise, thorough grooming and annual visits to the vet will help all dogs live healthier, happier and longer lives.