Finding out what dog has the longest lifespan is one of the most important aspects of being a responsible pet owner. While it’s impossible to predict accurately which breed might live longest, some breeds are known to have longer lifespans on average than other breeds. Here, we will discuss some breeds which tend to live longer than average and the various factors that contribute to their longevity. This longest living dog guide can help you make an informed choice when choosing a breed for your family pet.
Dogs are your true family members. It will be heartbreaking to say goodbye if you lose your pet. Isn’t it? If you need a good companion for the rest of your life or don’t want to say goodbyes to your canine friend, choose a long-lived dog breed. With only the breed type, you can’t determine the lifespan of your dog, but it can give you some guesses. Generally, smaller breed dogs tend to have a longer lifespan than larger dogs. It is because the larger dogs age more quickly, and the growth of the larger dogs will be faster. This leads to abnormal tissue developments for larger dogs at an earlier stage, like cancer, arthritis, etc. If you need a lifelong companion, here are the best longest living dog breeds you have to go for.
Longest Living Dog Breeds
#1 Chihuahua
Chihuahua is a proven example of small dogs that tend to have a longest dog lifespan. The chihuahua life span ranges from 15 to 20 years. It is one of the charming and independent dog breeds with a height of about 5 to 8 inches, respectively.
#2 Dachshund
It is one of the longest lifespan dog breed, and it is to be noted that one of the Dachshunds lived for almost 21 years. The average dachshund life span is from 12 to 17 years; in addition, they come in miniature sizes with three varieties – long, short, and wire haired. In the absence of proper training, their aggressiveness is not compatible with their friendly nature toward people and children.
#3 Jack Russell Terrier
Jack Russell Terrier is the longest life expectancy dog and can live up to 20 years. Terrier lifespan is about 16 to 20 years. They are more energetic than other breeds, which helps them live longer. It is a medium-sized dog breed, and it is more prone to ear and eye issues as it ages. It is more challenging to train, and this breed best suits you if you are an experienced owner.
#4 Australian Cattle Dog
It is one of rare dog breeds, and its expected lifespan will be roughly 12 to 15 years. Bluey, an Australian Cattle Dog, holds a Guinness record for the “longest living breed dogs” category and has a lifespan of almost 29 years. Australian cattle dogs are stubborn by nature, and if handled properly, they bond strongly with their owners. They are more energetic and will be very responsive during their training.
#5 Poodle
Standard, Miniature, and Toy poodles will likely have a longer lifespan, but toy poodles outdo the other two. When taken good care of, toy poodles can have an average lifespan of 14 to 18 years. Toy poodles are very intelligent and are very easy to train. These longest living dogs are brilliant and friendly.
#6 Shih Tzu
One of the ancient dogs breeds, which means “lion” in Chinese. On average, longest living dog breed has a lifespan of up to 10 to 18 years, which will be best suitable for your life-long companion. It is not a watchdog but does not encounter more health risks than other breeds. But make sure to groom them regularly with an affordable dog brush. They are the best entertainers, and they don’t like water, and for them, it is somewhat tough to sustain in high-heat environments.
#7 Pomeranian
Are you a first-time pet owner? – Go for Pomeranian. They are very easy to train, fluffy, and have an average lifespan of about 12 to 16 years. The name Pomerania comes from a region that is split between Germany and Poland. They usually bark at the noises they hear from their surroundings and are very alert to the changes happening around their surroundings. It is a playful animal, and it can keep good bonding with you forever.
#8 Beagle
It is believed that the name “Beagle” originated from “Bee gueule” – a French word that means “loudmouth” or has “wide throat.” By nature, they are very smart, playful, and lovable animals known for their vocal sounds. Beagle life span is about 12 years and howls and barks more. It is also to be noted that the oldest living dog in the beagle breed has lived up to 27 years. They are more recognized for their comic character named Snoopy.
#9 Yorkshire Terrier
Breeds such as the Yorkshire Terrier are not lap dogs, but rather smart dogs. It is a good breed for guarding, and they can live for 14 to 17 years. It is one of the tiny breeds, and they are good attention seekers. They often bark a lot, and an interesting fact about Yorkies is they come in a tiny variety named “Teacup Yorkie.” An adult Yorkie will be about two to four pounds in size, and they will be livelier.
#10 Lhasa Apso
One of the loyal dogs they are said to have originated from Tibet and is tiny in size. They are best regarded for their guarding nature and loyalty towards their owners. Lhasa Apso have an average lifespan of about 12 to 14 years and are most preferred for guarding Tibetan palaces and monasteries. They will be very calm and can easily get along with the kids in your home.
#11 Maltese
They are affectionate and playful, which makes them great therapy dogs. Dogs of this breed live between 12 and 15 years and make great pets for children. The female variety of Maltese tends to have a one-year longer life than the male variety of this breed. They are less likely to suffer from genetic diseases, so they usually have a longer life span when compared to other breeds.
#12 Cockapoo
It is one of the therapy dogs, and it is a good choice for you if you are likely to suffer from allergies. You can expect your Cockapoo to live for about 15 years (if you take good care of him). The breed combines the characteristics of both a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle. Dogs like this are intelligent, and they are easy to train. This breed of dog, when chosen for your home, will follow you everywhere. They are an extremely active breed and will be your good companion.
#13 Pug
It is an ancient Chinese breed, and they are your amazing companions, mainly to your kids. Their brain becomes inflamed due to the risk of Pug Dog Encephalitis. This is why they can get seizures; proper care must be taken for this breed. Other than that, they love spending time with their owners and have a 12 to 15 years lifespan.
Does Breed Affect Lifespan?
Many factors determine the lifespan of your canine friends. The dog average lifespan not only determined by the breed , but other factors too. A healthy diet, when combined with regular veterinary care, can increase the lifespan of your dogs. Crossbreed dogs can live longer than inbred ones. It is because inbred dogs can have the risk of carrying genetic illnesses that will be specific to related breeds.
Crossbreeds (of at least two species) tend to have lesser health issues and more life spans than inbred ones. According to some studies, breeds with an effectively larger population size had common survival space (i.e.) three to six months longer than breeds with smaller populations. This indicates that the measures that come in for genetic diversity might affect the species’ lifespan.
Conclusion
If you wish to choose your life-long companion, go for a reputable breeder, and take health tests that help reduce genetically inherited diseases in your canine friends. Choose mixed dog breeds rather than purebred varieties for a longest living dog for your life-long companion. Don’t prefer a giant breed if you are looking for a life-long companion. I prefer smaller dogs as long living pets because they live longer than large dog breeds. Last but not least, exercising together with proper diet can help them live a longer life as obesity is one of the worst things that kills people..