Best Dog Breeds With Long Lifespans

Dogs provide us unconditional love and companionship, filling our life with happiness. Dog ownership is one of the greatest joys of life but saying goodbyes is one of its most challenging things.

It’s the undeniable fact that people live longer than dogs, bringing tears to most owners’ eyes. Even with the best care, high-quality diet, and exercise, we cannot stop aging in dogs.

How Long do Dogs Live?

Every pet parent faces the inevitable question of the longevity of their dogs. On average, dogs live around 10 to 13 years. However, the lifespan of a dog depends on a couple of factors,

• Breed
• Size
• Diet
• Daily care activities
• Genetic composition

A recent veterinarian study also revealed that smaller dogs (20 pounds) have an average lifespan of 11-years, whereas larger dogs (over 90 pounds) live for only 8-years. Larger dogs grow up faster, leading to an earlier occurrence of abnormal tissue developments like cancer and tumor and aging-related disease like arthritis.

Signs of Aging in Dogs

On average, dogs become a senior at 8-years old. The signs of aging in smaller dogs show at 9 or 10 years of age, whereas in larger dog breeds, it is visible as early as 6 or 7.

As dogs enter their senior years, they begin to gain weight quickly, and their senses start to dull. If you are a dog owner or else thinking of adopting one, keep an eye on

Seven Signs of Aging in Dogs

• Joint pains and stiffness in legs
• Dental issues like tooth decay, bad breath, plaque, swollen/infected gums, and loss of appetite
• Loss of senses – smell, eyesight, and hearing
• Weight gain due to reduced exercise or weight loss due to loss of appetite
• Difficulty with bladder control
• Behavioral changes like less enthusiastic about greeting you, being more cautious while walks, or appearing confused/unstable (if it is suffering from cognitive dysfunction)
• Age-related diseases like dementia, arthritis, heart problems, cancer, gastrointestinal issues, etc.

However, if you wish to enjoy long company with your dog, consider dog breeds with long lifespans.

Here Are Some of the Best Dog Breeds with Long Lifespans

Chihuahua

Average lifespan – 12-20 years

Chihuahua Dogs are one of the longest-living dog breeds. It is also the smallest breed that requires plenty of exercises, mental stimulation, and training to stay healthy. They are bold, intelligent, and highly devoted to their owners, especially kids.

Dachshund

Average lifespan – 12-16 years

They are also known as the wiener dog, badger dog, or sausage dog. Dachshund is short-legged, a hound-type dog breed that can be aggressive toward people or other animals if they are not trained and socialized. The oldest living Dachshund was named Chanel that lived till the age of 21 years in 2009.

Toy Poodle

Average lifespan – 10-18 years

It is an easy-to-train and intelligent dog breed. Poodles make a great family pet and are beautiful and sweet too. However, Toy Poodle is prone to orthopedic problems and eye issues often.

Jack Russell Terrier

Average lifespan – 13-18 years

It is a small breed that made Guinness record for being the oldest Jack Russell (named Willie) to reach age 20 in 2014. They are bold, fearless, energetic dogs that enjoy an active lifestyle. If it has excess energy built up, it expels it through shaking.

Shih Tzu

Average lifespan – 10-16 years

Shih Tzu is an ancient dog breed with an adorable, sweet, and friendly nature. It requires daily short walks and playtime. It also has high grooming needs like daily brushing or regular clipping.

Maltese

Average lifespan – 12-15 years

Maltese is an exceptionally healthy small breed that is affectionate, intelligent, responsive, and trusting. They are lively, playful and always enjoy learning new tricks. They thrive on company and affection. As a result, it’s prone to separation anxiety if left alone for long durations.

Yorkshire Terrier

Average lifespan – 13-16 years

Yorkshire Terrier is a tiny dog breed known for its longevity. It’s an intelligent, lively, curious, and attention-seeking dog breed. They possess the Terrier traits of strong guarding instincts but tend to bark a lot.

Pomeranian

Average lifespan – 12-16 years

 This fluffy, little, fun-loving dog breed is known for its friendly behavior. But sometimes pomeranian can be a bit bossy. It is highly loyal to the families and always stays alert to changes in the surrounding.

Shiba Inu

Average lifespan – 13-16 years

They are strong-willed, clean, quiet, and loyal dog breeds but are not for everyone as it prefers to stay aloof. They are thick-coated, non-sporting dogs that mostly enjoy a healthy life. But, some can be prone to allergies.

Australian Cattle Dog

Average lifespan – 12-16 years

They have a high working drive and thrive in active home lifestyles. It is among the rare large dog breeds with a long lifespan. The oldest ever any Australian cattle dog lived was Bluey – 29 years in 1939. It holds the Guinness record of the longest-living dog. They are energetic, intelligent, and highly responsive to training.

Lhasa Apso

Average lifespan – 12-14 years

Lhasa Apso is a dog breed originating from Tibet. In the era of Tibetan palaces and monasteries, they were highly regarded watchdogs. But nowadays, they are mostly the little family companions that are lovable and loyal toward their owners but wary of strangers. They do well with kids due to their calm and gentle nature.

Beagle

Average lifespan – 12–15 years

It is an old dog breed known for being vocal – bark and howls a lot! They are intelligent, lovable, gentle, and friendly family dogs. Instances show that with proper healthcare, exercise, neutering, and regular vet checkups, Beagle dog have exceeded their average lifespan expectancy. The oldest known Beagle named Butch lived in Virginia and died at the mature old age of 27 in 2009.

Conclusion

No one can control the factors affecting the lifespan of a dog. But as a responsible pet parent, you can give your dog quality care and good veterinary support at all times. Additionally, if the pain of losing a pet bothers you much, you can avoid certain breeds like Irish wolfhounds, Great Danes, and Bernese mountain dogs. But remember, whichever dog you bring home, they all love humans unconditionally and always remain loyal.