Long life expectancy for dogs is a hard subject to discuss when families are looking into bringing a pet home.
And for good reason, no pet owner wants to think of the time when they have to say their farewells to a loyal pet that has been affectionate and the best human companion it can be, without asking anything in return.
So, its natural as you look for your next best dog breed to wonder Which breed of dog lives the longest?
Small dog breeds tend to live the longest than the medium to large dog breeds.
Since time immemorial, dogs have gifted the human world with insane emotional therapeutic healing experience, work ethics for working breeds and others have been faithful companions to humans. They care about us and show us great loyalty.
Because of that bond, loyalty, and commitment to act selflessly in time of guardianship, you will find that each varied dog breed ever created is uniquely impactful when it passes away with old age.
No wonder dogs enjoy the title “man’s best friend” in our households. We cherish them, love them and we always know that they will be there for us.
We all want a companionship that will last forever but sadly dogs do not live longer than we do. In fact, they even age faster than humans.
Despite that, some dogs have longer lifespans than others. A study showed that life expectancy is as more associated with their health because a healthier dog has less diseases and is less prone to infections.
Some dogs usually develop health issues like cancer as they get older.
Another factor that causes the difference in lifespans is size. Large dog breeds are known to have a shorter lifespan than smaller dogs.
Science has shown that this is because bigger dogs become geriatric faster than smaller dog breeds.
On top of that, another reason why some dogs live shorter than other dogs is concerned with genetics. Take mixed dog breeds for example, they are more susceptible to develop more ailements than the pure dog breeds.
This simply means that a lot of dogs die at the age that is in their DNA. However, some may live longer is they don’t face life-threatening problems.
As we said earlier, some breeds have a longer lifespan and have fewer health issues than other dogs.
The only downside to some of these dogs is that they require high maintenance to keep them healthy, but if that’s the price to pay for a canine companion to live longer, it’s worth it.
That being said, it’s always good to check its characteristics to see what you are in for. Here are the top breeds that have longer lifespans.
1. Bergamasco
This dread-locked canine is loved by many and seen in many dog shows as well as movies.
They have a life expectancy of 14 years. It is so popular for its great health and a big coat, which only requires that you brush it in the first year of having the dog. This keeps the hairs untangled as they grow.
Despite that, it only lives up to 14 years, and the Bergamasco makes an excellent family companion because it is excellent with kids and gets along with almost everyone. It is easygoing and will adapt to any home.
2. Australian Cattle Dog
Known for its high energy and stamina, the Australian Cattle dog is very loyal and playful. They are very outgoing and like to play games like fetch.
This dog will suit you if you have an active lifestyle. However, they require regular exercise which have to be both mental and physical to keep them fit and also to take away some of that energy.
This dog can live up to 13 years old and has less health issues than other dogs. Other than that, they are good with the whole family so enjoy your Australian Cattle dog as much as you can.
3. Azawakh
Another dog that is both affectionate and quiet is the Azawakh. It is very calm and does not bark as much as other dogs. However, it is not very social, so if you have other pets around the house, it will clearly not get along with them.
This quiet dog can live only up to 11 years which is a short time for such a loving dog.
4. Greyhound
Recognized as one of the healthiest breeds in the world, the greyhound can live up to 13 years old. If you are looking for a dog that will get along with your kids or other pets then this is the dog for you.
They are energetic dogs that require exercises regular to keep them from getting bored. Overall they are highly intelligent dogs that make training them seem like a piece of cake.
They are also loyal and will be your knight in shining armor when it comes to danger.
5. Chihuahua
Known to live a lot longer than a lot of dogs, the Chihuahua can live up to an average of 16 years. They are very healthy dogs which, if well taken care of, can live even longer.
They are small in size and this factor, along with their calm state makes them excellent lap dogs. This dog will bed for your attention and will want to be close to you a lot.
This means that when you leave them home, they will suffer from separation anxiety.
6. Labrador Retriever
These dogs are one of the most popular dogs and can be found in many homes. Closely related to the golden retriever, this breed has similar traits.
With its intelligence and hard working character, the Labrador retriever is used as a service dog in the military because it is easy to train and picks up commands easily.
These dogs are also loving and loyal to the whole family. They do not have many health issues as they get older and have an average lifespan of 13 years
7. Poodle
This is a breed that, along with its healthy well-being, it is also healthy for its owners. This is because they shed less which automatically puts them in the hypoallergenic breed category.
They are good with kids and get along well with other pets as well. On top of that, they have a very welcoming personality that lets them to associate well with strangers. These intelligent and adorable dogs can live up to 12 years
8. The Pharaoh Hound
Dating back to ancient Egypt, this dog has been known to be very good in hot Egypt temperatures but not so well in cold temperatures.
As a result, they are called “desert dogs”. They are tall and have a very thin coat.
These dogs are curious dogs that like to wonder around which brings out the independent character in them. The pharaoh dog can live up to 13 years.
9. Rottweiler
This is breed that has an average weight of 128 pounds and can grow to a height of 26 inches. They are large dogs that have a lifespan of 10 years.
The Rottweiler is common in many homes for its alertness which makes it a good watchdog. Along with that, they are great with kids and will never back away from a fight if it is to protect their owners.
10. Ibizan Hound
These dogs have tall legs, a high chest and have a streamlined body which is why they are mostly used in racing competitions.
With that being said, they are hard to catch if they escape so make sure you have a tall fence and a strong leash to keep this dog enclosed.
On the other hand, they like playing with kids and they have a small coat that is very easy to groom. The ibizan Hound has a life expectancy of 12 years.
11. Canaan Dog
The Canaan dog is good for people that want a dog that will need low maintenance as these dogs do not have to be brushed to keep them looking great.
Plus they have a coat that does not shed which makes them great for allergic people.
However, the Canaan dog is territorial as they do not like strangers. On top of that, they do not get along with other pets to make sure this is the only pet you will have.
Regardless they are loving dogs that have less health issues and a life expectancy of about 13 years.
12. Whippet
These dogs are an excellent choice for people who love silence in their homes as they are calm and do not bark unnecessarily compared to other dogs.
Besides their quiet demeanor, they are active dogs that require regular exercises so if you like going for runs, take this dog along with you.
The whippet has a big personality and will always make you happy. They live up to 13 years.
13. Havanese
Sometimes called a small lazy dog, this breed has for many years been a lapdog. They have an average weight of 9 pounds and can live up to 13 years.
They originated from Cuba many years back and have since increased in popularity.
They may need exercises from time to time. These exercises have to be done to keep them active and prevent them from getting obese.
Despite this, they are affectionate and can make a great couch buddy.
14. Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Along with their life expectancy of 13 years, the Pembroke is one of the healthiest dogs out there. They are active breeds that always look for something to do.
Having said this, they require a lot of exercises-both mental and physical otherwise they can get unstable if they are too bored.
Despite this they are great dogs that like to play with kids and also intelligent which makes it easy to train.
15. Border Collie
Like most dogs that have a long lifespan, the Border collie can live up to 13 years on an average. They are active dogs that can do anything to please their owners.
They are also adaptive when it comes to weather changes so no matter where you live, this dog will adapt to that environment.
Speaking of adaptation, these dogs are extremely healthy dogs that are less prone to diseases.
16. Bichon Frise
This breed is known for its calm demeanor and ability to have strong bonds with their owners.
They will regularly beg for your attention. Due to this, they tend to have separation anxiety when they have been left alone and will bark very loudly.
Otherwise, around their owners, these dogs are very calm. They will bark also when they are around strangers which shows their territorial character.
They have less health complications throughout their lifespan of 13 years.
17. Shetland Sheepdog
These is another healthy breed that is both intelligent and barks very little. The Shetland is a problem solver and will love a good challenge.
On top of this, they stick to their owners almost all the time so do not worry if you don’t have a fence or a leash.
Along with that, this dog is loyal, affectionate to their owners and will make a great best friend in its 13 years of life
18. Brittany Spaniel
These dogs date back all the way to the 18th century where they were used in activities like hunting and herding.
As such they are muscular and have a great running speed. Having said this, they require a lot of exercises which also have to be on a regular basis to burn away some of that energy.
Being an easy-to-train dog and very affectionate, this dog will be your best friend and after its 12 years of life are due, it will leave you with great memories.
19. German Pinscher
Having an aggressive and muscular look, a lot of people feel intimidated by this dog.
Despite that it is a very kind and loving dog that likes to please its owners. It is not recommended for you if you have very small children or other pets.
This can, however, be tackled by training the dog to socialize while it is very young.
Overall, this is a great dog that will be your favorite companion. Do not worry about taking a lot of trips to the vet with this dog as it is less prone to diseases. In addition to that, it has a lifespan of 14 years.
20. German shorthaired pointer
As it is said in their name, these dogs have a short hair that is very easy to take care of.
On top of that the coat sheds very little which makes them great pets for allergic people.
These German dogs are very outgoing and they like playing games with their owners. They are, on the other hand, relaxed dogs when indoors.
With an amazing health and a lifespan of 13 years, this dog will make you happy.
21. English Foxhound
These dogs are known for their good sense of smell and like to wonder about so it is always important that they are kept secured.
A fence around the compound can do a great job of keeping this dog inside.
Besides that, they are very energetic so if you plan on having this dog, prepare to step up in the role of exercising them.
The Foxhound also does incredibly well with kids and likes to play with other pets as well.
With all these characteristics, the lifespan of 13 years just seems too short for this loving dog.
22. German shepherd
These dogs are popular around the world for their cute looks and big attitude.
The German shepherd is a highly intelligent dog that is easy to train and quickly picks up commands.
They are mostly used in real estates and in many homes as watchdogs because they are very alert and quick to react.
They have an average lifespan of 10 years but some can exceed this if they fed well and exercised regularly.
It is important to show this dog that you are more dominant over it as it has a pack mentality.
23. Beagle
This dog has, since its origin, been popular and surely will be for many years to come.
This is because they are very friendly and love to play with kids. They are also easy to train which makes them a choice for first time dog owners as well.
The beagle is active and tends to bark quite a lot. As much as they may be good watchdogs, the excessive barking may be very annoying so it is better to train them so that they shouldn’t bark unnecessarily.
Other than that, they are healthy dogs that have a longer life of 15 years compared to other breeds.
24. Siberian Husky
These are one of the healthiest breeds that have a lifespan of 14 years.
They have thick hair and are double-coated which warms them up in cold temperatures and keeps their skin from getting sunburnt in hot temperatures.
This means that the Siberian husky is perfect for all kinds of weather changes.
They are not as intelligent as other dogs and sometimes show an independent character, two things which make a dog hard to train therefore it needs people that are experienced with having dogs.
25. Alaskan Malamute
The last dog on our list is this friendly and playful dog that originated in Alaska.
They are very active and are known as good climbers so make sure that, besides having a leash, you should have a tall fence to keep them from wondering.
The Alaskan malamute is calm and likes to play with kids. However they are not good around other pets.
In this case, train your dog to socialize with other pets as it is young. While they have a lifespan of 13 years, they will do their best to please you till the very end.
Conclusion
Now that you have picked the breed based on your preferences, it is important to know that despite the size and the DNA of the dog, its life expectancy can be increased.
Increasing their life expectancy balances between 2 things- their diet and exercises.
Make sure that the dog is exercised regularly to keep it fit and keep it from getting fat. At the same time, make sure that the dog is given the right food to keep it from getting too thin.
On top of that, just make sure your dog is checked out at the vet from time to time.
The result is that you will have a companionship that will last longer.
