Which Dog Breed Has The Longest Lifespan?

The one rule of thumb when it comes to dog lifespan is that the smaller the dog breed, the longer the lifespan. The average lifespan of dogs is between 10-13 years but Toy Poodles, Yorkshire terriers, Chihuahuas, and Dachshunds can live up to 20 years assuming they are properly medically cared for, and there are no accidents. If you can’t stand the pain of your beloved dog’s death, consider adopting a dog that has a slightly longer lifespan. In this article we will show you Which dog breed has the longest lifespan, so you can make a more well-educated decision.

The Longest Living Dog Breeds

A study published in The American Naturalist journal stated that small dogs live longer than larger dogs. Here is a list of dogs with the longest lifespans you can consider buying.

Chihuahuas: 14 – 20 years

Chihuahuas are pretty small dogs with a height of 15-25 cm and weighing only 1.8-2.7 kg.. In addition to being known for its small size, the breed is also popular for its long lifespan, almost the longest living dogs in the World because they have genes that are not susceptible to disease. Although tiny and adorable, Chihuahuas are very intelligent and protective. They are also known as miniature guard dogs.

Yorkie: 16 – 20 years

We can’t deny the cuteness and friendliness of watchdog. Their height is only about 20-22.8 cm and their weight is 1-8-3.2 kg. Despite having a lifespan of up to 20 years, Yorkshire is prone to stomach problems.

Toy Poodle: 14 – 20 years

The Poodle is considered one of the most intelligent dog breeds. There are 4 types of poodles: Giant, Standard, Teacup, and Toy. In particular, Toy Poodles have the longest life of the 4 types. Because it is a friendly and intelligent dog and is small, the Toy Poodle is loved by many families. If you are a first-time owner this will be a great companion. 

Dachshund: 14 – 20 years

The Dachshund has a distinctive look that resembles a sausage, which is why it is also affectionately known as a sausage dog. The Dachshund is the smallest member of the hound family. This breed has a long back so they are more prone to back pain, especially overweight dogs. Be careful with the dog’s back, don’t let them jump off high surfaces. 

Lhasa Apso: 14 – 20 years

These dogs have a rather distinctive appearance with really long hair. Some people find them goofy with a central parting hairstyle, and eyes are hidden under the long, thick fur. 

Don’t let that goofy look fool you, Lhasa apso is very intelligent and has a high alert level. In ancient times, they were chosen to help Buddhists keep watch over temples. Not only smart, these dogs are also very loyal and loving to their owners. 

If you choose a Lhasa apso, expect more visits to the groomer in order to take care of that luxurious coat. 

Papillion: 15 – 17 years

If you own a papillon, you will always feel happy and your life will be filled with affection. These dogs always want to hang around their owners and love to cuddle. They are also very intelligent and confident. They know what you want them to do and understand immediately.

Pomeranian: 12 – 16 years

This is a lovely breed with a short muzzle and big, round eyes. Contrary to their slightly playful faces, Pomeranians have low energy, calm and obedient. 

Cockapoo: 12 – 18 years

Cockapoos are a crossbreed between Cocker Spaniel and Poodle. This breed is intelligent and obedient. They are highly affectionate dogs, and they love to follow you around the house.

Beagle: 12 – 17 years

The beagle has the French name Bee guile which means a loud mouth. As the name suggests, Beagles are very barking and curious about the world around them because they have their strong hunting instinct. If you have another pet in the house, this guy will spend most of his time playing catch. Although the Beagle can be a bit giddy and energetic, it is still the ideal breed for your family because of its loving nature and cute appearance.

Toy Manchester Terrier: 14 – 16 years

The Toy Manchester Terrier is smaller than the standard Manchester, so the Terrier looks sleeker and fancier, easpecially the smooth and glossy coat. Due to its origins as a hunting dog, the Toy Manchester Terrier has a high need for activity and barks a lot. This breed has a loyal and loving nature which makes it a great companion. 

Shih Tzu: 10 – 16 years

Shih Tzu is believed to come from China. In ancient times, Shih Tzu was pet of Chinese royalty. Shih Tzu means lion but these dogs are very friendly and obedient. However, their exceptionally long coat will require a little more special care.

Minimature Schnauzer: 12 – 15 years

The Miniature Schnauzer is a member of the Terrier group and is the smallest of the three Schnauzer breeds. These dogs are extremely extroverted and they love to follow their owners everywhere. With an outgoing personality and small size, this will make a great family dog.

Jack Russell: 10 – 16 years

The Russell Terrier is a small breed of Terrier dog. It is named after Pastor Parson John Russell after the process of selection and successful breeding of this breed.

This dog breed is smart, agile, and extremely cunning. They were bred in the south of England and thrived in the 30s of the 20th century.

Maltese: 12 – 15 years

Maltese is also known as Malta. For more than 28 centuries, Maltese dogs have been considered the “aristocratic class” of the canine world, when utensils such as eating utensils for dogs exude a luxurious aura. Maltese is believed to have originated in Malta, a small island south of Sicily, whose civilization was distinguished by its sophistication and elegance. These dogs love to spend time playing with their families and love to cuddle more than usual dogs. 

Pug: 12 – 15 years

Pug is another dog great for families because of their compact size and personality. As you may have seen on the internet, pugs are very loving and loyal to their families. They love to spend time around humans and are always ready to play. 

Corgi: 12 – 15 years

The Corgi is a famous “Big Butt Short Leg” dog breed originating from Wales. Appearing more than 3,000 years ago, Corgi was originally used mainly for herding cattle. After the 16th century, this dog gradually became popular and was kept as a pet by many families – especially loved by Queen Elizabeth II and members of the British royal family. 

Corgi dogs are very affectionate, and easily get along with family members. They are especially loyal and love to bond with their owners, but are very wary of strangers. That’s why the Corgi is a reliable companion for all families.

Australian Shepherd: 12 – 15 years

This breed is instinctively loyal, intelligent, brave, and independent. They are easy to train and have high intelligence. This is a friendly dog breed and especially loves children.

Australian Shepherds are not aggressive but are wary of strangers. Some are also capable of harming small children and other animals, but luckily they are very docile so you need to train them accordingly. They love to run, play, and get bored easily if they are not active, so you need to give them opportunities to do activities such as assigning tasks or playing with them, etc.

Maltipoo: 10-15 years

The Maltipoo (or Maltese-Poodle) is a breed crossed from a Maltese dog with a Toy Poodle. The Maltipoo has the main characteristics of a poodle such as curly hair and outstanding intelligence. Currently, the Maltipoo is not recognized as a separate breed by the world.

They have a curly coat like the coat of a Poodle and can come in many colors such as black, white, brown, and gray. They often shed a lot and require owners to take good care of their coats to keep the coat smooth and the color not faded.

Golden Retriever: 10 – 12 years

The Golden Retriever is a medium-sized dog. They are active and playful dogs. They are also very loyal and intelligent. Golden Retriever is a dog with a very sensitive instinct to track and detect prey, so it can act as a special agent dog to detect Drugs. These dogs have a lot of energy and always love to play with humans.

Afghan Hound: 12 – 14 years

The Afghan Hound is a beautiful breed that looks very gorgeous and proud. Originally a hunting dog, they possess incredible speed, even faster than horses! They look cold but are very affectionate and vulnerable.

Border Collie: 10 – 17 years

Border Collie topped the list of 100 smartest dogs in the world. Not only the intelligence but the appearance and qualities of this pet dog are also much superior to that of other breeds. Collie Border dogs are very friendly and sociable. In addition, due to the origin of shepherd dogs, they are very active and like to exercise a lot.

Which is your favorite dog on our list? We hope this article has answered your question for which dog breed has the longest lifespan. Hurry up and grab yourself a puppy now!

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