Dog Breeds with Longest Life Spans

When you bring a brand new puppy to your home, you can’t be happier. Your kids are thrilled to bits when playing with a new furry buddy in the backyard or in the park. At moments of happiness, you don’t want to think that there is an end to this joyful time. Dogs, just like any other creatures, do not live forever, and the day when you have to say goodbye to your four-pawed family member will come someday.

The average lifespan of a dog is about 10-13 years. Some dogs live longer, some can hardly make it to 8 years. The thing is, apart from other factors like lifestyle, nutrition, and genetics, that the longest living dog breeds can boast of living longer than their furry mates.

For example, an Australian cattle dog named Bluey is featured in the Guinness world record book as the longest living dog ever with a lifespan of 29 years and 5 months. These are impressive figures that give us hope that our bundles of joy will stay with us as long as they can.

So, in this article, we’ll provide you with the longest living dog breeds list. In this way, you’ll be able to find the tail-wagging companion that is synergic with your character, living conditions, and preferences.

Chihuahua

Did you know that Chihuahuas are long-livers? The longest living dog record of Chihuahua was linked to a pet called Megabyte, who was lucky to live happily for 20 years. In general, these tiny creatures live 15-20 years on average. Some say that’s due to the fact that Chihuahuas are less prone to serious diseases. However, mind that eyes and heart are the weak spots of these breed representatives. Also, regardless of the small body size, the Chihuahua still requires plenty of physical activity (that is appropriate for their size) and mental stimulation.

• Group: Toy
• Weight: 3 to 6 pounds
• Lifespan: 15-20 years

Yorkshire Terrier (Yorkie)

So cute, so adorable, Yorkies are known for being one of the longest-living dog breeds. These cuties can live for around 12-15 years on average. They are devoted and affectionate with their families. Don’t be misled by the sweet look and toy-sized body of this pet. In fact, Yorkshire Terriers still have the terrier blood running in their veins, so they are noted for having strong guarding instincts.

• Group: Toy
• Weight: 4 to 6 pounds
• Lifespan: 12-15 years

Maltese

Another representative of the toy breed group, Maltese, proudly joins the list of the longest living small dog breeds. These royalties will be your family members for around 12-15 years. Maltese is also known for having a posh low-shedding long coat and being playful companions.

• Group: Toy
• Weight: 3 to 8 pounds
• Lifespan: 12-15 years

Miniature Dachshund

The famous ‘sausage dog’ is not just a star in the dog world due to its look but is also known for living longer than its furry buddies. Since there are two sizes of Dachshunds, the smaller-sized ones live longer. You’ll never get bored with this canine with a vivacious personality.

• Group: Hound
• Weight: up to 11 pounds
• Lifespan: 12-16 years

Australian Cattle Dog

Australian Cattle Dogs are intelligent, active, and well-built. They were initially used to handle herds of cattle and protect them from wolves and are still sometimes used as herding dogs these days. These sturdy canines have boundless energy and would always be the first to join any family activity.

• Group: Herding
• Weight: 35 to 50 pounds
• Lifespan: 12-16 years

Shiba Inu

If toy breeds are not for you, consider the longest living medium dog breeds that include Shiba Inu. These well-muscled dogs were first bred as hunters but are now adopted by the families as devoted and cute family members.

• Group: Non-sporting
• Weight: 17 (female) to 23 (male) pounds
• Lifespan: 13-16 years

Cockapoo

Being a crossbreed of Cocker Spaniel and Poodle, Cockapoo has gained the longevity of the Poodle. These pets can live from 13 to 16 years, so we add them to the longest living dog breed list. These canines are joyful, human-oriented but require extensive grooming due to the fur type.

• Group: Crossbreed
• Weight: 10 to 32 pounds
• Lifespan: 13-16 years

Alaskan Malamute

If you are ready to exercise your canine intensively, Alaskan Malamute is a good choice for your family. These playful and extremely active pets can live for around 14 years and will live through even the most severe cold. Malamutes are gentle, so they will gladly accompany you on a sofa at the end of the day and will be patiently waiting for cuddles.

• Group: Working
• Weight: 85 pounds (male), 75 pounds (female)
• Lifespan: 10-14 years

Anatolian Shepherd

Being one of the strongest and biggest dogs on our list, Anatolian Shepherd is also one of the longest living large dog breeds out there as well. Regardless of its size, this dog will be your reliable companion for around 13 years. They are known for being protective, strong, loyal, and patient. Make sure you get the best dry dog food for large breeds to prolong the lifespan of this giant.

• Group: Working
• Weight: 110-150 pounds (male), 80-120 pounds (female)
• Lifespan: 11-13 years

Doberman

Even though Doberman is not the longest living dog with a lifespan of around 12 years, we believe this is more than an average medium-to-large dog breed representative can make. Dobermans are not for everyone, they are fearless, well-built, and have an outstanding physique. Thanks to these traits, Dobermans are one of the best guard dog breeds.

• Group: Working
• Weight: 75-100 pounds (male), 60-90 pounds (female)
• Lifespan: 10-12 years

A number of research works show that dog size can define the longevity of your pet. An evolutionary biologist Professor Mark Elgar of the University of Melbourne’s School of Biosciences claims that large dogs age faster. It is explained by the fact that a larger dog requires more energy on its physiological processes; thus, it wears out more quickly.

Large dog breeds with longest life spans can make to 7 years on average, while small breeds can live twice as long, meaning they will be with you for 14-16 years.

But dog breed size is not the one defining factor. Working or high-performance canines live less because they exhaust themselves with intensive physical activities. You can support your pet with quality GNC dog food that is packed with vitamins and minerals to add some extra years to the lifespan of your pooch.