Special Report
The Shortest and Longest Living Dog Breeds in the World
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Dog owners will do anything to keep their furry, four-legged friend happy and healthy. Millennials spend over $1,200 per year on their pets, and most are willing to shell out thousands more to take care of their pet if they fall ill. The sad reality is that dogs have much shorter lifespans than people.
According to a study from the U.K., the median lifespan of a dog is 11.3 years. But no two breeds are the same. Some types of dog tend to live well into their teens, while others have a median lifespan of fewer than 10 years.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed a study published in the Journal of Small Animal Practice to determine the shortest and longest living dog breeds in the world. Breeds for which there was little data and breeds that are not recognized by the America Kennel Club were not considered.
Each breed of dog has different health needs and challenges. Some need specialized diets. Others need lots of exercise. Certain types of dogs, like Bernese Mountain Dogs, are especially prone to cancer, yet in breeds like the dachshund, cancer is relatively rare.
Numerous studies have determined that there is a significant link between the size of a dog and the size of its lifespan — larger dogs have noticeably shorter lifespans than smaller dogs, as they age at a faster rate.
Many of the dogs with the shortest lifespans are classified as either “large” or “giant” while lots of the longest living dogs are considered “small” and “toy” breeds. In addition to their longer lives, people may opt to get a smaller dog because they are more convenient to house, cheaper to feed, and many apartments have rental clauses barring dogs over a certain size. These are the most popular tiny dog breeds.
Dog owners must consider the health needs of the pet they plan to adopt — whether that is lots of exercise or special diets. They also must consider their own health. An estimated 15% of the population is allergic to dogs and cats, but there are options for them. No dog is completely hypoallergenic, but there are plenty of breeds that go well with allergy sufferers. These are the best dogs for people with allergies.
Click here to see the longest living dogs.
Click here to see the shortest living dogs.
In order to determine the shortest and longest living dog breeds in the world, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the study “Methods and mortality results of a health survey of purebred dogs in the UK,” published in the Journal of Small Animal Practice. Breeds for which there was little data or low response rates on surveys sent to owners were not considered. Breeds that are not officially recognized by the American Kennel Club were also not considered. Breed popularity data, as well as height and weight data, comes from the AKC. The height refers to the height of the dog’s shoulder.
40. Belgian shepherd
> Median lifespan: 12.5 years
> Breed popularity rank: 187 out of 193
> Height: 23.5 inches (male), 22 inches (female)
> Weight: 70-84 pounds (male), 57-71 pounds (female)
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39. Dalmatian
> Median lifespan: 12.5 years
> Breed popularity rank: 56 out of 193
> Height: 19-24 inches
> Weight: 45-70 pounds
38. Samoyed
> Median lifespan: 12.5 years
> Breed popularity rank: 59 out of 193
> Height: 21-23.5 inches (male), 19-21 inches (female)
> Weight: 45-65 pounds (male), 35-50 pounds (female)
37. Shetland sheepdog
> Median lifespan: 12.5 years
> Breed popularity rank: 25 out of 193
> Height: 13-16 inches
> Weight: 15-25 pounds
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36. Soft coated wheaten terrier
> Median lifespan: 12.5 years
> Breed popularity rank: 53 out of 193
> Height: 18-19 inches (male), 17-18 inches (female)
> Weight: 35-40 pounds (male), 30-35 pounds (female)
35. Siberian husky
> Median lifespan: 12.6 years
> Breed popularity rank: 14 out of 193
> Height: 21-23.5 inches (male), 20-22 inches (female)
> Weight: 45-60 pounds (male), 35-50 pounds (female)
34. Welsh springer spaniel
> Median lifespan: 12.6 years
> Breed popularity rank: 128 out of 193
> Height: 18-19 inches (male), 17-18 inches (female)
> Weight: 40-55 pounds (male), 35-50 pounds (female)
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33. Beagle
> Median lifespan: 12.7 years
> Breed popularity rank: 6 out of 193
> Height: 13 inches & under, 13-15 inches
> Weight: under 20 pounds (13 inches & under), 20-30 pounds (13-15 inches)
32. Collie
> Median lifespan: 12.7 years
> Breed popularity rank: 38 out of 193
> Height: 24-26 inches (male), 22-24 inches (female)
> Weight: 60-75 pounds (male), 50-65 pounds (female)
31. Dachshund
> Median lifespan: 12.7 years
> Breed popularity rank: 12 out of 193
> Height: 8-9 inches (standard), 5-6 inches (miniature)
> Weight: 16-32 pounds (standard), 11 pounds & under (miniature)
30. Norwegian buhund
> Median lifespan: 12.7 years
> Breed popularity rank: 165 out of 193
> Height: 17-18.5 inches (male), 16-17.5 inches (female)
> Weight: 31-40 pounds (male), 26-35 pounds (female)
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29. Welsh terrier
> Median lifespan: 12.7 years
> Breed popularity rank: 107 out of 193
> Height: 15 inches (male), proportionally smaller (female)
> Weight: 20 pounds, proportionally smaller (female)
28. Staffordshire bull terrier
> Median lifespan: 12.8 years
> Breed popularity rank: 80 out of 193
> Height: 14-16 inches
> Weight: 28-38 pounds (male), 24-34 pounds (female)
27. Whippet
> Median lifespan: 12.8 years
> Breed popularity rank: 61 out of 193
> Height: 19-22 inches (male), 18-21 inches (female)
> Weight: 25-40 pounds
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26. Manchester terrier
> Median lifespan: 12.8 years
> Breed popularity rank: 133 out of 193
> Height: 15-16 inches
> Weight: 12-22 pounds
25. Brittany
> Median lifespan: 12.9 years
> Breed popularity rank: 26 out of 193
> Height: 17.5-20.5 inches
> Weight: 30-40 pounds
24. Bichon frise
> Median lifespan: 12.9 years
> Breed popularity rank: 46 out of 193
> Height: 9.5-11.5 inches
> Weight: 12-18 pounds
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23. Miniature pinscher
> Median lifespan: 13.0 years
> Breed popularity rank: 70 out of 193
> Height: 10-12.5 inches
> Weight: 8-10 pounds
22. Schipperke
> Median lifespan: 13.0 years
> Breed popularity rank: 105 out of 193
> Height: 11-13 inches (male), 10-12 inches (female)
> Weight: 10-16 pounds
21. West Highland white terrier
> Median lifespan: 13.0 years
> Breed popularity rank: 42 out of 193
> Height: 11 inches (male). 10 inches, female
> Weight: 15-20 pounds
20. Papillon
> Median lifespan: 13.1 years
> Breed popularity rank: 54 out of 193
> Height: 8-11 inches
> Weight: 5-10 pounds
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19. Fox terrier
> Median lifespan: 13.1 years
> Breed popularity rank: 101 out of 193
> Height: 15.5 inches
> Weight: 18 pounds (male), 15-17 (female)
18. Norwegian elkhound
> Median lifespan: 13.2 years
> Breed popularity rank: 97 out of 193
> Height: 20.5 inches (male), 19.5 inches (female)
> Weight: 55 pounds (male), 48 pounds (female)
17. Shih-tzu
> Median lifespan: 13.2 years
> Breed popularity rank: 20 out of 193
> Height: 9-10.5 inches
> Weight: 9-16 pounds
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16. Bedlington terrier
> Median lifespan: 13.4 years
> Breed popularity rank: 141 out of 193
> Height: 15-17.5 inches
> Weight: 17-23 pounds
15. Norwich terrier
> Median lifespan: 13.4 years
> Breed popularity rank: 108 out of 193
> Height: 10 inches
> Weight: 12 pounds
14. Bearded collie
> Median lifespan: 13.5 years
> Breed popularity rank: 127 out of 193
> Height: 21-22 inches (male), 20-21 inches (female)
> Weight: 45-55 pounds
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13. Italian greyhound
> Median lifespan: 13.5 years
> Breed popularity rank: 73 out of 193
> Height: 13-15 inches
> Weight: 7-14 pounds
12. Basenji
> Median lifespan: 13.5 years
> Breed popularity rank: 87 out of 193
> Height: 17 inches (male), 16 inches (female)
> Weight: 24 pounds (male), 22 pounds (female)
11. Miniature poodle
> Median lifespan: 13.9 years
> Breed popularity rank: 7 out of 193
> Height: 10-15 inches
> Weight: 10-15 pounds
10. Border terrier
> Median lifespan: 14.0 years
> Breed popularity rank: 88 out of 193
> Height: 12-15 inches
> Weight: 13-15.5 pounds (male), 11.5-14 pounds (female)
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9. Cairn terrier
> Median lifespan: 14.0 years
> Breed popularity rank: 69 out of 193
> Height: 10 inches (male), 9.5 inches (female)
> Weight: 14 pounds (male), 13 pounds (female)
8. Australian silky terrier
> Median lifespan: 14.3 years
> Breed popularity rank: 112 out of 193
> Height: 9-10 inches
> Weight: 10 pounds
7. Lhasa apso
> Median lifespan: 14.3 years
> Breed popularity rank: 71 out of 193
> Height: 10-11 inches (male), slightly smaller (female)
> Weight: 12-18 pounds
6. Swedish vallhund
> Median lifespan: 14.4 years
> Breed popularity rank: 169 out of 193
> Height: 12.5-13.75 inches (male), 11.5-12.75 inches (female)
> Weight: 20-35 pounds
5. Tibetan spaniel
> Median lifespan: 14.4 years
> Breed popularity rank: 119 out of 193
> Height: 10 inches
> Weight: 9-15 pounds
4. Canaan dog
> Median lifespan: 14.6 years
> Breed popularity rank: 179 out of 193
> Height: 20-24 inches (male), 19-23 inches (female)
> Weight: 45-55 pounds (male), 35-45 pounds (female)
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3. Toy poodle
> Median lifespan: 14.6 years
> Breed popularity rank: 7 out of 193
> Height: No more than 10 inches
> Weight: 4-6 pounds
2. Irish terrier
> Median lifespan: 14.8 years
> Breed popularity rank: 116 out of 193
> Height: 18 inches
> Weight: 27 pounds (male), 25 pounds (female)
1. Lakeland terrier
> Median lifespan: 15.5 years
> Breed popularity rank: 147 out of 193
> Height: 14-15 inches (male), slightly smaller (female)
> Weight: 17 pounds (male), slightly smaller (female)
40. Havanese
> Median lifespan: 10.3 years
> Breed popularity rank: 24 out of 193
> Height: 8.5-11.5 inches
> Weight: 7-13 pounds
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39. Boxer
> Median lifespan: 10.3 years
> Breed popularity rank: 11 out of 193
> Height: 23-25 inches (male), 21.5-23.5 inches (female)
> Weight: 65-80 pounds (male), 50-65 pounds (female)
38. Otterhound
> Median lifespan: 10.2 years
> Breed popularity rank: 182 out of 193
> Height: 27 inches (male), 24 inches (female)
> Weight: 115 pounds (male), 80 pounds (female)
37. Chinese crested
> Median lifespan: 10.1 years
> Breed popularity rank: 79 out of 193
> Height: 11-13 inches
> Weight: 8-12 pounds
36. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
> Median lifespan: 10.0 years
> Breed popularity rank: 18 out of 193
> Height: 12-13 inches
> Weight: 13-18 pounds
35. Lowchen
> Median lifespan: 10.0 years
> Breed popularity rank: 168 out of 193
> Height: 12-14 inches
> Weight: 15 pounds
34. Giant schnauzer
> Median lifespan: 10.0 years
> Breed popularity rank: 78 out of 193
> Height: 25.5-27.5 inches (male), 23.5-25.5 inches (female)
> Weight: 60-85 pounds (male), 55-75 pounds (female)
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33. German wirehaired pointer
> Median lifespan: 10.0 years
> Breed popularity rank: 63 out of 193
> Height: 24-26 inches (male), minimum 22 inches (female)
> Weight: 50-70 pounds
32. Bull terrier
> Median lifespan: 10.0 years
> Breed popularity rank: 62 out of 193
> Height: 21-22 inches
> Weight: 50-70 pounds
31. Akita
> Median lifespan: 9.9 years
> Breed popularity rank: 47 out of 193
> Height: 26-28 inches (male), 24-26 inches (female)
> Weight: 100-130 pounds (male), 70-100 pounds (female)
30. Hungarian wirehaired vizsla
> Median lifespan: 9.8 years
> Breed popularity rank: 167 out of 193
> Height: 23-25 inches (male), 21.5-23 inches (female)
> Weight: 55-65 pounds (male), 45-55 pounds (female)
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29. Flat-coated retriever
> Median lifespan: 9.8 years
> Breed popularity rank: 91 out of 193
> Height: 23-24.5 inches (male), 22-23.5 inches (female)
> Weight: 60-70 pounds
28. Pomeranian
> Median lifespan: 9.7 years
> Breed popularity rank: 23 out of 193
> Height: 6-7 inches
> Weight: 3-7 pounds
27. Newfoundland
> Median lifespan: 9.7 years
> Breed popularity rank: 40 out of 193
> Height: 28 inches (male), 26 inches (female)
> Weight: 130-150 pounds (male), 100-120 pounds (female)
26. Great Pyrenees
> Median lifespan: 9.6 years
> Breed popularity rank: 66 out of 193
> Height: 27-32 inches (male), 25-29 inches (female)
> Weight: 100 pounds & up (male), 85 pounds & up (female)
25. Polish lowland sheepdog
> Median lifespan: 9.6 years
> Breed popularity rank: 170 out of 193
> Height: 18-20 inches (male), 17-19 inches (female)
> Weight: 30-50 pounds
24. Chow Chow
> Median lifespan: 9.4 years
> Breed popularity rank: 75 out of 193
> Height: 17-20 inches
> Weight: 45-70 pounds
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23. Irish water spaniel
> Median lifespan: 9.3 years
> Breed popularity rank: 159 out of 193
> Height: 22-24 inches (male), 21-23 inches (female)
> Weight: 55-68 pounds (male), 45-58 pounds (female)
22. Japanese Chin
> Median lifespan: 9.3 years
> Breed popularity rank: 104 out of 193
> Height: 8-11 inches
> Weight: 7-11 pounds
21. Komondor
> Median lifespan: 9.1 years
> Breed popularity rank: 173 out of 193
> Height: 27.5 minimum inches (male), 25.5 minimum inches (female)
> Weight: 100 pounds or more (male), 80 pounds or more (female)
20. Greyhound
> Median lifespan: 9.1 years
> Breed popularity rank: 145 out of 193
> Height: 28-30 inches (male), 27-28 inches (female)
> Weight: 65-70 pounds (male), 60-65 pounds (female)
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19. Borzoi
> Median lifespan: 9.1 years
> Breed popularity rank: 103 out of 193
> Height: 28 inches & up (male), 26 inches & up (female)
> Weight: 75-105 pounds (male), 60-85 pounds (female)
18. Spinone Italiano
> Median lifespan: 9.0 years
> Breed popularity rank: 109 out of 193
> Height: 23-27 inches (male), 22-25 inches (female)
> Weight: 10-12 years
17. French bulldog
> Median lifespan: 9.0 years
> Breed popularity rank: 4 out of 193
> Height: 11-13 inches
> Weight: under 28 pounds
16. Australian shepherd
> Median lifespan: 9.0 years
> Breed popularity rank: 15 out of 193
> Height: 20-23 inches (male), 18-21 inches (female)
> Weight: 50-65 pounds (male), 40-55 pounds (female)
15. Rottweiler
> Median lifespan: 8.9 years
> Breed popularity rank: 8 out of 193
> Height: 24-27 inches (male), 22-25 inches (female)
> Weight: 95-135 pounds (male), 80-100 pounds (female)
14. Cesky terrier
> Median lifespan: 8.4 years
> Breed popularity rank: 185 out of 193
> Height: 10-13 inches
> Weight: 14-24 pounds
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13. Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever
> Median lifespan: 8.0 years
> Breed popularity rank: 83 out of 193
> Height: 18-21 inches (male), 17-20 inches (female)
> Weight: 35-50 pounds
12. Bernese mountain dog
> Median lifespan: 8.0 years
> Breed popularity rank: 22 out of 193
> Height: 25-27.5 inches (male), 23-26 inches (female)
> Weight: 80-115 pounds (male), 70-95 pounds (female)
11. Bullmastiff
> Median lifespan: 7.5 years
> Breed popularity rank: 51 out of 193
> Height: 25-27 inches (male), 24-26 inches (female)
> Weight: 110-130 pounds (male), 100-120 pounds (female)
10. Leonberger
> Median lifespan: 7.1 years
> Breed popularity rank: 93 out of 193
> Height: 28-31.5 inches (male), 25.5-29.5 inches (female)
> Weight: 110-170 pounds (male), 90-140 pounds (female)
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9. Irish wolfhound
> Median lifespan: 7.0 years
> Breed popularity rank: 76 out of 193
> Height: 32 inches minimum (male), 30 inches minimum (female)
> Weight: 120 pounds (male), 105 pounds (female)
8. St. Bernard
> Median lifespan: 7.0 years
> Breed popularity rank: 48 out of 193
> Height: 28-30 inches (males), 26-28 inches (female)
> Weight: 140-180 pounds (male), 120-140 pounds (female)
7. Shiba Inu
> Median lifespan: 7.0 years
> Breed popularity rank: 44 out of 193
> Height: 14.5-16.5 inches (male), 13.5-15.5 inches (female)
> Weight: 23 pounds (male), 17 pounds (female)
6. Mastiff
> Median lifespan: 6.8 years
> Breed popularity rank: 29 out of 193
> Height: 30 inches & up (male), 27.5 inches & up (female)
> Weight: 160-230 pounds (male), 120-170 pounds (female)
5. Bloodhound
> Median lifespan: 6.8 years
> Breed popularity rank: 49 out of 193
> Height: 25-27 inches (male), 23-25 inches (female)
> Weight: 90-110 pounds (male), 80-100 pounds (female)
4. Great Dane
> Median lifespan: 6.5 years
> Breed popularity rank: 16 out of 193
> Height: 30-32 inches (male), 28-30 inches (female)
> Weight: 140-175 pounds (male), 110-140 pounds (female)
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3. Shar-Pei
> Median lifespan: 6.3 years
> Breed popularity rank: 64 out of 193
> Height: 18-20 inches
> Weight: 45-60 pounds
2. Bulldog
> Median lifespan: 6.3 years
> Breed popularity rank: 5 out of 193
> Height: 14-15 inches
> Weight: 50 pounds (male), 40 pounds (female)
1. Dogue de Bordeaux
> Median lifespan: 3.8 years
> Breed popularity rank: 67 out of 193
> Height: 23.27 inches (male), 23-26 inches (female)
> Weight: 110 pounds & up (male), 99 pounds & up (female)
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