Every dog owner has their own reasons for getting a pet, whether it is companionship, protection, or simply to have a furry friend to walk with. Each different breed comes with perks and challenges, and owners must be prepared to accommodate each type of dog’s unique health requirements to maximize their lifespan, because the reality is that some dogs are genetically predisposed to live much longer than others.
In order to determine the shortest and longest living dog breeds in the world, 24/7 Tempo 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.
Numerous studies have determined that there is a significant link between the size of a dog and the length of its lifespan — larger dogs have noticeably shorter lifespans than smaller dogs, as they age at a faster rate. Yet size and lifespan do not correlate exactly, as certain types of dogs are especially prone to maladies like cancer or heart problems.
Pet owners may choose smaller dogs over larger ones because, in addition to their longer lifespans, they are more convenient to house, cheaper to feed, and many apartments do not allow dogs over a certain size. Yet many Americans still choose medium or large size dogs — the majority of the 10 most popular dogs tend to reach 50 pounds or more at full maturity. These are the most popular dog breeds in America.
Dog owners must consider the health needs of the pet they plan to bring home — whether that is lots of exercise or a special diet. They also must consider their own health. An estimated 10-20% of the population is allergic to dogs and cats, although there are still options. No dog is completely hypoallergenic, but there are plenty of breeds that live well with allergy sufferers. These are the most allergy-friendly dog breeds.
Click here to see the longest living dogs.
Click here to see the shortest living dogs.
Longest living dogs:
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
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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)
Shortest living dogs:
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
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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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