What are the longest living dog breeds?

What are the longest living dog breeds? It’s a fact of animal-loving life that us humans will outlive our furry friends, so it’s only natural for new pet parents to be curious about how long they’ve got with their precious pet family. So, while their life expectancy shouldn’t affect your choices on whether to welcome a pup into your home, planning ahead is all part of responsible pet parenting. 

And after a little digging, we found that learning about the longest living dog breeds is a little more complicated than first glances might tell us. It’s widely known that smaller breeds tend to live longer (on the whole). But knowing that you may not be looking to welcome only toy breeds into your pack, we’ve done things a little differently. So, instead of listing every small breed, their aunts and leaving no room for heftier pups, we’ve given you some of the longest living dogs from each size group - small, medium and large. 

And just a quick note - like with anything relying on such varied statistical evidence, it’s pretty difficult to know the exact lifespan of each breed. So even though we’d love to adopt hundreds of breeds to track their years, it would have been a passion project of a lifetime (literally). Instead, we’ve reviewed various reputable sources, including the American Kennel Club for our data. So if you’re a pet parent-to-be or you’re house sitting soon and simply curious about your new pal, let’s get into it…

How long do small dog breeds live?

Scientists still aren’t certain on why smaller dogs live so much longer than larger dogs, but what we can confirm is that they’re equally adorable and just as mischievous! So without further Poodling about, let’s get into the (smallest) longest living dog breeds.

1. Chihuahua

With a way above the average lifespan, Chihuahuas are one of the longest living dog breeds. It’s no wonder these pint-sized cuties are so popular in the world of domesticated dogs - those beady eyes, that button nose and their spunky personalities speak for themselves! And if you're interested in other dogs that look like foxes, check out our blog where we explore the Chihuahua's likeness to Fennec foxes and a whole lot more.

Lifespan: 15-17 years.

2. Chinese Crested

The Chinese Crested isn’t only one of the longest living dogs, they also don’t shed very much, so they’re perfect for anyone with allergies. Almost instantly recognizable for their nearly hairless bodies, feathered tails and tousled, stand-up head hair, Chinese Crested are one of the most unique-looking longest living small dog breeds.

Lifespan: 15-17 years.

3. Pomeranian

When we say fluffball, we mean it when it comes to Pomeranians! Living up to 16 years old, these puffy, fluffy cuties are one of the longest living dogs going and one of the smallest. As pups, these cuties weigh in at just a few ounces and can fit into the palm of your hand!

Lifespan: 14-16 years.

4. Rat Terrier

If you’re after a seriously long companionship, Rat Terriers live way above the average lifespan of our four-legged friends, with some sticking around for up to 18 years! Somewhat resembling a long-legged Jack Russell with pointy ears, these are seriously underrated cuties.

Lifespan: 12-18 years.

How long do medium-sized dog breeds live?

Maybe toy breeds don’t get your tail wagging, and giant breeds just take up far too much space (not to mention, the drool!). So if you’re looking for a happy medium, take a look at these medium-sized longest living dog breeds (and good news for you, they hang about!).

1. Cocker Spaniel

They're those kind-natured sporting dogs with the best ears in the world! The Cocker Spaniel is one of the longest living dog breeds of medium size, and we can safely say that they make for lovely, super soft-coated companions.

Lifespan: 13-15 years.

2. Australian Shepherd dog

Australian Shepherd dogs may not have the longest life expectancies, but the longest living dog was of this adorable breed! In 1939, Bluey reached the ripe old age of 29 years and 5 months - seriously impressive for a medium-sized dog with a maximum life expectancy of 15 years!

Lifespan: 12-15 years.

3. Welsh Springer Spaniel

These sprightly pups with those signature, glossy Spaniel coats typically live up to 15 years,  making them one of the longest living dogs (in the world of medium pups). According to the AKC, the history of the Welsh Springer goes back as far as 7000 BC!

Lifespan: 13-15 years.

4. Poodle

Poodles: seen as the fashionistas of the canine world, we think they deserve a bit of a rebrand as the smartest! Poodles are seriously trainable, highly intelligent, and great for people with allergies, so it’s no surprise that Doodle dogs are on the rise.

Lifespan: 12-15 years.

How long do large dog breeds live?

Large and giant dog breeds tend to have shorter lifespans, but there are a few that can enjoy a relatively long life, despite their size (we’ve listed these below). Scientists have considered why larger dogs tend to have shorter life expectancies, and to be frank, they’re still not sure! 

Some of the ideas thrown around include the age-related diseases that larger dogs encounter - it turns out that they experience them sooner than smaller dogs. Another idea is that larger dogs grow from puppy to adult much faster than smaller dogs, something that scientists think could increase the chances of abnormal cell growth and risk of death from various cancers. 

Larger breeds we know and love with short life spans include the Great Dane, who only live between 8 and 10 years, and Bernese Mountain Dogs, who are with us for between 7 and 10 years. Sad talk aside, let’s get into some of the longest living large dog breeds…

1. Belgian Malinois

For rather large dogs (weighing in at up to 80 pounds, in fact), Belgian Malinois have an impressive life expectancy of up to 16 years - that makes them one of the longest living dog breeds in the world of larger breeds. Often confused with German Shepherds, check out our blog to tell the difference between the Belgian Malinois vs. German Shepherd.

Lifespan: 14-16 years.

2. Irish Setter

Weighing up to 70 pounds and living up to 15 years, Irish Setters have an impressive lifespan, making them one of the longest living dogs if we’re considering larger breeds. And did you know that the earliest ancestors of these luscious-locked cuties weren’t that signature all-red color, but were instead red and white?

Lifespan: 12-15 years.

3. Akita

While in photos they might look rather dumpy and stocky, Akita dogs weigh in at an impressive 130 pounds - on the larger end of the scale then! That’s why it’s so impressive that these fluffballs are one of the longest living dog breeds in the large category, living up to 15 years old.

Lifespan: 11-15 years.

4. Anatolian Shepherd

These colossally cute pups live an impressively long life for such hefty hounds! Known for their noble, protective nature, Anatolian Shepherds have been aiding with cheetah conservation since 1994 in Namibia.

Lifespan: 11-13 years.

What are the smartest dog breeds?

If you’re thinking about adopting a new pooch, their ability to pick up your house rules is sure to be on your radar. Maybe you want to teach them a few tricks, or even agility training! Either way, some breeds are more intelligent than others, so check out this list of the smartest dog breeds before adopting your new furry best friend.