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List of Dog breeds that live the longest

All dogs go to heaven. But according to a new study of nearly 600,000 British dogs from more than 150 breeds, a bulldog might head there years before a Border terrier.

By Ground report
New Update
List of Dog breeds that live the longest

All dogs go to heaven. But according to a new study of nearly 600,000 British dogs from more than 150 breeds, a bulldog might head there years before a Border terrier.

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The researchers found that large breeds and breeds with flattened faces have shorter average lifespans than smaller dogs and those with elongated snouts. They also discovered that female dogs live slightly longer than males.

A recent study by the University of Liverpool and the Dog Trust association has shed some light on this. The study looked at factors like the dog’s size, sex, and even the shape of its nose to see how these might affect its lifespan.

The results? Generally, small dogs with big noses live the longest. Take a female dachshund, for example. If all goes well, she could be your companion for a very long time.

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Photo Credit: Chevanon Photography/pexels

The researchers hope their findings will help future dog owners make informed decisions. But they also stress the importance of considering the ethical implications. It’s one thing not to encourage breeding dogs that are likely to suffer from health problems. It’s another to ignore breeds that might not live as long due to their physical traits. And let’s not forget, luck also plays a part in how long our furry friends stay with us.

Top 10 breeds, average lifespans

Breed Average Lifespan (years)
Lancashire Heeler 15.4
Tibetan Spaniel 15.2
Bolognese 14.9
Shiba Inu 14.6
Papillon 14.5
Havanese 14.5
Lakeland Terrier 14.2
Coton de Tulear 14.2
Border Terrier 14.2
Schipperke 14.2
Large Munsterlander 14.1
Lhasa Apso 14
Swedish Vallhund 14
German Spitz Mittel 14
Norwich Terrier 14
Australian Cattle Dog 14
Poodle 14
Cairn Terrier 14
Italian Greyhound 14
Miniature Dachshund 14
Welsh Springer Spaniel 14
Lowchen 13.9
Bearded Collie 13.9
Belgian Tervuren 13.8
Parson Russell Terrier 13.8
Finnish Lapphund 13.8
Bracco Italiano 13.8
Welsh Terrier 13.8
Tibetan Terrier 13.8
Australian Shepherd 13.7
Miniature Pinscher 13.7
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier 13.7
Bedlington Terrier 13.7
Spanish Water Dog 13.7
Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen 13.7
Wire Fox Terrier 13.5
English Springer Spaniel 13.5
Irish Terrier 13.5
Norfolk Terrier 13.5
Sussex Spaniel 13.5
Vizsla 13.5
Chinese Crested 13.4
Whippet 13.4
Shetland Sheepdog 13.4
West Highland White Terrier 13.4
German Shorthaired Pointer 13.4
Brussels Griffon 13.3
Miniature Schnauzer 13.3
American Cocker Spaniel 13.3
Collie 13.3
Jack Russell Terrier 13.3
Silky Terrier 13.3
Puli 13.3
Yorkshire Terrier 13.3
English Cocker Spaniel 13.3
Tibetan Mastiff 13.3
Saluki 13.3
Pekingese 13.3
Dalmatian 13.2
Dachshund 13.2
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever 13.2
Polish Lowland Sheepdog 13.2
Pembroke Welsh Corgi 13.2
Golden Retriever 13.2
Cardigan Welsh Corgi 13.1
English Setter 13.1
Border Collie 13.1
Field Spaniel 13.1
Sealyham Terrier 13.1
Labrador Retriever 13.1
Samoyed 13.1
Maltese 13.1
Toy Manchester Terrier 13
Foxhound 13
German Wirehaired Pointer 13
Standard Schnauzer 13
Japanese Spitz 13
Portuguese Water Dog 13
Norwegian Elkhound 13
Toy Fox Terrier 12.9
Irish Setter 12.9
Weimaraner 12.8
Dandie Dinmont Terrier 12.8
Shih Tzu 12.8
Scottish Terrier 12.7
Briard 12.6
Beagle 12.5
Basset Hound 12.5
American Staffordshire Terrier 12.5
Bichon Frise 12.5
Japanese Chin 12.5
Kerry Blue Terrier 12.4
Gordon Setter 12.4
Skye Terrier 12.4
Keeshond 12.3
Clumber Spaniel 12.3
Miniature Bull Terrier 12.2
Pomeranian 12.2
Curly-Coated Retriever 12.2
Old English Sheepdog 12.1
Chow Chow 12.1
Basenji 12.1
Giant Schnauzer 12.1
Glen Of Imaal Terrier 12.1
Crossbreed 12
Airedale Terrier 12
Bull Terrier 12
Canaan Dog 12
Staffordshire Bull Terrier 12
Belgian Malinois 12
Borzoi 12
Kelpie 12
Rhodesian Ridgeback 12
Spinone Italiano 11.9
Siberian Husky 11.9
Chihuahua 11.8
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 11.8
Boston Terrier 11.8
Flat-Coated Retriever 11.7
Pug 11.6
Chesapeake Bay Retriever 11.6
Greyhound 11.5
Akita 11.4
German Shepherd Dog 11.3
Boxer 11.3
American EskimoDog 11.3
Alaskan Malamute 11.3
Bouvier des Flandres 11.3
Doberman Pinscher 11.2
Afghan Hound 11.1
Brittany 11.1
Dogue de Bordeaux 11.1
Newfoundland 11
Great Pyrenees 10.9
Black Russian Terrier 10.9
Irish Water Spaniel 10.8
Chinese Shar-Pei 10.6
Rottweiler 10.6
Great Dane 10.6
Scottish Deerhound 10.5
Bullmastiff 10.2
Anatolian Shepherd 10.1
Bernese Mountain Dog 10.1
Leonberger 10
Pharaoh Hound 10
Irish Wolfhound 9.9
Bulldog 9.8
French Bulldog 9.8
Affenpinscher 9.3
Bloodhound 9.3
Neapolitan Mastiff 9.3
Saint Bernard 9.3
Mastiff 9
Cane Corso 8.1
Presa Canario 7.7
Caucasian Shepherd Dog 5.4

Figures on the life expectancy of dogs

In a recent study, researchers tracked half a million dogs in the UK. This allowed them to work out the average lifespan for each breed, taking into account factors like sex and size.

On average, dogs live for about 12.5 years. Female dogs tend to live a bit longer, with an average lifespan of 12.7 years, compared to 12.4 years for males.

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Dog Breeds Brimming With Health & Vitality. Photo credit: rawpixel.com 

These averages can vary a lot between breeds and sizes. For instance, French Bulldogs typically live for about 9.8 years. On the other hand, Lancashire Heelers can live up to 15.4 years.

The study also found that Labradors are the most popular breed in the UK. They have an average lifespan of 13.1 years.

What factors influence?

Larger dogs with snub noses turned out to have a shorter life expectancy. Additionally, we know that they tend to experience many more health problems throughout their lives.

Certain dogs, known as brachycephalic dogs, have a short head, flat face, and small nostrils. These physical traits can lead to breathing problems, which can make these dogs get tired easily and even faint. This is why these dogs usually don’t live as long.

Interestingly, these dogs often look cute to us because their flat noses make them look like small children. This has led to these breeds being very popular and often bred, despite the health problems they can have.

Knowing how long different breeds of dogs live can be useful. But remember, these are just averages. Your pet could live longer or shorter than the average for its breed, size, or nose shape. So, it’s not a good idea to choose a pet based only on these averages.

The study also found that purebred dogs tend to live longer than mixed breeds. This might make you think it’s better to get a purebred dog. But it’s important to note that this includes breeds that have been deliberately mixed to keep certain traits, like the flat nose that can cause health problems.

Even Queen Elizabeth II has dogs that are a mix of different breeds. These dogs, called dorgis, have been bred in palaces for many years. They’re not the result of stray dogs falling in love. These dogs probably wouldn’t live less long than purebred dogs, as long as they have a good home. So, let’s keep that in mind.

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