In general, the average lifespan of a dog is said to be between 10 to 12 years. This article provides some information about canine life expectancy, that may vary with different breeds.
Chihuahuas are among the smallest, but longest living dog breeds. The average lifespan of a Chihuahua is between 15 to 20 years.
Have you ever heard of ‘Bluey’, the Australian cattle dog? Bluey is one of the longest living dogs, and he lived 29 years and 160 days. A Border Collie named ‘Bramble’ lived 27 years and 211 days. A dog named ‘Max’ (a beagle, dachshund and terrier mix), lived 29 years and 282 days. So, the lifespan of a dog can be as long as 29 years. However, this is not possible with each and every dog. The lifespan of a dog may vary with its breed, gender, and various other factors.
How long does a dog live? According to statistics, the average lifespan of a dog, irrespective of the breed, is found to be around 10 to 12 years. Studies show that some individuals may live up to 24 years, if provided with good care and proper nutrition. Apart from the degree of care they receive, there are various other factors that can affect a dog’s life expectancy. They include its size, gender, health conditions, etc. Usually, the life expectancy of a dog is primarily determined on the basis of its breed. Given below is a list of some of the common dog breeds and their average lifespan in years.
Average Life Expectancy by Breed
6 to 7 Years
- Mastiff
- Bulldog
- Great Dane
- Irish Wolfhound
8 to 9 Years
- Boxer
- Greyhound
- Bullmastiff
- Rottweiler
- Chow Chow
- Newfoundland
- Scottish Deerhound
- Bernese Mountain Dog
10 to 11 Years
- Doberman
- Dalmatian
- Weimaraner
- Giant Schnauzer
- Golden Retriever
- German Shepherd
- Doberman Pinscher
- Flat-coated Retriever
- Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Chesapeake Bay Retriever
12 to 13 Years
- Maltese
- Dachshund
- Poodle (Toy)
- Bichon Frise
- Basset Hound
- Afghan Hound
- Bearded Collie
- Airedale Terrier
- Brittany Spaniel
- Poodle (Standard)
- English Toy Spaniel
- Shetland Sheepdog
- Cardigan Welsh Corgi
- English Springer Spaniel
14 to 15 Years
- Pug
- Beagle
- Lhasa Apso
- Norfolk Terrier
- Tibetan Terrier
- Yorkshire Terrier
- Lancashire Heeler
- Labrador Retriever
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- American Cocker Spaniel
- West Highland White Terrier
15+ Years
- Shih Tzu
- Chihuahua
- Pomeranian
- Rough Collie
- Alaskan Klee Kai
- Jack Russell Terrier
- Australian Shepherd
Though every breed has an average life expectancy, some individuals may live longer, while some others may fall short. So the average lifespan of a dog may vary with different breeds, its gender, and many other factors.
Factors that Affect Dogs’ Life Expectancy
- The size of the dog is a major factor that determines its life expectancy. It has been observed that large-sized dogs have a shorter lifespan, as compared to small-sized dogs.
- According to statistics, female dogs outlive their male counterparts by an average timespan of around one and a half years, especially the spayed ones.
- Spaying or neutering, if done at a very young age, may positively affect the life expectancy of dogs. It has been suggested that these procedures may reduce the risk of cancer in ovaries, breasts, and testicles.
- Inbred dogs have a shorter lifespan when compared to cross-breeds. Extensive inbreeding is one of the reasons for genetic illnesses that are common to that particular breed.
- Above all, proper dog care is very much important as far as canine lifespan is concerned. A proper and nutritious diet and exercise, along with necessary health care can make your dog healthy and live longer.
In short, there are various factors that can positively or negatively affect the lifespan of a canine. Some of these factors (like genetics) cannot be rectified, but dog owners can take proper care of their pets, so that their canines live longer. Contact your vet, if you have any doubts regarding the physical condition and overall health of your dog.
