Dogs are a beloved pet! That is why there is the saying, “dogs are a man’s best friend.” But the sad thing is people normally live a longer lifespan than dogs, so some dog owners may want to choose the longest living dog breeds.
Table of Contents
- Top 20 Longest Living Dog Breeds
- 1. Chihuahuas
- 2. Jack Russells
- 3. Australian Cattle Dogs
- 4. Poodles
- 5. Beagles
- 6. Dachshunds
- 7. Shih Tzus
- 8. Pomeranians
- 9. Yorkshire Terriers
- 10. Lhasa Apsos
- 11. Malteses
- 12. Maltipoos
- 13. Bichon Frises
- 14. Schnauzers
- 15. Fox Terriers
- 16. Cardigan Welsh Corgis
- 17. Golden Retrievers
- 18. Australian Shepherds
- 19. New Guinea Singing Dog
- 20. Shiba Inus
Top 20 Longest Living Dog Breeds
Here are mentioned the top longest living dog breeds small to large:
1. Chihuahuas
In most cases, the smaller or toy breeds of dogs are the ones that tend to live the longest. One of the ones many people like is Chihuahuas. There are several types of chihuahuas, both long and short haired. Plus they are quite small and get up to around seven pounds, so they are easy to keep in a small apartment.
Believe it or not, they act much fiercer than they are and think they are miniature guard dogs. They normally bond to one person or a family and may not like strangers very much.
Average lifespan: 17 years
2. Jack Russells
Yet another pup in the small dog category is the Jack Russell terrier. They are quite smart and lively little dogs and have a lot of energy. Plus they are not known for having a lot of genetic diseases or other bad health issues.
They came from breeding other types of terriers in the 19th century and are credited to Reverend John Russell for the origination of the breed. They are sometimes confused with Parson Russell terriers but are a slightly different breed.
Average lifespan: 14 years
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3. Australian Cattle Dogs
A dog named Bluey, who was an Australian Cattle Dog is credited with living the longest of any known dog. He lived to be 29 years old, but most of this breed lives at least about 15 years. These dogs are kind of herding dogs.
They originate from Australia and were used, as their name says, to herd cows. They have a short coat of fur and come in brown or black with white throughout their coat.
They are very smart, as well as can be a bit stubborn but if you structure their training they respond well to learning commands. They bond to owners but can be nippy with small children. They do sometimes have hereditary issues like blindness or deafness in some cases, so be careful of the breeding of any dog you get. They are also called red heelers or blue heelers.
Average lifespan: 15 years
4. Poodles
Poodles are a type of water dog, the smaller ones are said to come from France, while others say the larger ones came from Germany.
There are four sizes: Toy (6 to 9 lbs.), Teacup(5-7 lbs.), Standard (45-80 lbs.), and Miniature (14-18 lbs.). They are quite smart dogs and can be taught tricks easily.
They are considered great for homes with kids and are easy to train. In the past, they were used in circuses. One time there was even a team of poodles that competed in the Alaskan dog sled race called the Iditarod.
Average lifespan: 12-18 years
5. Beagles
The beagle comes in second for holding a record of being the oldest lived dog. A dog names Butch from the United States is said to have live to the age of 28, but most live up to 16 years.
They are considered to be an excellent hunting breed, are very playful, and active. They also don’t have a lot of inherited type diseases so that is great for living longer. They originated in Great Britain around 1830.
Average lifespan: 12-16 years
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6. Dachshunds
These dogs come in third for setting the record of the longest living dog, with one named Chanel reaching 21. There are two kinds, Standard (16 to 32 lbs.) and Miniature (less than 12lbs.).
Dachshunds are additionally called wiener dogs, badger dogs (Germany), and the sausage dog. It comes in either short or long-haired varieties, as well as smooth and wire haired. They can be black, brown, or a mixture of both in most cases, as well as red, cream, and tan mixes. They were bred to hunt rabbits, badgers, and other small game.
They are very long with short legs, and since they can have back problems it is better if they don’t have to go up and downstairs a lot., is a short-legged, long-bodied, hound-type dog breed. They may be smooth-haired, wire-haired, or long-haired.
Average lifespan: 13 years
7. Shih Tzus
Shih Tzus come from Asia and originated in Tibet. Some think they were developed by crossing Lhasa Apsos with Pekingese dogs. They have a long silky coat which you must brush often or they will develop bad matts.
They have a short snout, along with round and big eyes, and their ears are floppy and a curly tail. They are considered to be in the toy size category and range from 9 to 12 lbs.
They are playful but known not to mind very well so training should start early. However they are calm and friendly, so that is a plus. They come in many different colors. Since they must be groomed often, this can get expensive, which is something to take into consideration when choosing a dog.
Average lifespan: 10 to 16 years
8. Pomeranians
Pomeranians’ name comes from an area on Poland and Germany’s borders. They are sometimes called a Pom and originated from breeding Spitz varieties of dogs. They are another dog in the Toy size category, getting between three and seven pounds and between eight and 14 inches tall.
They have a thick double layered coat, a ruff around the neck, and feathery hindquarters. Grooming is minimal but should be done every few months and they do shed twice a year.
They come in several colors such as white, brown, orange or red, cream, sable, blue, as well as mixes of black and tan or brown and tan, brindle, as well as parti, and spotted. Orange is the most common color.
These pups are usually friendly but are known not to get along with other dogs in some cases. They also get defensive of their own territories. They are smart and easy to train but must be socialized well because they can also be stubborn.
They are normally fairly healthy, but some issues that may occur in this breed include dislocated knees or collapse of the trachea.
Average lifespan: 12 to 16 years
9. Yorkshire Terriers
Yorkshire Terrier, also called Yorkies, is considered to be one of the tiniest breeds of dog. They originated in the 19th century and are named after the town of Yorkshire in England. It only gets up to seven pounds.
Their main colors are black and tan coats and can also be blonde or silver-grey. Their coat is long and parted in the middle with hair that’s silky, fine, glossy, and straight.
They do not shed as much as some breeds which is a good thing if you don’t like cleaning up hair. Some claim they are hypoallergenic, while other people have said they can cause allergies, but experts are mixed in their opinion of this fact.
They do tend to have separation anxiety, which is something to consider when picking a dog breed to own, plus they are said to be feisty, protective, attention seeking, and curious. They are not recommended for families with small kids but are great with older people or kids over the age of ten.
They are said to bark a lot, but if you give them things to do and mentally stimulate them, they will be better dogs. Since they are little, they are easy to keep in apartments and travel well. As for health issues, some tend to get bronchitis, cataracts, and some are said to have digestive issues.
Average lifespan: 13 to 20 years
10. Lhasa Apsos
Lhasa Apsos are small dogs which have long hair, bangs over the eyes, strong loins, whiskers, and a beard too, as well as an underbite. They also look sort of like a tiny lion. They are considered as good companions and originated in Tibet. They reach between ten and 14 lbs.
However, they are also considered to be stubborn, but bond well with their people yet don’t like strangers. They are also independent and tough.
When it comes to taking care of them, you need to brush them several times a week and take them on short walks, but they can’t tolerate being left outdoors all the time.
Some of their health issues include knee dislocations, retinal atrophy, as well as other hip, eye, and knee issues, so be aware of their breeding background.
Average lifespan: 15- 20 years old
11. Malteses
Malteses are made for those who want a true lap dog. They originated in the island of Malta and are thought to have been brought elsewhere by sailors in 1500 BC, so are an ancient breed of dog.
They have straight, long, and white hair and are considered to be quite friendly, smart, gentle, and lovable. Even so, they are not recommended if you have small kids. Also, they will bark at a stranger. They get to between eight and 10 inches tall and weigh up to seven lbs.
Possible genetic issues could be deafness, problems with their teeth, and shaker syndrome, as well as knee dislocations and thyroid issues, so talk to your vet if you are thinking of getting one.
Average lifespan: 15 years
12. Maltipoos
These are a cross of a Maltese and a Poodle. They take on characteristics of both dogs and usually have a good outlook for any health issues.
Like the Poodle, there are toy, standard and mini sizes. It’s said they are hypoallergenic so are a good choice if you are allergic to dog dander.
Average Lifespan: 12 to 15 years
13. Bichon Frises
Bichon Frise is another popular small dog that is hypoallergenic and gets between seven and 12 lbs. They originated in the Canary Island of Tenerife, and around 1300 sailors from Italy are thought to have brought them to Europe with them. They showed up in the States in the 1950s.
They look sort of like a powder puff and have a soft expression that is very endearing. Their coat has a dense undergrowth with a coarse, curly white outer layer.
It is considered great for families with children. They are said to be friendly, affectionate, playful, and great with kids and other pets.
However, they shouldn’t be left alone or they are known to bark a lot. They can’t live outside and need to be indoor only. Health wise they are prone to knee issues, allergies, cataracts, hip dysplasia, liver issues, and some eye issues.
Average Lifespan: 13 years
14. Schnauzers
Schnauzers come from Germany. There are three sizes: standard, giant, and miniature. The standard is between 30 and 45 pounds, the giant is between 55 and 80 pounds, and the miniature is between 14 and 20 pounds.
They come in salt and pepper, black, as well as silver and black with a double coat, with the top being wiry and the undercoat is very soft. They are smart and independent so start training them early. They are also protective of their people and known to bark a lot at strangers.
Average Lifespan: 12 years
15. Fox Terriers
There are two kinds of Fox Terriers: Smooth and Wire. They get between fifteen and twenty pounds. They were bred during the 19th century and originated from other kinds of British terrier dogs.
Both have some similar features, but their coat and markings are different. The smooth of course has a smooth coat while the wire is a wiry coat.
They are very active and need lots of exercises, and can be very good with their own people but not good with small kids or pets since they have a hunting and chasing instinct. Some may not like the fact that they love to dig and tend to bark a lot. Healthwise they are pretty healthy, but the smooth type is more prone to Myasthenia gravis, a kind of neuromuscular syndrome.
Average lifespan: 13-15 years
16. Cardigan Welsh Corgis
These were originally bred in Britain for herding cows. They are considered to be affectionate and hardy and usually enjoy good health. But they are prone to back and hip issues as they get older.
They have a double layered coat and some of the accepted colors include red, brindle, sable, black, blue merle, and black with tan. They get between 30 and 38 pounds.
They are smart, affectionate, and good companion dogs as they are dedicated to their people. They tend to do great in agility trials or flyball games for dogs.
Average lifespan: 13 years
17. Golden Retrievers
Golden Retrievers are quite popular, according to the American Kennel Club. They are very lovable, gentle, and smart and make good family pets. They also are a healthy breed and get between 55 and 75 pounds. They were originated in Great Britain and used as gun dogs for hunting birds.
In some cases due to inbreeding, they do tend to be prone to allergic skin disorders, elbow and hip dysplasia, diabetes, eye troubles and can be snappy, so be sure to do your research with the breeders and the dog’s background and temperament.
Average lifespan: 12 years
18. Australian Shepherds
These are also called Aussies and were bred originally in the US in California despite their name. The Australian part of their name is due to some shepherds from Australia being used to originate the breed.
They are said to be very smart and have a lot of energy. They were originally bred for herding and do well in agility trials. They get between 35 and 70 pounds. Some lines are prone to eye problems and epilepsy so check out the breeders before getting one.
They are considered good pets, are smart and friendly, but could have a tendency to try to herd small children.
Average lifespan: 15 years
19. New Guinea Singing Dog
You may not have heard of this pup. It is very rare! It comes from New Guinea and the singing part is due to a special kind of howl they make. Only around a hundred are known to exist. They are very gentle and friendly.
These pups have a broad head and short legs. They get to between 12 and 18 inches tall and between 20 and 31 pounds. Strangely, they don’t have dewclaws like most dogs do.
Average lifespan: 15 years
20. Shiba Inus
Shiba Inus are more like cats than dogs because they tend to lick themselves clean like a cat does. They come from Japan. They get between 18 and 22 pounds. They are said to be agile, bold, and good natured, but also very stubborn.
They are also healthy for the most part, but some lines are prone to knee, hip, and eye issues. There is a record of one living to be 26 years old, but most live a bit less.
Average lifespan: 12 to 15 years
Please remember that in order for a dog to live a full and enriched life, they need proper veterinary care, suitable living conditions, regular exercise, and a balanced diet.
Some of these breeds are prone to cancer, so this is how to be prepared.
Graphic created by PetCure Oncology.
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