If You’re Searching For A Pup That’ll Be By Your Side For The Long Run, Here Are The Dog Breeds With The Longest Life Spans
Dogs bring lots of love, cuddles, and happy memories in their lifetimes. But the unfortunate truth is that dogs live only a fraction of the years that make up the lifespan of the average human.
We all want our four-legged friends to be in our lives for as long as possible. You can’t predict the age your dog will reach, but some breeds typically live to be older than others.
So, if you’re looking for a long-time pal, check out these breeds with surprising longevity. Most of the dogs on the list are smaller. In general, small dogs live longer than big dogs.
Science shows that larger dogs exert more energy to function, which causes their bodies to wear out and age faster than pint-sized pups.
Chihuahua
Many sources consider chihuahuas to be the longest-living dog breed. They are tiny canines, weighing no more than six pounds, but they have huge personalities.
Unlike other purebreds, chihuahuas don’t have a lot of life-threatening health issues. With regular exercise and a healthy diet, a chihuahua can live between fourteen and sixteen years.
Maltese
The Maltese dog is a small, elegant breed known for its long, white, silky fur. Underneath their all-white coats, these pups have sweet, affectionate, gentle, and playful personalities. They were popular in Ancient Rome and are still favored by many pet parents today. A Maltese dog is expected to live between twelve and fifteen years.
lenkadan – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual dog
Australian Cattle Dog
The biggest breed on the list is the Australian cattle dog. Despite weighing up to 50 pounds, they are relatively healthy and have a life expectancy of thirteen to fifteen years. These dogs were raised to drive cattle over long distances and through rough terrain, so they are sturdy, strong, and agile.
The oldest Australian cattle dog lived to be 29, which was marked in the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest dog of all time.
Beagle
Beagles are described as merry, friendly, loving, and companionable, making them great family dogs. They also have a keen sense of smell due to the fact that they were originally developed for hunting. A beagle’s average lifespan is fifteen years.
Dachshund
Although the dachshund may be small and have short legs, it has a loud bark, so don’t let its size fool you. Dachshunds are smart, vigilant, adventurous, and exceptionally brave, which are qualities that actually make them wonderful watchdogs.
They tend to live between twelve and sixteen years but may develop back problems as they age.
Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire terriers, or Yorkies, as they’re often called, may look dainty and delicate, but they’ve got a lot of spunk and spirit, showcased through their shrill barks and confident personalities.
They like to do a lot of chasing but can be cuddly when it’s time. Yorkies live for an average of eleven to fifteen years.
Toy Poodle
Toy poodles tend to live long lives, with an average lifespan of sixteen years. As a breed, they are intelligent and easily trained. They can play with children for hours, so they would be great pets for families.
If you want a bigger dog, standard poodles enjoy a similar life expectancy of ten to eighteen years.
Pomeranian
The Pomeranian dog can be traced back to the powerful, early sled dogs of the Arctic. They are very energetic, playful, and sociable. Their smaller size makes them the ideal playmate and easily portable.
Luckily, Poms have a lifespan of about sixteen years.
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