Dogs That Live The Longest
When first deciding to get a dog, there’s normally a lot spent on researching which breed is right for you. Some breeds tend to be easier to train, some are generally friendly, so they might be more suited to families with young children.
They also all vary when it comes to how hyper they are and how much energy they have, which should be a huge consideration for how much you’d be able to walk them.
When you’ve made the decision to get a dog, another big factor is how long their lifespan is. Although the end of a dog's life is a heart-breaking experience, it’s unavoidable so you should be aware of how long they live for on average so as a responsible pet owner you can look after them as best as you can.
We’ll be taking a look at the top 11 dog breeds that have the longest life-span and characteristics to expect from them.
Yorkshire Terrier
First up is the Yorkshire Terrier with an average lifespan of 14-16 years. Although this popular breed is often pampered today, people used their ancestors to hunt rats. It’s normal for little dogs to live longer than larger breeds as big dogs age faster.
A Yorkshire Terrier’s temperament is:
- Bold
- Intelligent
- Energetic
- Confident
- Affectionate and want attention
Poodle
The poodle is typically recognised by its curly hair. They can be big or small with most toy-sized ones living between 14-16 years and the larger standards for about 11-13 years. They’re increasing in popularity within mixed breeds, to name a few: Cockapoo, Cavapoo, Labradoodle, Poochon, Sproodle Maltipoo and more. The list is very long!
Their span in sizes and their curly coat that doesn’t malt makes them the ideal dog to crossbreed with.
A Poodle’s temperament is:
- Active
- Alert
- Trainable
- Loyal
- Instinctual
Maltese
The Maltese have an average life span of 12-15 years. They are an elegant breed than have been around for 28 centuries. Although the Egyptians worshipped dogs and the Greek-Roman philosophers wrote about them, they too, like the Yorkshire Terrier used to hunt rats.
A Maltese’s temperament is:
- Intelligent
- Affectionate
- Energetic
- Responsive
- Trusting
Miniature Schnauzer
A good family dog, the miniature Schnauzer typically lives 12 -14 years. Although they have a good life span, they can be prone to pancreatitis caused by high levels of fat in their blood, so may need a special diet.
They are sturdy muscular dogs and their temperament is:
- Intelligent
- Courageous
- Playful
- Sociable
- Feisty
Boston Terrier
Known as the American Gentleman due to their tuxedo-like markings, the Boston Terrier usually live for about 14 years. Their large eyes can cause health problems, as they stick out they are prone to the wind, sun and dust harming them.
The Boston Terrier’s temperament is:
- Lively
- Smart
- Friendly
- Playful
- Affectionate
Shih Tzu
Almost unknown in the Western world unto the 20th century, Shih Tzu’s usually live to about 11 – 14 years. They typically don’t have many health problems other than skin irritations.
Like the Boston Terrier, their prominent eyes make them more vulnerable to the sun, dust and wind.
The Shih Tzu’s temperament is:
- Affectionate
- Happy
- Friendly
- Companion
- Intelligent
Dachshund
Also known as the ‘sausage dog’ or even ‘weiner dogs’ the Dachshund usually live 12 to 14 years. In the middle ages, Germans used them to hunt as their long low bodies were perfect for ducking into badger dens. They can vary in colours with some having very unique markings and are either long haired, wire haired or smooth.
The Dachshund’s temperament is:
- Lively
- Clever
- Prone to stubbornness
- Very energetic
- Loyal
Beagle
Known for originally being hunting dogs, Beagles can live to about 12 to 14 years old. They have a great sense of smell so love to eat, making them of risk of putting on weight easily.
The Beagles temperament is:
- Excitable
- Intelligent
- Determined
- Cheerful
- Affectionate
Shetland Sheepdog
Originally raised to herd animals on the Shetland Islands, the Shetland Sheepdog usually live 12 -14 years. They are more prone to eye issues such as collie eye which is an inherited disease that can lead to blindness.
The Shetland Sheepdog’s temperament is:
- Highly Intelligent
- Responsive
- Lively
- Loyal
- Playful
Labrador Retriever
The most popular dog breed in America, the Labrador Retriever on average live 10 – 12 years. A larger size breed amongst a lot of small breeds on the list, Labs are prone to hip problems. This can cause a lot of pain for them, so you should ensure they’re not overweight.
The Labs temperament is:
- Loyal
- Intelligent
- Trusting
- Kind
- Easy To Train
Chihuahua
The smallest recognised breed has the longest on average lifespan on our list, it’s the Chihuahua. They can live as long as 14 – 18 years! They can be traced back to the 9th century and are bred in warm climates. Due to how small they are they might not be the right breed of choice for this with young active kids.
The Chihuahua’s temperament is:
- Alert
- Lively
- Confident
- Quick Learners
- Courageous
Conclusion
As with all dogs, out of one litter there will be a variety of characters. You can usually seem from a young age which pups are the most confident, timid, playful and loving with how they behave with their siblings.
It’s not unknown to have the same dog breed with different behaviours and interests, however the above should give you some guidance on the breeds that tend to live the longest.
In our own lifetimes it’s likely we’ll have more than one dog so it’s important to make sure that they receive the best care for the time that we have them. Dogs are such loving creatures, even those that have been hurt and have spent time in shelters show such loving behaviour to new owners.