Depending on breed, some dogs live on average eight years while others have gone well over 20. We wanted to offer insight into the longest living dog breed, followed by a number of other breeds that have been known to live long and healthy lives.
As of today, “Bluey”, an Australian Cattle Dog holds the record for being the oldest living dog, having reached 29 years and 5 months. Obviously, this is not what you would expect even from breeds known to live long but it shows that with proper care, dogs can live very long lives.
The thing is that even for breeds that live shorter lives, a proper diet, regular exercise, and overall care could stretch the years out. A perfect example is the Chihuahua. On average, this breed lives 13 years but many Chihuahuas have lived to 15, 17, and even 22 years.
The goal would be to choose high quality food made with real meat opposed to pet food products that contain mostly fillers. In addition, daily walks of 30 minutes or more support a healthy heart. Then keeping a dog current on required vaccinations would help fight off illnesses that kill.
Because there are so many variances regarding how long dogs can live, professionals in the veterinarian world continue to conduct research. Over the years, a tremendous amount of insight has been gained as to why some breeds live longer than others but new information is being discovered all the time.
Interesting Facts
Before we get into specific information about the longest living dog breed, we wanted to offer some fascinating facts.
- Dogs that have strong, structured faces that resemble wolves tend to live the longest whereas dogs with flatter faces live the shortest lives
- Mutts, also called Heinz 57 or mongrels actually live longer lives than dogs with a pedigree
- Just 8% of all dog breeds live past 17 years
- As much as 64% of all dog breeds are euthanized due to sickness with cancer being responsible for around 16%
- The Irish Wolfhound has a lifespan of just six years while many terrier varieties live up to 15 years, sometimes longer
- Typically, smaller dogs outlive larger dogs, sometimes by twice as much
Top Dog Breeds for Long Lives
Now, getting to the longest living dog breed, we listed the top 10 by number of years with several breeds associated.
- Border Collie, Chihuahua, Collie, Dalmatian, English Springer Spaniel – 13 years
- Cairn Terrier and Greyhound – 13.2 years
- Beagle, Pekingese, Shetland Sheepdog – 13.3 years
- Shih Tzu – 13.4 years
- Chow Chow – 13.5 years
- Jack Russell Terrier – 13.6 years
- Border Terrier – 13.8 years
- Whippet – 14.3 years
- Bedlington Terrier and Miniature Dachshund – 14.4 years
- Miniature Poodle – 14.8 years
No matter the age of the longest living dog breed or other breeds that have long lives, certain illnesses are what often bring life to an end. The following are just a few of the more common problems that dogs face, which obviously affect not only quality of life but also longevity.
Congenital Heart Disease
Just as humans face heart disease, many dog breeds also have the same problem. Among those that live the longest, this disease is relatively common for Beagles, Chihuahuas, Chow Chows, English Springer Spaniels, and Poodles.
Obesity
Obesity is also serious in that it leads to a number of health problems, some minor and some serious. Dogs known for being among the longest living dog breeds that often deal with issues of obesity include Beagles, Cairn Terriers, Dachshunds, and Shetland Sheepdogs.
Elbow and Hip Dysplasia
The last disease we wanted to mention that affects many breeds, even those that live long lives, is elbow and hip dysplasia. Those living the longest prone to the disease include Chow Chows and English Springer Spaniels.
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