Dog breeds that live the longest

While some dog breeds tend not to live too long, others have good opportunities to celebrate their double-digit birthday. Of course, there are individuals within all breeds who grow old, but there are big differences between different breeds of dogs.

Many dog breeds have an estimated lifespan of a maximum of ten years. Some dying earlier and others much later. The genetic make-up of the dog breed and what the dog is used for have a big impact on how old most individuals in the same dog breed will be. In general, smaller, light breeds grow older, while large, heavy breeds often leave earth life earlier.

"Life expectancy is perhaps not the most important factor for puppy buyers in choosing a breed. But I would like to make more people aware that the lifespan varies by several years between different breeds, it can be decisive for how long you get together with your dog," says Patrik Olsson, Business Area Manager Pets, Agria Djurförsäkring.

Dog breeds with longer lifespans

There are many dog breeds to choose from to increase the chances that the dog will be able to celebrate its twelfth birthday. Usually they are the smaller dog breeds.

There are around 30 dog breeds likely to hit their 12th birthday. Among them, the list includes:

Chihuahua
Bichon Havanese
Border Terrier
Miniature Schnauzer
Chinese Crested
Toy, Dwarf, and medium-sized Poodles
Welsh Springer Spaniel
Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier
Icelandic Sheepdog

Dog breeds with shorter lifespans

Some dog breeds generally have fewer years of life, around eight years at most, although some individuals can survive longer than that. These breeds are commonly large and heavy, such as: