How Long Do Dogs Live?
Life Expectancy of 60 Popular Dog Breeds
How many years can you expect to share with your dog?
It is one of those questions most dog owners would probably rather not think about too much. But understanding your dog’s typical lifespan can be genuinely useful. It can help you plan for the different stages of their life, recognise when their needs may begin to change and make informed decisions about their health and care as they get older.
And the difference between breeds can be surprisingly large.
Some giant dog breeds may have an expected lifespan of less than 10 years, while several smaller breeds can potentially live well into their teens.
So where does your dog sit?
We’ve compared the typical life expectancy of 60 popular dog breeds, starting with the shorter-lived breeds and working our way towards some of the longest-lived dogs.
Watch our video below and see if you can find your breed.
How Long Do Dogs Live?
There isn’t one simple answer.
A major 2024 study involving more than 584,000 dogs in the UK estimated median survival across the dogs studied at around 12.5 years. But the researchers also found considerable differences associated with breed, body size, sex and head shape. (Nature)
Another large UK veterinary study found similarly substantial differences between breeds. (Nature)
That means asking “How long do dogs live?” is a little like asking how big dogs grow.
It depends enormously on the dog.
Breed and genetics matter, but so can factors such as:
- Body size
- Weight and body condition
- Nutrition
- Exercise
- Genetics and inherited conditions
- Preventative healthcare
- Dental health
- Environment and lifestyle
- Accidents and injuries
Most importantly, a breed lifespan is an estimate, not an expiry date.
Two dogs of exactly the same breed can have very different lifespans.
Do Small Dogs Live Longer Than Big Dogs?
Generally, yes — and it’s one of the most interesting things about canine ageing.
We normally associate bigger animals with longer lives. An elephant lives considerably longer than a mouse, for example.
Dogs don’t follow that pattern within their own species.
Research consistently finds an association between increasing body size and shorter lifespan in domestic dogs. One genetic study found a clear negative correlation between breed-average weight and lifespan. (Nature)
The huge 2024 UK longevity study found median survival of approximately:
Small breeds — 12.7 years
Medium breeds — 12.5 years
Large breeds — 11.9 years (Nature)
Those averages don’t sound enormously different, but individual breeds can be much further apart.
And you can see that pattern clearly in our breed comparison below.
Dog Life Expectancy by Breed
We’ve arranged these popular breeds broadly from the shortest average expected lifespan towards the longest, rather than alphabetically.
Remember that these are typical lifespan ranges, compiled as a practical guide rather than predictions for individual dogs. Published longevity figures can vary according to the population studied, country, methodology and whether researchers measure median age at death, life expectancy from birth or another measure. Large-scale research confirms substantial breed-to-breed variation. (Nature)
Dog Breed | Typical Life Expectancy | Size |
Mastiff | 6–10 years | Giant |
Great Dane | 7–10 years | Giant |
Bernese Mountain Dog | 7–10 years | Large |
Irish Wolfhound | 6–10 years | Giant |
Dogue de Bordeaux | 5–8 years | Giant |
Saint Bernard | 8–10 years | Giant |
Newfoundland | 9–10 years | Giant |
Rottweiler | 9–10 years | Large |
Cane Corso | 9–12 years | Large |
Boxer | 10–12 years | Large |
Doberman Pinscher | 10–12 years | Large |
French Bulldog | 10–12 years | Small |
German Shorthaired Pointer | 10–12 years | Large |
Golden Retriever | 10–12 years | Large |
Rhodesian Ridgeback | 10–12 years | Large |
Greyhound | 10–13 years | Large |
Weimaraner | 10–13 years | Large |
Akita | 10–14 years | Large |
Alaskan Malamute | 10–14 years | Large |
Cocker Spaniel | 10–14 years | Medium |
Boston Terrier | 11–13 years | Small |
Dalmatian | 11–13 years | Medium |
Labrador Retriever | 11–13 years | Large |
Beagle | 10–15 years | Medium |
Basset Hound | 12–13 years | Medium |
Pembroke Welsh Corgi | 12–13 years | Medium |
Yorkshire Terrier | 11–15 years | Toy |
Brittany | 12–14 years | Medium |
English Springer Spaniel | 12–14 years | Medium |
German Shepherd | 12–14 years | Large |
Samoyed | 12–14 years | Large |
Shetland Sheepdog | 12–14 years | Small |
Siberian Husky | 12–14 years | Medium |
Staffordshire Bull Terrier | 12–14 years | Medium |
Vizsla | 12–14 years | Medium |
Australian Shepherd | 12–15 years | Medium |
Border Collie | 12–15 years | Medium |
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 12–15 years | Small |
Lhasa Apso | 12–15 years | Small |
Maltese | 12–15 years | Toy |
Miniature Schnauzer | 12–15 years | Small |
Whippet | 12–15 years | Medium |
Miniature Poodle | 10–18 years | Small |
Shih Tzu | 10–18 years | Small |
Standard Poodle | 10–18 years | Large |
Toy Poodle | 10–18 years | Toy |
American Staffordshire Terrier | 12–16 years | Medium |
Australian Cattle Dog | 12–16 years | Medium |
Dachshund | 12–16 years | Small |
Pomeranian | 12–16 years | Toy |
Cairn Terrier | 13–15 years | Small |
Pug | 13–15 years | Small |
West Highland White Terrier | 13–15 years | Small |
Jack Russell Terrier | 13–16 years | Small |
Shiba Inu | 13–16 years | Small |
Bichon Frise | 14–15 years | Small |
Belgian Malinois | 14–16 years | Large |
Havanese | 14–16 years | Small |
Papillon | 14–16 years | Toy |
Chihuahua | 15–17 years | Toy |
Which Dogs Live the Longest?
Our comparison makes the overall pattern difficult to miss.
Many of the breeds towards the longer-lived end are small or toy dogs, including the Chihuahua, Papillon, Havanese, Bichon Frise, Jack Russell Terrier and Pomeranian.
But size isn’t everything.
There can be considerable differences between breeds of similar size, suggesting that genetics, breed history, conformation and predisposition to particular diseases also matter. The 2024 longevity study found that lifespan was strongly associated with canine evolutionary history as well as size. (Nature)
There are also some impressive exceptions to the general size trend in our list, such as the Belgian Malinois.
Which Dogs Have the Shortest Lifespans?
The other end of the table contains a noticeable concentration of giant breeds.
Mastiffs, Great Danes, Irish Wolfhounds, Saint Bernards and other very large dogs tend not to enjoy the longevity seen in many smaller breeds.
Scientific research supports the broader relationship. One genomic study noted that large breeds have substantially shorter average lifespans than miniature and toy breeds, some of which can reach very advanced ages. (Nature)
That certainly doesn’t mean a giant dog cannot live beyond its expected range. Individual variation matters enormously.
What Affects a Dog’s Life Expectancy?
Breed gives us a useful starting point, but breed alone doesn’t determine how long a dog will live.
Genetics and Inherited Health Conditions
Different breeds have different genetic predispositions.
That is one reason responsible breeding and appropriate health screening are so important. Knowing the conditions associated with your dog’s breed can also help you have more informed conversations with your veterinarian.
Interestingly, researchers analysing 155 breeds found substantial differences in longevity even between dogs of similar sizes. (Nature)
Maintaining a Healthy Weight
Keeping a dog lean and at an appropriate body condition is one of the practical areas owners can influence.
That doesn’t mean simply feeding less. Dogs need appropriate nutrition for their age, size, activity level and individual circumstances.
As your dog moves from puppyhood through adulthood and eventually into their senior years, those requirements can change.
Exercise Matters — At Every Age
Exercise helps support cardiovascular health, muscle condition, mobility and healthy body weight.
But the appropriate amount is very different for a Chihuahua, Border Collie and Great Dane.
Exercise should suit the individual dog, not simply a number of minutes taken from a generic chart.
And don’t forget the brain.
Training, sniffing, puzzles, exploring new environments and interacting with their family can all provide valuable mental enrichment.
Preventative Healthcare
Regular veterinary care isn’t just about treating a dog when something goes wrong.
Vaccination where appropriate, parasite control, dental care, routine examinations and breed-specific health screening can all form part of preventative healthcare.
Regular checks become particularly valuable as dogs age because owners may not immediately notice gradual changes.
Dental Health Can Be Easy to Overlook
Teeth are sometimes forgotten when we think about keeping a dog healthy.
Dental disease can cause significant pain and discomfort, and dogs can be remarkably good at continuing to eat despite oral problems.
Getting your dog accustomed to appropriate dental care early in life can make looking after their teeth considerably easier later.
Learn What’s Normal for Your Dog
One of the simplest things you can do is know your own dog.
You see them every day.
You know how enthusiastically they normally eat, how much they drink, how they walk, how much they sleep and what their normal personality is like.
Changes in appetite, thirst, weight, movement, breathing, toileting, behaviour or energy can sometimes provide an early indication that something isn’t right.
Can You Help Your Dog Live Longer?
Nobody can promise a dog a particular lifespan.
Genetics, disease and simple chance remain part of life.
What we can do is concentrate on the things within our control.
Provide appropriate nutrition. Keep them at a healthy weight. Give them exercise and mental stimulation suited to their needs. Look after their teeth. Keep up with preventative healthcare. Learn about health problems associated with their breed. And seek veterinary advice when something changes.
There is another important distinction too.
A long life isn’t the only goal. A good life matters.
Fifteen years isn’t automatically better than twelve if those extra years aren’t comfortable and enjoyable.
Healthy ageing should therefore be about both longevity and quality of life.
Your Dog Is More Than a Statistic
This may be the most important thing to remember after looking through our table.
If your dog’s breed says 10–12 years, there isn’t a clock counting down towards their twelfth birthday.
Likewise, a breed with a lifespan of 15–17 years isn’t guaranteed to reach 15.
Longevity studies examine populations. You live with an individual.
Research itself demonstrates how much estimates can vary depending on the data and method used. That’s why lifespan figures are best treated as useful guides rather than predictions. (Nature)
Final Thoughts
However many years we get with our dogs, they never seem quite enough.
Knowing your dog’s typical life expectancy can help you understand their breed and prepare for the different stages ahead. But it can’t tell you how long your dog will be beside you.
So perhaps the most useful lesson isn’t simply which breed lives longest.
It’s to make the years count.
The walks they can’t wait to go on. The ridiculous games. The muddy paws. The adventures. The quiet evenings beside you. And those ordinary little moments that don’t seem particularly important until one day you realise they were some of the best ones.
Whether we get eight years or eighteen, every year together is worth it.
Explore EatWagLove.com for our in-depth dog breed guides, health and care information, training advice and everything you need to learn more about the dog sharing your life.
