The Longest Living Dogs: Key Takeaways

The Longest Living Dogs: Key Takeaways

  • Kirsten Thornhill - 15.03.2021

Longest Living Dog Breeds


Your pup is more than just part of your family. So I’m sure it comes to no surprise that you want your furry friend to live as long as possible. Many factors come to mind when choosing the appropriate breed of dog that fits the lifestyle and needs of your family. What kind of apartment do you live in? A small, lazy dog breed may be more suitable for an apartment type set up, whilst a larger breed dog may fit better for a large home with a massive yard. Is anyone in your household allergic to dogs? Chances are, if you pick a dog breed that is infamous for always shedding, it may not be the best fit for those allergy suffering family members. 


Or, did you think about which dog breeds live the longest? It’s important to know that some breeds have much longer lifespans than others. In a general sense, small dog breeds may live longer than larger breeds. In addition, any purebred dogs can suffer from congenital health conditions, which may shorten their lifespan compared to a mixed four-legged friend. 

 

 

Which dog breed you decide on, it’s super important that you become aware of what you may be getting into with potential health conditions, longevity, or disorders. The more you know as a future paw parent, the better off you’ll be prepared to be when it comes time to take fido home. 


In today’s article, we hope we can provide you some insight as to the longest living dog breeds and what you can expect from each of them.


Let’s go!


Who’s the World’s Oldest Dog?


Well, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, the longest living dog breed was an Australian Cattle Dog. He lived in Victoria Australia and lived to be 29 years and 160 days young! If you really think about it, he lived roughly 203 human years! That’s quite insane if you ask me!


Just so our readers are aware, this is definitely not a common life expectancy for an Australian Cattle Dog. These types of dogs typically live to be 13 to 15 years old. This demeanor is described as protective, loyal, and obedient. 


The second oldest dog breed also lived in Victoria, Australia. She also lived to be 29 years old! Crazy. 


How Long Do Dogs Live For?


The question we all wish the answer was “forever”, right? Of course, a dog living to 29 yeras of age isn’t really normal. Most dogs, depending on their breed and size, live between 10 to 13 years. Some doggos even have a higher probability of living to be over 15 years old, while others have a much shorter lifespan. 

 

 

In addition, as we briefly mentioned above, some doggo breeds are predisposed for developing certain health issues that may shorten their life. Let’s get into the nitty gritty with each dog breed. 


Beagles


When people think of long living, small, cuddly doggos, they may not really think of Beagle breeds. The Beagle is a member of the hound group of doggos. Their personality type is typically curious, friendly, gentle, and happy. Beagles can weigh anywhere from 20 to 25 pounds and were bred to be darn good trackers. 


There are many wonderful characteristics of the Beagle breed. Beagles make for great family dogs, due to their sturdy size and their overall personality. With this being stated, Beagles are howlers. If you live in a small apartment where howling isn’t as “favorable”, the Beagle breed may not be the breed for you. Beagles are also super stubborn and may be difficult to rain. 


What is a Beagles Lifespan?


Beagles lives expectancy is between 15 - 20 years old. However, do note, Beagles are prone to being overweight and obese. So it’s crucial that your pup gets plenty of exercise so their weight doesn’t negatively affect their overall health and longevity. 


Maltese


The playful and fun Maltese is another wonderful dog! The Maltese is often bred for companionship, due to their loving and caring personality. Maltese are also bred as therapy dogs and competitors. They can weigh anywhere around 7 to 10 pounds. 


What is a Maltese Lifespan?


The Maltese has a lifespan of 12 -15 years, generally. 


Dachshund


Dachshunds, commonly known as wiener dogs, were originally bred as a hunting dog in Germany to hunt small animals. Wiener dogs can weigh anywhere between 16 -32 pounds, depending on whether or not they are a miniature or standard breed wiener dog. 


Dachshunds are known to be loyal, playful, lively, and stubborn doggos. They are members of the Hound group of dogs. 


What is a Dachshund Lifespan?


The average lifespan of a wiener dog is typically 12 - 16 yeras old. 


Chihuahua


Chihuahuas are tiny doggos, maybe 6 - 9 pounds at most. They are very well-known for being spunky, feisty, loyal, and packed with a large personality. They often they are much bigger than you look. 


Chihuahuas can be smaller than 6 pounds too, as there are toy Chihuahuas. 


What is a Chihuahua Lifespan?


These tiny pups can live anywhere from 12 - 20 years! However, some small breeds of Chihuahuas may have health issues due to their tiny size. 


 Jack Russell Terrier


The Jack Russell Terrier was bred to be a fox hunter. They are known to be super clever, athletic, energetic, and very stubborn. Jack Russell Terriers are known to be difficult to train and are likely better matched for an experienced dog owner/trainer. They weigh 13 to 17 pounds, relatively. 

 

 

What is a Jack Russell Terrier Lifespan?


Jack Russell Terriers live typically 10 to 15 years. 


Australian Shepherd


This is one of the larger breeds of dogs that, surprisingly, still has a long lifespan. The Australian Shepherd is a member of the herd group. They were trained to drive livestock. It’s in their nature to keep moving and stay active. Australian Shepherds should live with an active family, keeping them busy at almost all times! They are known to be smart doggos, active, affectionate, and protective. They can weigh 40 - 65 pounds. 


What is an Australian Shepherd Lifespan?


Australian Shepherd lifespan is expected to be between 12 to 15 years, although some have lived up to 18 (and 29) years!


Small Dog Breeds vs Large Dog Breeds


While there are exceptions of course, you may have noticed a trend that most of the list above consisted of small dog breeds. Larger dogs have a higher risk of developing issues including joint conditions, hip dysplasia, heart conditions, amongst others. There are certain breeds, such as the Siberian Husky, that are more prone to autoimmune types of diseases. In addition, the bulldog is at a higher risk of developing respiratory conditions and the Boxer breed is also more prone to certain cancers and tumors. 

 

 

There are breeds of small doggos that do have a predisposition for other health problems. For example, the Yorkie is prone to developing blood vessel birth defects. Even some dogs that we mentioned above are prone to their own slew of potential health issues. The Beagle breed has a higher risk of having epilepsy, a brain disorder causing seizures. In addition, toy breeds weigh only a couple pounds, meaning that health issues can develop and become life-threatening very quickly. 


Longest Living Dogs: Final Thoughts


When all is said and done, we know how much your doggo means to you and your household. Here, at Petly CBD, we are all pet owners and lovers. Of course, we want them to live as long as possible! Until the day we can say dogs live forever, we’ll continue to make sure they will live their best life, for as long as possible. 

 

 

So, when it comes to choosing a dog breed, consider the information we mentioned above. What kind of active dog are you looking for? How much room do you have for fido to run around and play? Getting to know as much as you can before you bring that pupper home will help you be prepared for the potential life events that may happen over time. Whichever doggo you choose, having a four-legged friend in your life can bring you so much joy! We are so excited to be the ones who help navigate you on your journey of becoming a (first time) paw parent!

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