Dogs that Live the Longest: Dogs are generally thought of as being man’s best friend, which makes it all the sadder when one dies too soon.
But one important factor in determining whether or not your dog will live to be an old, happy, healthy canine is the breed of dog you own. Some breeds have been found to live longer than others, so check out this list of the top 8 longest living dogs and start planning a long life for your four-legged friend!
Which Dogs Live the Longest?
Australian Cattle Dog
This breed lives 11-15 years. The Australian Cattle Dog is an active, intelligent, and confident dog that has lots of energy to burn. These dogs love their families and will be attentive, loyal, and playful with them.
They tend to bond with one family member in particular and can be anxious if they are not treated as a part of a pack. Cattle dogs are excellent working dogs that require proper training at an early age (before 6 months old).
It’s important for them to have plenty of room to run since they have lots of energy! Australian Cattle Dogs should always be kept on a leash or in a fenced area since they love chasing small animals, such as squirrels. Giant Schnauzer: This breed lives 10-12 years. The Giant Schnauzer was originally bred to herd sheep but today it is more commonly used as a guard dog.
These dogs are extremely protective of their owners and work hard to keep strangers away from your home. As puppies, these dogs need lots of attention from their owners so they don’t become overly aggressive when older. Training these dogs requires consistency and positive reinforcement because they respond well to rewards over punishment.
Pomeranian
A small dog, with a long life expectancy (up to 20 years!) and an adorable appearance, making it easy to see why Pomeranians are among dogs that live the longest.
Along with being cute and cuddly, they’re extremely low-maintenance dogs; their coat is hypoallergenic, meaning it causes fewer allergies than other breeds. Poms are very playful and affectionate as well; some people describe them as velcro because they really like staying by their owners' side.
Poms make great companions for older individuals looking for a low-maintenance dog that can provide unconditional love.
Vizsla
These dogs are loyal, protective, and easy to train. They’re always happy to see you and they know when you’re sad or feeling ill. The average lifespan of a Vizsla is 13 years.
The only downfall is that they can be high-strung sometimes, so it’s important to give them a lot of exercise and attention. – Great Dane: These gentle giants love their owners and will follow them around everywhere. While they’re not exactly lapdogs, they do love being petted—they just don’t like getting too close to your face because their long ears make them feel vulnerable.
Their long bodies mean that Great Danes aren’t as agile as other breeds, but if you give them space to run around in, they won't mind staying home on a rainy day with you.
They live an average of 7 years. – Bernese Mountain Dog: Berners have a very calm demeanor and they love hanging out with people. They’re also very intelligent, which means they learn new tricks quickly.
Like many large dog breeds, Berners need plenty of exercise to stay healthy and fit; however, they can adapt well to apartment living since they don’t need much room to roam around. Berners live an average of 10 years. – Newfoundland: Newfoundlands are huge (the largest breed of dog) but surprisingly light on their feet for such big dogs. Despite how large these guys get (around 150 pounds), Newfs still have a playful side that makes them great family pets for kids and adults alike.
Boston Terrier
The median lifespan of a Boston Terrier is 13 years, according to the online database Pet Age. This breed was originally bred as a working dog and used for bull baiting in England during the 19th century. It wasn’t until 1845 that it started to be registered as a purebred dog. Boston Terriers can weigh up to 44 pounds and are about 17 inches high.
They have short legs with round heads and small ears. They have short coats that come in brindle, black, or seal brown. Their hair should never be cut very short because it will not grow back properly on its own. These dogs are friendly and playful but also independent and stubborn at times.
They do well living with children but can be aggressive toward other dogs if they aren’t socialized early on in life. They may bark often so training them to quiet down when necessary is important. Some common health problems include hypothyroidism, skin infections, and allergies. They are easy to groom and only need regular baths every once in a while due to their short hair.
Labrador Retriever
The Labrador Retriever is one of the most popular dog breeds in America, and it’s not difficult to see why. Gentle, smart, and hard-working, they’re perfect for new owners or families with children.
Given their high energy levels and tendency to gain weight easily, Labs aren’t recommended for small apartments or homes without a yard. They can be trained to live indoors exclusively as long as they get plenty of opportunities to stretch their legs outside during playtime.
The life expectancy of a Lab ranges from 10-12 years old. However, some dogs have been known to live well into their teens. – German Shepherd: Originally bred as guard dogs, German Shepherds are extremely loyal and protective. Their intelligence and eagerness to please make them very easy to train.
In fact, many trainers recommend training GSDs when they’re still puppies so that you can establish yourself as a pack leader early on this will help prevent behavioral issues later on down the road. Life expectancy is around 10-13 years old; however, there are reports of these pups living up to 15 years! With proper care and nutrition, your pup could reach its full potential.
West Highland White Terrier
The Westie as it’s affectionately known has a high energy level and, like most terriers, is an independent thinker. These dogs may decide to investigate new areas on their own, so make sure you keep them on a leash when walking them in unfamiliar areas. One thing that makes Westies so great with kids is that they have a ton of energy and love to play; they often take part in agility training because of their natural agility.
The Westie has one of the longest life spans of any dog breed, averaging 13 years or more. Learn more about how long these dogs live here. – Beagle: This popular family pet also ranks as one of America’s favorite breeds.
It doesn’t come as a surprise then that Beagles are well-known for being friendly, playful, and very affectionate towards their owners. While generally very healthy, some common health issues can affect these dogs later in life such as hip dysplasia and cataracts. Due to its average size (15-17 inches), it is fairly easy to care for them while still allowing them plenty of room to run around. As far as how long they live, most Beagles can expect 12-15 years with proper care.
Pug
Life Expectancy 14-18 years. The pug is ranked first in a list of small dogs that live a long time. Life expectancy depends on size and health, but expect your pug to live into its mid-teens if properly cared for. – Bernese Mountain Dog: Life Expectancy 12-15 years. Despite being one of the biggest breeds, which dogs live longest is not all about size with these guys; they may be extra large dogs breed, but they tend to be fairly healthy dogs and can live up to 15 years old. – Golden Retriever: Life Expectancy 12-15 years.
A popular family dog, golden retrievers are known for their intelligence and good temperament. They’re also an extra large dog breed, so it’s no surprise that they have an average life expectancy of between 12 and 15 years. – Dachshund: Life Expectancy 13-16 years. Dachshunds are sturdy little dogs who make great companions.
They're an extra large dog breed too, so you might think they don't live as long as other breeds—but actually, dachshunds can live from 13 to 16 years old! - German Shepherd: Life Expectancy 10-13 years. German shepherds are among some of the most intelligent breeds out there—and with good reason.
Miniature Schnauzer
14-16 years; Average size is about 12 pounds. Miniature Schnauzers are cheerful and inquisitive, with a proud demeanor. As a bonus, they shed very little hair. – Dachshund: 13-15 years; Average size is about 18 pounds.
Dachshunds are affectionate and loyal dogs who need plenty of attention from their owners to be happy. They’re also curious, clever, and mischievous—so if you have kids or cats at home, you might want to consider another breed.
On top of that, dachshunds can be prone to back problems because of their long bodies (and short legs). It’s important to take care of them properly as puppies so that they don’t develop bad habits later on in life—like jumping off furniture or running too much on hard surfaces.