One of the challenging factors about being a dog owner is saying goodbye to your furry pet. We are aware that dogs don’t live as long as humans do.
They typically live as long as 10 – 13 years, and maybe longer if exposed to enough exercise, a high-quality diet, and impeccable healthcare.
Apart from genetics also playing its part, it’s good to know dog breeds with the longest lifespan.
Below are 10 dog breeds with the longest lifespan:
1. Chihuahua
These are some of the longest-living dog breeds with the longest lifespan. Some chihuahuas can live for 15 years, while some can live up to 20 years.
Owners should be aware that this tiny breed still needs plenty of exercise, training, and mental stimulation despite its size.
Although this breed is prone to eye and heart complications, they are generally considered healthy dogs.
Breed Overview
- Height: 5 to 8 inches
- Weight: Can weigh up to 6 pounds
- Physical characteristics: Alert
- Coat: Smooth or long coat
- Colour: Tan, black, and more
2. Dachshund
It isn’t unusual to find a Dachshund that is over 15 years old. A Guinness World Record has a Dachshund known as Chanel for being the oldest living dog. Chanel died in 2011 and lived for 21 years.
Like most dogs, Dachshunds dog breeds with the longest lifespan can also be affected by some age-related health complications, especially back issues influenced by obesity.
Breed Overview
- Height: 5 to 9 inches
- Weight: Can weigh up to 32 pounds
- Physical characteristics: Low, smooth long body
- Coat: Wire-haired or long-haired
- Colour: Tan, red, black, chocolate, and more
3. Toy Poodle
This intelligent, sassy toy poodle can make an amazing family pet. Most toy poodle owners who have underestimated these little runners realized the hard way how energetic they could be.
It’s also not unusual to find some toy poodles that reach up to 18 years old. Nevertheless, the breed is susceptible to the eye and orthopedic complications.
Breed Overview
- Height: Up to 10 inches
- Weight: Can weigh up to 4 to 6 pounds
- Physical characteristics: Fluffy
- Coat: Curly dense coat
- Colour: Gray, white, black, apricot, brown, and more
4. Jack Russell Terrier
The Jack Russell terrier is a small breed with the longest lifespan that can live for as long as 16 years. Like the Dachshund, one Jack Russell has equally broken the world record for being the oldest living dog. It lived up to 20 years before passing in 2014.
This breed was bred for working, and despite their size, they maintain that energy and drive.
Breed Overview
- Height: 13 to 14 inches
- Weight: Can weigh up to 13 to 17 pounds
- Physical characteristics: Smart
- Coat: Broken or smooth coat
- Colour: Black, brown, white, tan markings
5. Shih Tzu
The royal and friendly Shih Tzu dog breeds with the longest lifespan typically live up to 15 years or more. These dogs, of Asian origin, were bred to be great companions to their owners.
Shih Tzus generally don’t have health issues, but they are prone to eye and orthopedic complications.
Breed Overview
- Height: 9 to 11 inches
- Weight: Can weigh up to 9 to 16 pounds
- Physical characteristics: Majestic
- Coat: Double long coat
- Colour: Silver, gold, black, blue, and more
6. Maltese
Maltese dog breeds with the longest lifespan are generally healthy breeds that can live for 15 years or more. They thrive o affection and the company of their owners; nevertheless, they easily suffer from separation anxiety.
This can be triggered when they are left alone for too long. This setback can, however, be adjusted by behavioral training.
Breed Overview
- Height: 7 to 9 inches
- Weight: Can weigh up to 7 pounds
- Physical appearance: Alert
- Coat: Silky long coat
- Colour: Whitecoat
7. Yorkshire Terrier
These are very intelligent toy breeds popular in most homes, but they don’t completely lap dogs.
Yorkshire terriers are affectionate, and loyal and would readily light up their environment, but it’s not unusual for them to live up to 15 years or more.
Breed Overview
- Height: 7 to 8 inches
- Weight: Can weigh up to 7 pounds
- Physical characteristics: Compact
- Coat: Silky
- Colour: Tan and black, tan and blue, and more.
8. Pomeranian
Pomeranian dog breeds with the longest lifespan are famous for being friendly, but these little furballs can sometimes be a bit bossy.
The advantage of owning a Pomeranian is that they are generally extremely loyal to their families. It’s not unsurprisingly to find them assume guard roles.
Although feisty, these dogs can be made into great family pets with consistent training and proper care; they can live up to 16 years or more.
Breed Overview
- Height: 6 to 7 inches
- Weight: Can weigh up to 3 to 7 pounds
- Physical characteristics: Lion-like
- Coat: Fluffy double coat
- Colour: Red, orange, chocolate, black and more
9. Shiba Inu
The Shiba Inu is a medium-sized breed with a long lifespan that can surprisingly reach up to 16 years or more.
This breed tends to be strong-willed and a bit antisocial. Means, that this dog isn’t for everyone. They are, however, quiet, clean, and loyal.
They are generally in a good physical state, even though some of them are prone to allergies.
Breed Overview
- Height: 14 to 17 inches
- Weight: Can weigh up to 17 to 23 pounds
- Physical characteristics: Athletic
- Coat: Thick double coat
- Colour: Cream, red, tan, and tan
10. Australian Cattle Dog
The Australian cattle dog breeds with the longest lifespan locally known as the blue heeler has a long lifespan compared to other dogs of its size.
The dog can live up to 16 years or older. These are very intelligent dogs with an elevated working drive. This means they do better in homes that would keep them engaged in sporting activities.
Breed Overview
- Height: 17 to 20 inches
- Weight: Can weigh up to 30 to 50 pounds
- Physical characteristics: Bulky
- Coat: Smooth double thick coat
- Colour: Red with tan and black markings
Do you own a dog that has surprised you with how long it has lived? Would you like to tell us what breed it is and how long you’ve had your pet?
Are there tips or suggestions you’d like to share? Kindly do so in the comments below.
