Typical lifespan of small dogs
Smaller dogs often live to 14 or 15 years old. Smaller generally live longer than larger dogs because they don't suffer as many serious skeletal and cardiovascular diseases as larger dogs.
- Their bones and joints don't need to support as much weight, so they don't break down as quickly.
- Their heart doesn't need to pump blood through a huge body, so it doesn't wear out as quickly.
- They have proportionately fewer growth hormones surging through their metabolic system. Studies suggest that growth hormones may shorten life.
Examples of long-lived breeds include Bichons, Corgis, Dachshunds, Lhasa Apsos, Miniature Poodles, Miniature Schnauzers, Schipperkes, Shelties, many terriers, and many toy breeds such as Chihuahuas, Maltese, Min Pins, Pomeranians, Toy Poodles, and Yorkshire Terriers.
However...
Smaller breeds are not necessarily HEALTHY throughout their longer life. On the contrary, many small dogs are very prone to health problems. It's just that their particular health problems tend to affect their QUALITY of life, rather than its length.
Is there anything you can do to make small dogs less likely to develop health problems – so that they live not only a long life, but a HEALTHIER one?
Yes. Click here to learn about keeping your small dog healthy and long-lived.
Typical lifespan of giant or large bulky dogs
Not long at all, unfortunately.
| Irish Wolfhound | 6-8 years |
| English Mastiff, Great Dane, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Leonberger | 6-10 years |
| Bernese Mountain Dog, Bloodhound, Bullmastiff | 7-9 years |
| Dogue de Bordeaux, Newfoundland, Rottweiler, St. Bernard | 8-10 years |
| Cane Corso, Great Pyrenees, Neapolitan Mastiff, Scottish Deerhound | 8-11 years |
Giant breeds "burn out" early. They act like rambunctious puppy/teenagers for their first three years. Then dignified adults for a couple of years. Then their bones and joints break down, their heart weakens, or they develop cancer. They're elderly at six or seven, and dead by age ten.
Is there anything you can do to lengthen the lifespan of giant breeds?
Yes. Click here to learn about keeping your giant dog as healthy and long-lived as possible.
Typical lifespan of medium to large dogs
Most dogs in this size range live 10-13 years. But in some breeds, serious health problems are so common that it can be difficult to find an individual that you can count on remaining healthy for a normal lifetime. These dogs are lucky to make it to 5 or 6 or 7 years old. Here are a few examples:
- Many Golden Retrievers and Boxers die early from cancer.
- Many Doberman Pinschers and Cavaliers die early from heart disease.
- Many German Shepherds die early from joint diseases.
- Many Great Danes and Akitas die early from bloat.
- Many Welsh Springer Spaniels die early from epilepsy.
- Many Chinese Shar-Peis die early from amyloidosis.
- And the list goes on...
Is there anything you can do to lengthen their lifespan?
To find a healthy dog and KEEP him healthy. . .
- You need to avoid GENETIC health problems. Your dog inherits these health problems from his parents. When you're looking for a dog, there are ways to tell whether he is likely to have inherited a serious health problem, or not. You need to know how to do this before you go looking for a dog.
- You need to avoid ENVIRONMENTAL health problems. Your dog's health is affected by everything he puts in his mouth (food, water, chew toys), everything he breathes (fragrances, cigarette smoke, chemical fumes), everything you put into or onto his body (vaccinations, medications, ointiments, sprays, cleaning products on your floor) . . . in other words, virtually everything your dog comes in contact with can affect his health, for better or for worse. Many things you wouldn't even think of cause health problems in dogs. If you want a long-lived dog, you need to know how to raise your dog so that all of these environmental problems are avoided.
Two of my best dog books will help you.
 Dog Quest: Find The Dog Of Your Dreams will help you find a dog with the best chance of growing up healthy. Genetic health problems can be avoided if you know what to look for before you buy a puppy. read more |
 11 Things You Must Do Right To Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy will help you keep your dog healthy for a lifetime. Environmental health problems can be avoided by raising your dog in all the right ways. read more |