24 breeds · updated Oct 2026

Healthiest dog breeds

No breed is free of health problems, but some are generally sturdier than others. Picking a breed with a strong general-health record improves your odds of a long, healthy life with your dog, although how you choose the individual dog matters even more.

This list includes breeds rated 4 or 5 for general health in our profiles, then ranks them by that rating doubled plus the midpoint of their typical life span, so robust, longer-living breeds come first. A healthy breed is not a dog that never sees the vet.

The research on purebreds is mixed. A UC Davis study of 24 inherited disorders found similar rates in purebred and mixed-breed dogs for 13 of them, with 10 more common in purebreds and one more common in mixed breeds. A study at three US clinics found no significant difference in lifespan between the two groups. The breeder, weight and routine care all play a part.

  1. 1

    Coton de Tulear

    Non-Sporting · Small · 8–15 lb (4–7 kg) · lives 15–19 years

    The Coton de Tulear is a small, fluffy, white companion dog from Madagascar that stands 9 to 11 in (23 to 28 cm) tall and weighs 8 to 15 lb (3.6 to 6.8 kg). It is cheerful, people-loving and easy to train, and…

    General health
  2. 2

    Havanese

    Toy · Small · 7–14 lb (3–6 kg) · lives 14–16 years

    The Havanese is a sturdy, silky-coated companion dog from Cuba, weighing roughly 7–14 lb (3–6 kg) and known for a cheerful attitude. It is affectionate, trainable and good with families, but it hates being alo…

    General health
  3. 3

    Papillon

    Toy · Toy · 5–10 lb (2–5 kg) · lives 14–16 years

    The Papillon is a lively, long-lived toy spaniel with butterfly-shaped ears that weighs just 5 to 10 lb (2.3 to 4.5 kg). Paps are smart, friendly and surprisingly athletic, and they fit apartments well, but th…

    General health
  4. 4

    Rat Terrier

    Terrier · Small · 10–25 lb (5–11 kg) · lives 12–18 years

    The Rat Terrier is a compact, smooth-coated American farm terrier that comes in two sizes: Miniature, 10 to 13 in (25 to 33 cm), and Standard, over 13 and up to 18 in (33 to 46 cm). Most weigh 10 to 25 lb (5 t…

    General health
  5. 5

    Shiba Inu

    Non-Sporting · Small · 17–23 lb (8–10 kg) · lives 13–16 years

    The Shiba Inu is Japan's smallest native spitz breed, a fox-like 17–23 lb (8–10.5 kg) dog that is bold, clean and famously independent. It is a rewarding companion for patient owners, but it sheds heavily, has…

    General health
  6. 6

    Standard Schnauzer

    Working · Medium · 30–50 lb (14–23 kg) · lives 13–16 years

    The Standard Schnauzer is a sturdy, square-built German farm dog with a wiry pepper-and-salt or black coat and a bearded face. Adults stand 17.5 to 19.5 in (44 to 50 cm) and weigh 30 to 50 lb (14 to 23 kg). Sm…

    General health
  7. 7

    American Eskimo Dog

    Non-Sporting · Small · 6–35 lb (3–16 kg) · lives 13–15 years

    The American Eskimo Dog is a bright, fluffy white spitz that comes in three sizes, from about 6 lb (2.7 kg) to 35 lb (16 kg). Eskies are affectionate, very trainable and good with kids, but they shed heavily,…

    General health
  8. 8

    American Staffordshire Terrier

    Terrier · Medium · 40–70 lb (18–32 kg) · lives 12–16 years

    The American Staffordshire Terrier, or AmStaff, is a muscular, affectionate and athletic bull-type terrier that weighs about 40 to 70 lb (18 to 32 kg). Well-bred, well-socialized AmStaffs are loyal family dogs…

    General health
  9. 9

    Australian Cattle Dog

    Herding · Medium · 35–50 lb (16–23 kg) · lives 12–16 years

    The Australian Cattle Dog is a compact, tough herding dog bred to move stubborn cattle across rough country. It is smart, loyal and tireless, and it needs a real job and a lot of exercise. In the right active…

    General health
  10. 10

    Cairn Terrier

    Terrier · Small · 13–14 lb (6–6 kg) · lives 13–15 years

    The Cairn Terrier is a small, scruffy, bold earthdog from the Scottish Highlands, standing about 10 in (25 cm) tall and weighing 13 to 14 lb (5.9 to 6.4 kg). Cairns are cheerful, curious and long-lived, but th…

    General health
  11. 11

    Miniature Pinscher

    Toy · Toy · 8–10 lb (4–5 kg) · lives 12–16 years

    The Miniature Pinscher is a tiny, high-energy toy dog that stands 10 to 12.5 in (25 to 32 cm) and weighs about 8 to 10 lb (3.6 to 4.5 kg). Min Pins are bold, funny and devoted, but they bark a lot, chill easil…

    General health
  12. 12

    Border Collie

    Herding · Medium · 30–55 lb (14–25 kg) · lives 12–15 years

    The Border Collie is widely regarded as one of the most intelligent and trainable dogs, a 30–55 lb (14–25 kg) herder with tireless energy and intense focus. It thrives with active owners who offer hours of exe…

    General health
  13. 13

    Border Terrier

    Terrier · Small · 11.5–15.5 lb (5–7 kg) · lives 12–15 years

    The Border Terrier is a small, scruffy, good-natured working terrier, about 12 to 15 in (30 to 38 cm) tall and 11.5 to 15.5 lb (5.2 to 7 kg). It is affectionate, good with kids and easy to groom, but its stron…

    General health
  14. 14

    Jack Russell Terrier

    Terrier · Small · 11–13 lb (5–6 kg) · lives 12–15 years

    The Jack Russell Terrier is a small, tireless, white-based working terrier with a big personality, bred in England to hunt foxes. It is clever, funny and fiercely loyal, but it digs, chases and barks, and it n…

    General health
  15. 15

    Keeshond

    Non-Sporting · Medium · 35–45 lb (16–20 kg) · lives 12–15 years

    The Keeshond is a fluffy, silver-gray spitz with a fox-like face and "spectacle" markings, standing 17 to 18 in (43 to 46 cm) and weighing about 35 to 45 lb (16 to 20 kg). It is a friendly, people-loving famil…

    General health
  16. 16

    Whippet

    Hound · Medium · 25–40 lb (11–18 kg) · lives 12–15 years

    The Whippet is a sleek, medium-sized sighthound that looks like a small Greyhound, standing 18 to 22 in (46 to 56 cm) and weighing 25 to 40 lb (11 to 18 kg). Whippets sprint at up to 35 mph (56 km/h) yet are c…

    General health
  17. 17

    American Pit Bull Terrier

    Terrier · Medium · 30–60 lb (14–27 kg) · lives 12–14 years

    The American Pit Bull Terrier is an athletic, people-focused terrier recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC), not the American Kennel Club. It is strong, smart and eager to please, and needs experienced han…

    General health
  18. 18

    Brittany

    Sporting · Medium · 30–40 lb (14–18 kg) · lives 12–14 years

    The Brittany is an upbeat, athletic French bird dog that weighs 30 to 40 lb (14 to 18 kg) and stands 17.5 to 20.5 in (44 to 52 cm). It is bright, gentle and very trainable, but it needs a lot of daily exercise…

    General health
  19. 19

    Siberian Husky

    Working · Medium · 35–60 lb (16–27 kg) · lives 12–14 years

    The Siberian Husky is a friendly, athletic sled dog with endless energy, a love of running and a famously independent streak. It is a rewarding companion for active, experienced owners but a poor fit for homes…

    General health
  20. 20

    Miniature American Shepherd

    Herding · Medium · 20–40 lb (9–18 kg) · lives 12–13 years

    The Miniature American Shepherd is a smart, athletic herding dog that weighs 20 to 40 lb (9 to 18 kg) and looks like a small Australian Shepherd. Minis are loyal, eager to learn and happy to join any activity,…

    General health
  21. 21

    Treeing Walker Coonhound

    Hound · Large · 50–70 lb (23–32 kg) · lives 12–13 years

    The Treeing Walker Coonhound is a lean, fast, tricolor American hunting hound that stands 20 to 27 in (51 to 69 cm) and weighs 50 to 70 lb (23 to 32 kg). It is friendly and mellow at home but loud and single-m…

    General health
  22. 22

    Anatolian Shepherd Dog

    Working · Giant · 80–150 lb (36–68 kg) · lives 11–13 years

    The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is a massive Turkish livestock guardian that stands 27 to 29 in (69 to 74 cm) and weighs 80 to 150 lb (36 to 68 kg). It is loyal and calm with its family but wary of strangers and in…

    General health
  23. 23

    Belgian Malinois

    Herding · Large · 40–80 lb (18–36 kg) · lives 10–14 years

    The Belgian Malinois is an intense, athletic herding dog of roughly 40–80 lb (18–36 kg) that excels as a police, military and sport dog. It is brilliant and devoted, but it needs huge amounts of exercise, trai…

    General health
  24. 24

    Greyhound

    Hound · Large · 60–70 lb (27–32 kg) · lives 10–13 years

    The Greyhound is a tall, lean sighthound famous for speed, yet most retired racers are quiet, gentle couch dogs at 60–70 lb (27–32 kg). They need short bursts of exercise rather than long ones, a securely fenc…

    General health

How we ranked them

Breeds qualify with a general-health rating of 4 or 5, where 5 means generally robust. We score each by doubling that rating and adding the midpoint of its typical life span in years, so healthy breeds that also tend to live longer rank higher. Ratings and life spans come from our breed profiles. They describe typical dogs, every dog is an individual, and no breed is guaranteed to be healthy.

See how we research and rate breeds.

Before you choose

Ask for health testing. Reputable breeders screen parent dogs for conditions known in the breed. The OFA's database covers hip and elbow X-rays, heart, eye and kneecap exams and DNA tests, and its CHIC program recognizes dogs that completed every test their parent breed club recommends. Ask to see the results.

Keep your dog lean and look after its teeth. Overweight dogs tend to live shorter lives, and our guides on checking whether your dog is overweight and brushing your dog's teeth cover the basics. Schedule regular check-ups with your vet.

If life span is also on your mind, compare the longest-living dogs.

Frequently asked questions

Are mixed-breed dogs healthier than purebreds?

It depends on the condition. A UC Davis study of 24 inherited disorders found that rates were similar for 13, higher in purebreds for 10 and higher in mixed breeds for one. Neither group is simply healthier.

What does a CHIC number mean?

A CHIC number shows that a dog completed all the health screenings its parent breed club recommends and that the results were made public. It does not guarantee a dog will never develop a problem.

How can I find a healthy puppy?

Ask the breeder for the parents' health-screening results, such as OFA evaluations, and talk to your vet about what screening is recommended for the breed.

Do healthy breeds need fewer vet visits?

All dogs benefit from regular preventive care. A high rating means fewer typical breed-linked problems, not zero risk.

Sources

  1. UC Davis: Purebred dogs not always at higher risk for genetic disorders, study finds
  2. Canine Genetics and Epidemiology: Lifespan of companion dogs seen in three independent primary care veterinary clinics in the United States
  3. OFA: Get started with health screening
  4. AKC: Why Do Small Dogs Live Longer Than Large Dogs?

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