30 breeds · updated Oct 2026

Longest-living dog breeds

Size is the clearest pattern in dog longevity. Research on companion dogs links larger bodies with shorter lives, so if lifespan matters to you, look closely at the smaller breeds on this list.

This page ranks the 30 breeds with the longest typical life spans, using the midpoint of each breed's range. Those ranges are averages, not promises: some dogs of every breed live far longer or shorter. Mixed breeds are not automatically longer-lived either. A study of companion dogs seen at three US clinics found no significant difference between purebred and mixed-breed dogs.

You have more influence than you might think. Research links excess weight to shorter lives and regular dental cleanings to a lower risk of death, so a lean dog with clean teeth and regular vet visits has the best chance of reaching the top of its breed's range.

  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

    Lagotto Romagnolo

    Sporting · Medium · 24–35 lb (11–16 kg) · lives 15–17 years

    The Lagotto Romagnolo is a curly-coated Italian water retriever and truffle hunter that weighs about 24 to 35 lb (11 to 16 kg) and stands about 16 to 19 in (41 to 48 cm). It is affectionate, clever and energet…

    General health
  3. 3

    Chinese Crested

    Toy · Toy · 8–12 lb (4–5 kg) · lives 13–18 years

    The Chinese Crested is a graceful, fine-boned toy dog that stands 11 to 13 in (28 to 33 cm) tall and comes in two varieties: the nearly hairless Crested and the fully coated Powderpuff. It is affectionate, sen…

    General health
  4. 4

    Chihuahua

    Toy · Toy · 3–6 lb (1–3 kg) · lives 14–16 years

    The Chihuahua is one of the smallest dog breeds, with an AKC standard of no more than 6 lb (2.7 kg), and a long lifespan that PetMD puts at 14–16 years. It is bold, loyal and portable, but it can be wary of st…

    General health
  5. 5

    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
  6. 6

    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
  7. 7

    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
  8. 8

    Bichon Frise

    Non-Sporting · Small · 12–18 lb (5–8 kg) · lives 14–15 years

    The Bichon Frise is a cheerful, curly-coated companion dog that sheds very little but needs regular professional-style grooming. It is sociable and playful, adapts well to apartments, and does best in homes wh…

    General health
  9. 9

    Italian Greyhound

    Toy · Toy · 7–14 lb (3–6 kg) · lives 14–15 years

    The Italian Greyhound is a slender, 13 to 15 in (33 to 38 cm) miniature sighthound that weighs just 7 to 14 lb (3 to 6 kg). It is a sweet, clingy lap dog that loves to sprint and curl up under blankets, but it…

    General health
  10. 10

    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
  11. 11

    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
  12. 12

    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
  13. 13

    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
  14. 14

    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
  15. 15

    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
  16. 16

    Cockapoo

    Hybrid · Small · 6–30 lb (3–14 kg) · lives 12–16 years

    The Cockapoo is a cheerful cross between a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle, typically small to medium, affectionate and quick to learn. With no breed standard, size, coat and health vary by Poodle parent, litter a…

    General health
  17. 17

    Dachshund

    Hound · Small · 8–32 lb (4–15 kg) · lives 12–16 years

    The Dachshund is a long-bodied, short-legged scent hound bred in Germany to hunt badgers. Bold, funny and loyal, it makes a lively small companion, but its long spine is vulnerable to disc disease, and its stu…

    General health
  18. 18

    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
  19. 19

    Pomeranian

    Toy · Toy · 3–7 lb (1–3 kg) · lives 12–16 years

    The Pomeranian is a tiny, fluffy, fox-faced toy dog with a big personality. It is lively and fits apartment life well, but it is vocal, needs regular grooming, and is too fragile for rough handling.

    General health
  20. 20

    Poodle

    Non-Sporting · Medium · 4–70 lb (2–32 kg) · lives 10–18 years

    The Poodle is a highly intelligent, athletic dog that comes in three sizes: Standard, Miniature and Toy. All share a curly, low-shedding coat that needs regular professional grooming, and all are eager, traina…

    General health
  21. 21

    Pug

    Toy · Small · 14–18 lb (6–8 kg) · lives 13–15 years

    The Pug is a compact, flat-faced companion dog known for a clownish streak and a deep need to be near its people. It does well in small homes and with children, but its short muzzle means heat, exertion and we…

    General health
  22. 22

    Shih Tzu

    Toy · Small · 9–16 lb (4–7 kg) · lives 10–18 years

    The Shih Tzu is a sturdy little lap dog, 9–16 lb (4–7 kg), bred for centuries to keep people company. It is cheerful, people-focused and happy in an apartment, but the long coat needs near-daily care and the s…

    General health
  23. 23

    West Highland White Terrier

    Terrier · Small · 15–20 lb (7–9 kg) · lives 13–15 years

    The Westie is a small, sturdy, snow-white Scottish terrier with a big, cheerful, self-assured personality. It is friendly, entertaining and adaptable, but it still has a terrier's love of digging, chasing and…

    General health
  24. 24

    Australian Shepherd

    Herding · Medium · 40–65 lb (18–29 kg) · lives 12–15 years

    The Australian Shepherd is a brilliant, athletic herding dog that thrives on work, training and time with its people. Despite the name, the breed was developed in the United States. It is a superb partner for…

    General health
  25. 25

    Basenji

    Hound · Small · 22–24 lb (10–11 kg) · lives 13–14 years

    The Basenji is a small, athletic African hunting hound, about 16 to 17 in (41 to 43 cm) tall and 22 to 24 lb (10 to 11 kg), famous for not barking in the usual way. It is clean, clever and fiercely independent…

    General health
  26. 26

    Bernedoodle

    Hybrid · Large · 10–90 lb (5–41 kg) · lives 12–15 years

    The Bernedoodle is a cross between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Poodle, typically a gentle, loyal dog with a fluffy tricolor coat. With no breed standard, size ranges from small to large depending on the Poodl…

    General health
  27. 27

    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
  28. 28

    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
  29. 29

    Brussels Griffon

    Toy · Toy · 8–10 lb (4–5 kg) · lives 12–15 years

    The Brussels Griffon is a tiny, big-eyed Belgian toy dog, 7 to 10 in (18 to 25 cm) tall and 8 to 10 lb (3.6 to 4.5 kg). It is smart, sensitive and devoted to its person, which makes it a lovable apartment comp…

    General health
  30. 30

    Cardigan Welsh Corgi

    Herding · Small · 25–38 lb (11–17 kg) · lives 12–15 years

    The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is a long, low, fox-tailed herding dog that stands 10.5 to 12.5 in (27 to 32 cm) tall and weighs 25 to 38 lb (11 to 17 kg). Cardigans are intelligent, loyal and a bit reserved with str…

    General health

How we ranked them

We take the midpoint of each breed's typical life span range and list the 30 breeds with the highest figures, longest first. Life spans come from our breed profiles, which draw on breed clubs and veterinary sources. They are averages for a breed. Every dog is an individual, and the span for hybrids is especially uncertain.

See how we research and rate breeds.

Before you choose

Longevity is partly out of your hands, but several things are in them. Keep your dog lean: our guide on how to tell if your dog is overweight helps you check. Look after teeth, since VCA calls daily brushing the most effective way to control plaque. Keep up regular vet visits.

Choose carefully at the start. A breeder who health-tests the parents and keeps good records gives you better odds, and a long-lived breed can still have health issues. Compare the healthiest dogs list for another view.

Track your dog's stage of life with our dog age calculator and plan for senior care with your vet before you need it.

Frequently asked questions

What is the average life span of a dog?

It depends heavily on size. Smaller dogs generally live longer than large and giant breeds, and individual breeds range widely. Our life span chart shows typical ranges for every breed.

Why do small dogs live longer?

Researchers do not fully know. One idea is that large dogs age faster, perhaps because they grow quickly, and large breeds die more often from cancer. Most findings are associations, not proof.

Do mixed-breed dogs live longer than purebreds?

A study of dogs seen at three US primary care clinics found no significant difference in survival between purebred and mixed-breed dogs. Size mattered more.

How can I help my dog live longer?

Keep your dog at a healthy weight, brush its teeth and keep up with vet visits. Research links excess weight to shorter lives and dental cleanings to a lower risk of death.

Sources

  1. AKC: Why Do Small Dogs Live Longer Than Large Dogs?
  2. Canine Genetics and Epidemiology: Lifespan of companion dogs seen in three independent primary care veterinary clinics in the United States
  3. VCA Animal Hospitals: Dental Disease in Dogs

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