When making the decision to add a furry friend to your family, one of the main questions some dog owners may have is how long they will have them. A dog’s age can vary based on a number of factors, including size and breed. But how long do dogs live exactly and how do these characteristics affect them? Let’s learn more about the realistic lifespan of dogs and what to expect from different breeds.
Factors that influence the lifespan of dogs
Although life expectancy in dogs is not an exact science and the causes that influence a dog’s lifespan are not fully understood, these are some of the major factors that determine a dog’s lifespan.
To measure
Small dogs live, on average, longer than their medium- and large-breed counterparts. This is measured by their size when they reach adult size. Smaller breeds usually live 10 to 15 years, medium breeds live an average of 10 to 13 years, and larger breeds live an average of 8 to 13 years. This accelerated aging process may have something to do with how quickly a giant breed dog must grow to reach its adult size compared to a smaller breed.
Race
Aside from size, breed is the biggest determining factor in the average lifespan of dogs. A Pomeranian, for example, lives on average four years longer than a Pug, despite them being similar sized dogs. Each breed also brings with it genetic predispositions to certain diseases and conditions that can affect a dog’s lifespan. This is something that breeders pay attention to when determining a dog’s potential health problems.
Mixed-breed dogs, often called mutts or mutts, generally live to be 13 years old on average. This number can vary greatly depending on the genetic makeup of the dog and its upbringing. However, mutts generally avoid many of the health problems associated with dogs bred for a particular purpose. For this reason, mixed breed dogs live longer on average than similarly sized purebred dogs.
Diet
While the ideal diet for dogs is debatable, it has been noted in studies conducted by the Dog Aging Project that dogs who feed once a day live longer and are in better health than dogs who feed multiple times a day. Although older dogs are usually fed specialized dog food, dogs on non-traditional diets have been known to live longer than 20 years.
The list above does not include other factors that can affect a dog’s overall lifespan, such as a healthy weight and lifestyle, the frequency of checkups and vaccinations, and the quality of veterinary medicines he receives.
Here is an assortment of a dog’s average lifespan, by breed:
- Border Collie: 13 years old
- Great Dane: 8 years old
- German Shepherd: 10 years
- Irish Greyhound: 6 years
- Yorkshire terrier: 12-15 years
- Australian Shepherd: 12-15 years
- Bernese Mountain Dog: 7 years
- Golden Retriever: 12 years old
- Jack Russell Terrier: 12-14 years
How long do dogs live Frequently asked questions
What is the longest-lived dog breed?
Chihuahuas and Boston Terriers, both small dogs, have an average lifespan of 15 years. However, some larger dogs, such as Australian Cattle Dogs, Poodles and Labrador Retrievers, have been known to live up to 20 years.
What is the oldest dog that ever lived?
Bobi, a livestock guarding dog of the Rafeiro do Alentejo breed, is the longest-lived dog ever recorded, exceeding his average life expectancy of 12-14 years by living 31 years and 165 days.
Do neutered or spayed dogs live longer?
Female dogs that have been spayed appear to have the longest life expectancy, while male dogs that have been neutered have a shorter lifespan than male dogs that have not been neutered.
Contrary to popular belief that one dog year is equivalent to seven human years, it is now recognized that in terms of physical maturity, the first year of a dog’s life is equivalent to 15 human years, the second year is equivalent to 9 human years, and each l The following year is approximately 5 human years.