Most dogs have the same life expectancy of about 10-13 years, as the most enjoyable ones we’ve ever lived; however, certain breeds can be the longest-living dogs due to their extraordinary lifespans. There are instances of dogs living longer than 20 years old.
The list of longest-living dog breeds doesn’t include one of the breeds, known as an Australian Cattle Dog, the world record for the longest-living dog is held by an ACD named Bluey. Bluey died in 1939 at the age of 29! It made us wish that all our dogs had lived to that age.
Want to know which other breeds have records for longevity? Check out our gallery of 13 dog breeds below the longest life span!
The longest Living Dog Breeds
1. Chihuahua
Chihuahuas are among the longest-lived breeds, perhaps because they’re one of the smaller. With an average life span of 15 to 20 years, these adorable dogs can provide you with many years of amazing adventures. The longest-lived Chihuahua ever recorded was a dog named Megabyte, killed in January 2014 at 20. In 2017, actor Dermot Mulroney announced that his Chihuahua, Maverick, was 22 years old! Watch an interview of Mulroney and Maverick here!
2. Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkies are among the most sought-after breeds and, luckily for their owners; they can live for an average of between 17 and 20 years old! It’s a smaller breed, so it is not surprising that they’re the beloved pet of many dog lovers.
Originating from Britain, Jack, the most famous Yorkie, passed away in 2015 at age 25. The cause of his death was not old age, either. Tragically the dog he attacked was another dog.
At 10, a tiny dog has 56 years of human life. However, dogs with the most extended lives have been found to live beyond ten years old. The majority of them are in their 20s.
3. Pomeranian
The fluffy dogs have an average duration of between 12 and 16 years. They are loving and affectionate dogs. This long-lived breed of dog is a favorite of pet parents. Luckily, they can provide many years of happiness. As one of the oldest Pomeranians recorded, Coty brought 21 years of unconditional love to his family members before dying a couple of months short of his birthday in 2016.
4. Dachshund
The lively dogs are a long-living breed, between 12 and 15 years. However, these tenacious dogs are determined to overcome odds. One Dachshund named Chanel lived to be 21 years old. A hot dog! That’s a lengthy time! In the Guinness Book of World Records, the most senior dog alive currently can be a tiny Dachshund referred to as Funny. At the age of 21, Funny still has a long way to go to surpass Bluey’s record.
5. Toy Poodle
Toy Poodles may seem very different from their bigger counterparts; however, they’re equally intelligent and straightforward to train. They generally have longer lives and have an average life span of 12 to 15 years. The longest-lived Toy Poodle was Seamus, who was 20 years old.
6. Maltese
Mediterranean islands of Malta. Another popular small breed for pet lovers. They are an old breed that originates from the Maltese islands. Maltese dogs can live a typical lifespan of 12 to 15 years.
Did you know that a 16-year-old tiny dog is about the age of a human being? Read on for more information about the longest-living breeds of dogs!
7. Lhasa Apso
Lhasa Apso is a lovely little dog with a small-breed life span of 12 to 15 years. They were developed to maintain the security of Buddhist temples. The American Kennel Club mentions the oldest dog ever recorded. Lhasa Apso was believed to be 29 years old, but no details were discovered regarding this Wonderdog.
Are you interested in more historical information? Lookup The 10 Oldest Dog Breeds in Existence.
8. Pug
Pugs are a popular breed. Pug is an old Chinese breed that has been popular for many years. An exceptional breed, Pugs live around 12-15 years old, and their personalities endure throughout their lives. Popular and well-loved, Pug Snookie lived to 27 before his passing in 2018.
9. Beagle
Beagles are thought to be one of the top dogs for kids, thanks to their gentle nature and active lifestyle. Beagles are also able to live between 12 and 15 years old. The oldest living Beagle, Butch, passed in 2003 at 27 years old!
Do you want to know how to calculate the years of a dog in comparison to human years? After the first year of their lives, they are thought to be equivalent to 15 human years of 15 to 20 years. Here’s How To Calculate Your Pet’s Age.
10. Miniature Schnauzer
The spirited breed is just the same energy and training capability as its bigger counterpart. Miniature Schnauzers can live on average 12-15 years, which means you have enough time to take on the variety of dog sports in which they compete!
11. Border Collie
Long-lived and intelligent The Border Collie can live a typical life span of 12-15 years; however, it’s not uncommon for this tough dog to live to 17 years old. Bramble is a Border Collie who lived well beyond this, reaching 25 years old before her passing. It’s an exciting and bizarre fact that Bramble was vegetarian.
12. Shih Tzu
With a lifespan of 12-16 years old, it is believed that the Shih Tzu is one of the most long-lived breeds of dogs. With all the love and affection they offer, these long-haired lovies must remain for all the time because they love their family members so very much. One of the longest-documented Shih Tzu, Teddy lived until he was 19 years old, before dying in the year 2019.
13. Papillion
The French word that means ‘butterfly’ is Papillion and the breed of dog with the same name is worthy of its name due to its stunning butterfly-winged ears. They are a fun and affectionate lapdog. They have a 13-15 years lifespan, which means that this cute companion will be at your side for many more years!
Can your dog live 20 years?
Although nothing is written into stone, dogs well-cared for and loved will have a chance of living to the age of 20. Being one of the longest-living dog breeds is helpful, too, but every dog of any breed is a chance of living a long time.
