Dog breeds with the shortest lifespan

Every dog is different, and there’s no way to predict exactly how long an individual dog will live. However, research suggests that breed, body size, face shape and sex can all be linked to lifespan.

A 2024 Dogs Trust study looked at data from over half a million dogs across the UK. It estimated the median life expectancy of 155 breeds, as well as a crossbred group.

The hefty Caucasian Shepherd Dog had the shortest median life expectancy at 5.4 years. At the other end of the table, the compact Lancashire Heeler had the longest at 15.4 years.

Dog breeds with the shortest lifespan

These were the 10 breeds with the shortest median life expectancy in the study:

The number of dogs studied includes both living and deceased dogs. Some breeds had much smaller sample sizes than others, so the results should be treated as a guide, not a prediction for an individual dog.

Dog breeds with the longest lifespan

These were the 10 breeds with the longest median life expectancy:

These figures show the median rather than the maximum age a dog may reach. A median of 14.2 years means that half the dogs were expected to live beyond this age and half were expected to die before it.

Check out the full list of dogs in the life expectancy breeds table.

How long do dogs live on average?

Across all the dogs in the study, the median life expectancy was 12.5 years.

Purebred dogs had a median life expectancy of 12.7 years, compared with 12 years for the crossbred group.

However, the crossbred group included a wide variety of dogs, from designer crossbreeds to dogs with unknown ancestry.

The findings are based on dogs living in the UK, so they may not apply to dogs in other countries.

What can affect a dog’s lifespan?

Breed was not the only factor linked to lifespan. The researchers also looked at body size, face shape and sex.

Body size

Small and medium-sized breeds generally lived longer than large breeds.

Small dogs had a median life expectancy of 12.7 years, while medium-sized dogs had a median of 12.5 years. This fell to 11.9 years among large breeds.

Large dogs were found to have a 20% higher risk of a shorter lifespan than small dogs.

Face shape

The shape of a dog’s face was also linked to lifespan.

Flat-faced, or brachycephalic, dogs had a 40% higher risk of a shorter lifespan than dogs with a more typical face shape.

Flat-faced breeds include French Bulldogs, Bulldogs and Pugs.

The study found that French Bulldogs had a median life expectancy of 9.8 years. This compared with 13.1 years for Border Collies and 13.2 years for Golden Retrievers.

However, face shape doesn’t act alone. A dog’s size, sex, breed, genetics, lifestyle and healthcare may all play a part.

Sex

Female dogs had a slightly longer median life expectancy than male dogs.

The median was 12.7 years for females and 12.4 years for males. The difference was seen in both purebred and crossbred dogs.

What do these figures mean for your dog?

Lifespan figures show patterns across large groups of dogs. They can’t tell you exactly how long your own dog will live.

Some dogs live much longer or shorter lives than their breed’s median. Genetics, health conditions, accidents, diet, exercise, veterinary care and living environment can all make a difference.

If you’re choosing a puppy, learning about the breed’s health can help you make an informed decision.

Ask the breeder about health screening and the medical history of the puppy’s parents. A responsible breeder should put health and temperament before appearance.

Helping your dog live a healthy life

You can’t control every factor affecting your dog’s health, but good everyday care can support their wellbeing.

Try to:

• Feed your dog a complete, balanced diet suited to their age and needs.
• Keep them at a healthy weight.
• Give them regular exercise that suits their breed, age and health.
• Keep their vaccinations and parasite treatments up to date.
• Arrange regular dental care and health checks.
• Contact your vet if you notice a change in their appetite, weight, movement, energy levels or behaviour.
• Look at getting dog insurance.

Spotting a health problem early may give your dog a better chance of successful treatment. Your vet can also advise you on diet, exercise and preventive care throughout each stage of your dog’s life.