15 Longest Living Dog Breeds (With Pictures)

Our beloved canine friends are such an essential part of our family, but it’s unfair that we have to say goodbye after what feels like a short time. An average dog’s lifespan is about 10 to 13 years, and this can be even less with the large and giant breeds.

Small dogs do tend to live longer than the larger breeds, so that is something to think about while looking for a new family member.

We’ve created a list of 15 dogs that tend to have longer lifespans (notwithstanding medical or genetic issues). Let’s take a look at which breeds tend to live well into their golden years.

Top 15 Longest Living Dog Breeds

1. Australian Cattle Dog

The Australian Cattle Dog is a medium-sized dog that has an average lifespan of 12 to 16 years. In fact, the Guinness Record for the oldest dog who ever lived was an ACD named Bluey that lived until he was 29 years old!

ACDs are highly energetic and need an outlet to expend their energy and be engaged in some form of exercise such as dog sports or working on a farm. Their high intelligence can make them a bit of a challenge to train, and they tend to be quite wary of strangers. American Cattle Dogs are brave and extremely devoted dogs to their families.

2. Australian Shepherd

The Australian Shepherd can live beyond the lifespan of other dogs at 12 to 15 years. Aussies have a medium-length coat of fur and are highly intelligent and even capable of tricking their owners.

Aussies need a lot of exercise and, ideally, a minimum of 1-2 hours of running every day. Aussies are easy to train as they are eager to please and smart.

3. Beagle

The happy-go-lucky Beagle can live on average for up to 15 years, but the oldest recorded Beagle went by the name of Butch, who lived until he was 27! They can come in a number of colors but are most well-known for being white and red with a black saddle.

Beagles are usually described as merry in their demeanor and are typically loving, happy, and easygoing dogs. The Beagle needs at least 1 hour of exercise every day and will become destructive if left alone for long periods. Beagles are reasonably easy to train thanks to their agreeable natures, and they make great family dogs.

4. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a long name for a small dog that lives an average of 12 to 15 years. The oldest Cavalier resides in the UK at 19 years of age.

Cavaliers are energetic dogs that enjoy romping but will follow their people’s cues. If you aren’t active, your Cavalier will be less active, but your pup would love to join you if you exercise. They love everyone they meet, including strangers, and they absolutely love children. Cavaliers are eager to please and are typically easy to train.

5. Chihuahua

The sassy little Chihuahua lives an average of 14 to 16 years, but Megabyte has the record as the oldest Chihuahua at 20 years of age. These tiny dogs have a ton of personality, but because of their small size, they aren’t recommended for families with young children. Accidents do happen.

Chihuahuas are intelligent but stubborn, so training might be somewhat of a challenge, but exercising is easy. Just trotting behind you around the house can sometimes be enough.

6. Chinese Crested

The Chinese Crested is one of the longest living dogs out there, with many reaching 18 or more years. They can be hairless or have a coat but typically sport a “crest” of fur on the tail, ankles, and head.

Cresteds are very loyal, playful, and affectionate dogs. They can be trained relatively easily because they love spending time with their owners, but they are sensitive dogs and should be trained with gentleness and patience. Their small size makes them easy to exercise, but Cresteds are high energy and need daily walks and time to play while outdoors.

7. Dachshund

The Dachshund has a lifespan of 12 to 16 years, but the oldest was Rocky from California, who lived to 25 years of age! They come in smooth, long, and wirehaired versions and are famous for their short legs and long bodies.

Dachshunds make excellent watchdogs and can be stubborn and brave. They require regular exercise, but they shouldn’t be encouraged to constantly jump off or on furniture or run up and down the stairs as this can damage their backs. They might be a challenge to train, but they are very affectionate and want to spend lots of time with their humans.

8. Havanese

The Havanese live about 14 to 16 years but have been known to live up to 19 years. They boast a long silky coat of fur that comes in a myriad of colors and a tail that curls over their backs.

The Havanese are highly social and tend to be somewhat clownish in their behavior. They’re pretty trainable and make people laugh with their antics but can also make great watchdogs. These dogs are quite easy to train thanks to their intelligence and eager-to-please natures, and they are very affectionate with those they love.

9. Lhasa Apso

The Lhasa Apso has a lifespan of 12 to 15 years, but many live into their late teens and even into their 20s. The oldest is said to be 29 years old. This ancient breed is famous for its long, floor-length coat and tail that curls over its back.

The Lhasa can be comical with his family but will seem aloof with strangers. Lhasas are confident and smart dogs that need regular exercise, and their intelligence can make them a challenge to train. Their stubborn and independent natures make them perfect for people who are enthusiastic and inventive.

10. Maltese

The Maltese have an expected lifespan of 12 to 15 years, but the oldest recorded age is 20 years. These beautiful little dogs have long white coats that reach the floor (if you choose) and are the perfect lap dogs.

The Maltese is a playful and charming dog that might seem regal in his bearing but can be very brave watch dogs. They have lots of energy but can have their exercise needs met with a daily walk or even just running around inside. They are stubborn and intelligent dogs so expect training to be slightly difficult, but they are also agreeable and will respond to positive training.

11. Papillon

The Papillon lives about 14 to 16 years, but the oldest recorded age was 29 years! They have those amazing fluffy ears that have given them their name (papillon means butterfly in French), and they are small bundles of joy.

The Papillon is a very happy and alert dog that can do well in agility trials and dog sports. They are big dogs in tiny bodies and enjoy lots of exercise and activities. Papillons are very eager to please and intelligent, and quite easy to train. They are companion dogs, so be prepared to spend lots of time with them.

12. Pomeranian

The Pomeranian can live for 12 to 16 years, and the oldest lived to 21 years of age. They come in a number of colors but are most famous for their red or orange coats that are super fluffy.

Pomeranians are highly alert and intelligent dogs and make great lap dogs as well as watchdogs. They do need a moderate amount of exercise and are relatively easy to train. Just be sure to keep an eye on your Pom while outside since his tiny size makes it easy for him to become an escape artist.

13. Shiba Inu

The Shiba Inu lives for about 13 to 16 years, but Pusuke the Shiba lived until he was 26 years old! This medium-sized dog is almost fox-like in appearance and is famous for the Doge meme.

Shiba Inus are good-natured and confident dogs that need a fair bit of exercise, or they will be destructive if left alone. They have independent natures, and no matter how well trained a Shiba is, he can’t ever be taken off his leash unless he’s in an enclosed space. These dogs will escape if given the opportunity.

14. Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu can live for up to 18 years. However, the oldest known Shih Tzu was Smokey, who lived until 23 years of age! Yet another small dog famous for a floor-length coat, the Shih Tzu, comes in a variety of colors and does require a fair amount of grooming.

The Shih Tzu is wonderful with children and makes a great apartment dog as well as a lap dog. They require minimal exercise, so just short walks every day will suffice, but training will be a challenge. You’ll need to be firm but gentle with discipline as many Shih Tzus like to get their own way.

15. Toy Poodle

The Toy Poodle can live up to 18 years, but the oldest known was 20 years old. They come in a number of colors but are usually associated with being white.

Toy Poodles are known for their intelligence, but they are very athletic and active dogs. Even though they are tiny, they are full of energy and require lots of exercise. Poodles are very easy to train because of their smarts, in addition to being eager to please.

Final Thoughts

While these breeds are known to live a little longer than many other dogs out there, there are always exceptions to the rule. An excellent example of this is the Labrador Retriever, which averages a 10 to 12-year lifespan. But Adjutant, a Lab from the U.K., lived until the ripe old age of 27!

You could also consider looking into adopting a mixed breed. Mixed breed dogs actually have an average lifespan of 14 years compared to the 10-year average lifespan of a purebred.

Size is also a factor, as are breeds that are prone to health issues. However, perhaps the most important thing to always remember is that as long as you provide your pup with the best care and lots of love, he’ll live a long and happy life.

• See Also: 10 Oldest Dog Breeds (With Pictures)

Featured Image: cynoclub, Shutterstock