Which Dogs Live the Longest?

Science has long proven the benefits of having a pet in the house, particularly a dog. These animals are good for humans’ mental health, they force people to go outside and take walks, and they can serve security purposes as well. However, the downside to having a dog is that their life spans are shorter than human life spans. While we can’t change the way the world works, we can advise which types of dogs live relatively longer, so you can make an educated decision about which pup you adopt.

Scientists in the UK studied over 500,000 dogs in order to learn which qualities indicate a longer life in these animals. According to the research, small and long-nosed dogs live the longest, while larger and flat-nosed dogs usually have shorter lives. Furthermore, purebred dogs tend to live longer than crossbreeds. Lancashire heelers won the spot of the longest-living dogs, with a life expectancy of 15.4 years. On the other side of the spectrum are Caucasian shepherds, which tend to live 5.4 years. Of course, this isn't a guarantee in regards to your pup's life expectancy. It's important to remember that plenty of other, more personal, factors play a role in any creature's life span.

The study's lead author, Kristen McMillan, explained, "This provides an opportunity for us to improve the lives of our canine companions. We are identifying groups that desperately need attention, so we can zone in on these populations and work out what the problem is." She went on to add that she and her team want to expand the study to other countries as well. McMillan said, "Once we have those estimates from country to country... that can be hugely helpful in us working toward improving the longevity of some of these [breeds]."