How Long Do Mixed Breed Dogs Live?
For mixed breed dogs, owners can use an individual’s weight to help determine how long he or she would be expected to live. In general, small dogs enjoy longer lives than do their larger counterparts. A recent analysis of veterinary records revealed that dogs under 20 pounds had an average lifespan of 11 years while those over 90 pounds typically lived for only 8 years. Medium and large dogs fell in the middle at around 11 years. (State of Pet Health 2013 Report, Banfield Pet Hospital).
But average life expectancy isn’t the whole story. The very definition of “average” means that many individuals will have shorter lifespans while others can be expected to live much longer than the norm. Perhaps a better way to evaluate a dog’s longevity is to convert “dog years” into “human years.” In this way, we can understand just when a dog is an adult, a senior citizen, geriatric, or the equivalent of a human centenarian.
Information about a dog’s expected lifespan won’t help blunt the pain of his or her loss, but it can help owners plan how to best care for their companions during the time we do have together.
Canine Genetic Age Testing With A DNA Test
Want to find out your pet’s scientific age? Embark and EasyDNA make it simple to determine your dog’s true age with a Canine Genetic Age test that measures a dog’s telomeres’ length at a genetic level.
It then uses that information to compare your pup with more than 95 types of dogs in their databases to define their breed and biological age details further. Order a kit, send in your sample, and get the results back in two to three weeks. Visit Embark DNA’s Website and EasyDNA’s website to learn more and buy a test.
Below is a dog life expectancy chart sorted by the most popular registered breeds in the US. The average dog lifespans that we include in this list are based on the most beloved breeds from the AKC’s most recent list.
| 2021 Popularity Rank | Dog Breed | Average Lifespan |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Labrador Retriever | 11 Years |
| 2 | French Bulldog | 8-10 Years |
| 3 | Golden Retriever | 11 Years |
| 4 | German Shepherd | 11 Years |
| 5 | Poodle | 12 Years |
| 6 | Bulldog | 8-12 Years |
| 7 | Beagle | 12-15 Years |
| 8 | Rottweiler | 9 Years |
| 9 | German Shorthaired Pointer | 12-14 Years |
| 10 | Dachshund | 13-15 Years |
| 11 | Pembroke Welsh Corgi | 12-15 Years |
| 12 | Australian Shepherd | 12-18 Years |
| 13 | Yorkshire Terrier | 13 Years (possibly up to 20 years) |
| 14 | Boxer | 9-10 Years |
| 15 | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 9-14 Years |
| 16 | Doberman Pinscher | 10-13 Years |
| 17 | Great Dane | 6-8 Years |
| 18 | Miniature Schnauzer | 12-14 Years |
| 19 | Siberian Huskie | 12-15 Years |
| 20 | Bernese Mountain Dogs | 6-8 Years |
How Long Do Medium Dog Breeds Live?
Medium-sized dog breeds range from smaller companion breeds such as French Bulldogs, to larger, active working breeds such as Border Collies and Australian Shepherds. The average lifespan for medium-sized dog breeds is 10 to 13 years, with some breeds living even longer. As with small dogs, exact age ranges for medium-sized dog breeds are hard to determine, but there are general lifespan guidelines for each breed.
Lifespans for certain medium dog breeds: