Skinny Dog Breeds That Live Long
Some very skinny large dogs like the Azawakh and Greyhound also have long lifespans.
If you like medium-sized breeds, a skinny dog like the Whippet has a long lifespan and is also good for someone that is away from home all day at work.
There are many other medium-sized dogs with longer lives, but of course, not all of them are as calm and quiet as the Whippet.
Longest Living Large Dog Breeds
| Ranking | Name | Height | Weight | Life span | Breed size | Temperament | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaskan Malamute | 23 to 25 inches | 75 to 85 pounds | 10 to 12 years | Large | Playful, Friendly, Devoted, Affectionate, Dignified, Loyal | Alaska |
| 2 | Standard Poodle | 24.5 to 32 inches | 50 to 70 pounds | 10 to 18 years | Giant | obedient, lively, and loyal family companions | Germany |
| 3 | Giant Schnauzer | 23 to 27 inches | 55 to 80 pounds | 12 to 15 years | Large | Powerful, Intelligent, Strong Willed, Kind, Loyal, Dominant | Germany |
| 4 | Belgian Malinois | 22 to 24 inches | 61 to 100 pounds | 10 to 14 years | Medium | gentle, playful, aloof | Belgium |
| 5 | Chow Chow | 17 to 20 inches | 40 to 70 pounds | 9 to 15 years | Small | Aloof, Independent, Loyal, Quiet | China |
| 6 | Curly Coated Retriever | 23 to 27 inches | 60 to 70 pounds | 10 to 15 years | Large | gentle, friendly, playful, aloof. | England |
| 7 | Mixed Breed Dogs | Varies | Varies | 12 to 18 years | Large | Loyal, intelligent, playful, strong, Devoted | Worldwide |
Large and giant dog breeds usually have shorter lifespans than smaller dogs, but the seven breeds listed below are all rather large and normally live for 10 years or more.
Key Factors To Help Any Dog Live a Longer, Healthier Life
No matter the breed, how you care for your dog has a direct impact on how long they will live. Of course, keeping them safe and preventing accidents is one of your most important responsibilities as a pet parent.
Here are several other factors that will enable your dog to live a long and happy life:
Keeping your dog at a healthy weight throughout their lifetime is critical to their overall health. Additionally, whether you choose dry kibble or wet dog food, it’s essential that you provide the nutrition they need according to their life stage and health condition.
Ample shelter and a safe environment will help lengthen your dog’s lifespan. Keep them away from potentially hazardous objects and chemicals. Also, keep them confined or fenced in so they can’t go outside while unsupervised.
Your dog’s overall well-being impacts not only the length but also the quality of their life. This involves making sure they get ample exercise and mental stimulation.
Additionally, this includes making sure that they are well-adjusted and socialized dogs and helping them manage stress.
Proper grooming doesn’t just enable you to fully enjoy your pet, but it is essential to your dog’s health and longevity. Keep their coat and ears clean and make sure their nails are trimmed to the right length at all times.
Additionally, frequent tooth-brushing and occasional scaling will play a big part in lengthening your dog’s life.
According to a study published by the Journal of American Animal Hospital Association in 2019, dental hygiene may be one of the most important factors that contribute to a dog’s lifespan.
Spaying and neutering pets are usually done to prevent reproduction. However, according to a study led by researchers from the University of Georgia, sterilized dogs actually live longer than intact ones.
On average, dogs that have gone through a gonadectomy live longer by as much as 1 year and 6 months. Such procedures also eliminate the risk for certain cancers (ex., testicular, uterine, and ovarian cancer).
Regular veterinary check-ups will help you catch and address health issues before they progress. Additionally, keeping on top of vaccinations and parasite prevention will minimize your dog’s risk for severe illness.
Comparison: Lifespan of Dog Breeds | How Long Will Your Dog Live?
Dogs have an average lifespan of 10 to 13 years at best. However, some breeds are able to live longer than others. In general, small breeds tend to live longer. This is because larger dogs age more quickly as they grow up faster. This can lead to an earlier occurrence of abnormal tissue developments like cancer and tumor and aging-associated disease such as arthritis. If you wish to enjoy a long company with your dog, here are some dog breeds that you can consider to keep.
Beagle is an old dog breed. It is believed that the name Beagle comes from a French word Bee gueule which can be literally translated as wide throat or urban translation loudmouth. Beagles are indeed loudmouth as they are known being vocal—bark and howl a lot. Do you know that one of the most recognizable characters in the comic strips, Snoopy is actually a beagle? Snoopy is a good representation of beagles. Beagles in real life are smart, lovable, gentle and friendly, just like snoopy. Like most medium-sized dogs, Beagles usually live at least 12 years and the oldest known Beagle lived an amazing 27 years.
Australian cattle dog is a rare large dog breed that lives a long life. The expected lifespan for this breed is roughly 12 to 15 years. The current longest-living dog in Guinness record is hold by an Australian cattle dog named Bluey who lived for 29 years. As a typical working breed, Australian cattle dogs are energetic, intelligent and respond well to training. Also, they form a strong attachment with their owners. Keeping them could be a challenging task as they sometimes are stubborn.
Lhasa Apso is an ancient dog breed originating from Tibet. Although they are small in size, they were highly regarded watchdog in the Tibetan palaces and monasteries. Todays Lhasa Apsos are no longer a palace guard but mainly as little family companion for every households. Lhasa Apsos are lovable and loyal toward their owners but wary of strangers. Due to their calm and gentle nature, they can get along well with kids. Lhasa Apsos have a long lifespan with the 12-14 years on average. A few of them can live for nearly two decades.
Pomeranian is a fluffy little dog breed that was named after Pomerania (a region split between Poland or Germany). Pomeranians are a fun breed to keep as they are lively and playful. Pomeranians are alert to changes in the surrounding. They may bark when they hear noises that come from outside. Pomeranians have a long life expectancy of about 12 to 16 years, thus you will have more bonding time with it if you keep one.
Dachshund or the ‘sausage dog’ is another long-living dog breed that live several years longer than normal breeds. At least one Dachshund is known to have lived for 21 years. A normal Dachshund can live up to 12 to 17 years on average. Dachshunds come in a different size, coat, and color. In addition to standard size, they also comes in miniature and kaninchen (rabbit in German language) size. The kaninchen size is not recognised by all kennel clubs by the way. Besides, Dachshunds have three varieties: Short haired, long haired and wirehaired. Dachshund also come in different colour and marking combination. In general, Dachshund are playful, lively, loyal and courageous. Dachshunds may not be the best pet for small children as they can be agressive toward people or other animals if they are not trained and socialised properly.
Yorkshire Terrier or ‘Yorkie’(nickname) is another tiny breeds that is well-known for its longevity. Yorkies was originally called as broken-haired Scotch terrier.Yorkies can live for 14 to 17 years. Although they are small in size, Yorkies are lively, curious and an attention seeker. They tend bark a lot. This makes them a potential good watchdog. An interesting thing about Yorkies is they also come in tiny size called Teacup Yorkie. Adult Teacup Yorkie wieghts only two to four pounds on average.
Another ancient dog breed Shih Tzu, which its name can literally translated as ‘lion’ in Chinese, were kept as pet by Chinese royalty for centuries. They are adorable,sweet and friendly toward everyone (they are certainly not a good candidate for watchdog) . They usually don’t have many health problems. Just make sure to keep them well groomed all the time. With a lifespan up to 10 to 18 years on average, they make a good company that can keep you entertaining all day long for years.
All poodles and poodle mix have a relatively long lifespan. Toy poodles have the longest expected lifespans among the group. A toy poodle can live 14 to 18 years under good care. Just like other poodles, toy poodles are easy to train and intelligent. They are just beautiful and sweet. Like normal dogs, they need plenty of physical and mental exercises like games or brisk walks.
Jack Russell Terrier is a medium size dog breed that originated from England. It was later exported, developed and was given a standard written record in Australia. They are cute and energetic. They can spend their whole days outdoor. They have an average life expectancy of 16 to 20 years. Perhaps their high energy level is what keep them living for such a long time.
Chihuahuas are one of the longest living dog breeds, perhaps they are also one of the smallest dog breed. Chihuahuas live an average of 15 to 20 years. The longest living Chihuahua recorded is a 20 years old Chihuahua called ‘megabyte’. Some people said that they can live long largely because they are not prone to any serious illness. The Chihuahua is full of spirit, bold and intelligent. These tiny dogs are extremely devoted to their people especially kids. Chihuahua requires only a little exercise due to their small body size.
Size and specific breeds aren’t the sole factors in determining the life expectancy of dogs. There are many other factors that you can control may affect lifespan of your dog. For instance, a healthy lifestyle and a good veterinary care. Simply put, as long as your dog receive quality care, it has a high chance to live a longer life regardless of its size and breed.