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10 Long Living Dog Breeds
We adore our dogs and many people wonder how long our dogs will be with us. Some people may even research which are the longest living dogs breeds when they deciding which dog to adopt. While nothing is sure in life except the love of a dog today we talk about 10 long living dog breeds.
There is nothing better that hitting the road with your canine best friend. To keep all of dogâs gear together then why not invest in one of the best travel bags for your small dog.
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With this said it’s important to note that there is no certainty when it comes to how long any canine will live. Large breeds, medium and small breed dogs life span will will vary. However there are certain breeds whose life spans tend to be longer.
With 300 plus different types of dog breeds worldwide, there is huge variability in the size and appearances of our four legged companions. And no matter the breed, some just like humans live longer that others for a variety of reasons. Today we talk about some of the breeds of dogs that breeds that live longer than others.
10 Long Living Dog Breeds
On average the lifespan for dogs across all breeds is 11 years. Some breeds have short life expectancy while other live to a grand age of 17 years. Here, we break down the longest living dog breeds based on their average lifespan.
Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu breed was bred as a companion for members of royalty in China. They are happy little dogs that are will happily walk alongside you or dwell in your apartment. These loyal little dog that long-hair that requires daily brushing. This is to prevent matted fur. So if this is not for you, then take them to a good groomer when they are young and you can keep a cute puppy cut style.
Shih Tzus are prone to allergic skin disease, such as yeast so a quality diet is essential for them. On average a Shi Tzu may live to the age of approximately 13 years.
Yorkshire Terrier aka “Yorkie”
Adorable Yorkshire Terrier
Also known as Yorkies, the toy breeds only weigh about 7 pounds. In addition there is a teacup yorkshire terrier too. These adorable and sociable dogs have hair instead of fur that will grow very long. Its important to keep their hair trimmed neatly in addition to daily grooming.
Yorkies are pretty healthy overall. One of the most common ailments is that they may suffer from luxating patellas (knee caps that slide out of place). Common in small dogs they may suffer with tracheal collapse, and its important to care for their gums and teeth as they often get periodontal (gum) disease. Their average lifespan of 14 years (We had our Bonnie for 15).
Chihuahua
Full of personality Chihuahuas are full of fun. While the small breed is around 6-pound there are lots of sizes and mixes of this breed. If you visit Mexico you will see these little dogs everywhere and not only with the locals. These fun and little guys are very portable and often in the arms of their traveling parents. In addition to family living they adapt well to apartment living. They blend in well to a family or happy to be with favorite human.
These dogs have hair so a gentle brushing daily along with a bath once in a while and keeping their nails trimmed overall they are pretty low maintenance. While Chihuahuas tend to be healthy, the most common genetic issues include heart problems. The may get eye problems as their eyes protrude a little, and like many small dogs get luxating patellas. On average they are a long life breed with a lifespan average of 13 years.
If a Chihuahua is for you the consider a rescue dog or any such breed above or a mix for that matter.
Australian Shepherd
Australian Shepherds, is one of the larger long living dog breeds. They are affectionately referred to as Aussies. These fun fluff balls are medium-size dogs that are part of the herding group. They are known for agility and their intelligence and they need lots of exercise especially as puppies. Aussies are very high-energy dogs and they will require brain training and games for dogs to provide plenty of stimulation.
When purchasing an Aussie from a breeder, take the time to find responsible source as i the event you need to deal with epilepsy of which they are prone to. These loving and energetic dogs have an average lifespan of 13 years.
Pugs
Over the last decade pugs have captured the heart of their humans. The adorable Pug dog breed makes for a wonderful companion. They are happy hanging out with their human or playing ball at the dog park. While these muscle pups are happy to hang out it is important to keep them active to avoid obesity. Like most dogs pug love to eat and they will happily eat as much as you give. So be careful to watch their diets and not give them only healthy and low calorie treats.
In addition to weight this flat nose breed is prone to a variety of health issues. One of which is brachycephalic of which may they can experience breathing difficulties. This can both reduce the quantity and quality of a pugs life span. With this condition flying with a Pug is difficult and many airlines will not allow flat nose breeds on board.
They may also commonly experience eye issues, hip dysplasia, and luxating patellas. For this reason, it is especially important to manage their weight in an effort to help them age well. On average 13 years.
Pomeranian Long Living Dog Breed
Pomeranians are defined by their very fluffy coat and bright eyes. They are full of fun and have a âbig dogâ personality. These fluff balls require daily brushing and grooming and care to prevent matting. The Pom toy breed is a small breed that average 7 lbs and there are teacup and standard size.
Pomeranian breeds are prone to hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone levels), Alopecia X (balding), luxating patellas, and collapsing tracheas which is often heard as a inverted sneeze. Their average lifespan is 15 years. Our Pom Tekabell blessed our lives until she was 17.
Beagle
Beagles are small-breed dogs that were originally bred for hunting. They make for wonderful family dogs, and ideal for active families.
One thing to note about these long ear cuties is they tend to have a loud bark that may be off-putting to some. With regards to health Beagles tend to become overweight, so daily exercise and a good diet is crucial.
In addition there is a tendency toward intervertebral disc disease can lead to significant back issues. The Beagleâs adorable floppy ears also make it more likely to develop ear infections so regular ear cleaning is recommended. Their average longevity age is 13 years.
Miniature Schnauzer
These little Schnauzers are smart terriers with lots of personality. They require regular exercise, grooming and regular ear cleaning to avoid mites. Overall Mini Schnauzers tend to have good health but can develop pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), as well as liver shunts, and bladder stones. A good diet, exercise will help them to live a long full life with their average longevity is 15 years.
Miniature/Toy Poodle
The small-sized Poodles top most charts for longevity. The toys are teeny tiny and the minis a bit larger. This breed is a favorite dog of groomers as they can rock a variety of dos and fun hair colors. Poodles are known for their high intelligence and trainability. Their health tends to be excellent but they may have issues with hip dysplasia and luxating patellas. Average lifespan: 16 years
Boston Terrier
Bostons are sturdy little dogs that are well suited to urban environments. They tend to have a very good demeanor. Boston Terriers should be screened for a variety of health issues prior to breeding including brachycephalic airway syndrome, cataracts, deafness, and skin allergies. Average lifespan: 15 years
Concluding Dog Breeds That Live Longer
Beside the longevity of a dog it is crucial to consider other factors, such as the size and energy level to ensure a dog is the best fit for your lifestyle. Having a dog is commitments for 17 years as it is possible for a dog to live this long and more. And please consider adopting a rescue dog or shelter dog; there are beautiful puppies and dogs that are available in all breeds, mixes and sizes.
And once you find the right dog rest assure you life will be full and they will increase your longevity too!
Below are a few of the rescue dogs who I have been blessed to share my life with.
Longest Living Dog Breeds: Care Tips
Even if you own one of the above breeds, proper care and nutrition is vital to helping your pup live as long as possible. Here are some tips to follow.
Feed a quality diet. Make sure that you offer your dog a high quality diet that is certified as complete and balanced for her particular life stage. Your veterinarian is your best resource for advising you on the best diet for your dog.
Keep up on dental care. Small breed dogs are usually the breeds living the longest but also those that have the worst issues with their teeth. To ensure that these breeds live into their teens with a good quality of life, starting dental care, like annual cleanings and brushing teeth, at an early age is strongly recommended.
Schedule regular vet checks. For dogs entering their senior years frequent veterinary check-ups are key to catching problems like arthritis, heart murmurs, and kidney issues, which commonly arise with old age. If these problems are caught and treated early, your pup can continue to thrive for years to come.