The short answer
The average dog lives 10 to 13 years. Small breeds live longest (12 to 16 years), giant breeds shortest (6 to 10 years). Within any breed, the single biggest controllable factor is weight — lean dogs reliably outlive overweight ones by 1 to 2 years.
Dog lifespan by breed (full table)
Sorted by size. Lifespans are typical ranges from veterinary sources; well-cared-for dogs at the top of the range are common. Where we have a dedicated breed page, the breed name links through.
| Breed | Lifespan | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Small breeds | ||
| Chihuahua | 14 to 16 years | Among the longest-lived breeds. |
| Pomeranian | 12 to 16 years | — |
| Yorkshire Terrier (Yorkie) | 13 to 16 years | — |
| Dachshund (Doxie) | 12 to 16 years | — |
| Pug | 12 to 15 years | Brachycephalic breed; weight management is critical. |
| Pembroke Welsh Corgi | 12 to 14 years | — |
| Cardigan Welsh Corgi | 12 to 15 years | — |
| Poodle (Miniature/Toy) | 14 to 17 years | — |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 9 to 14 years | — |
| French Bulldog | 10 to 12 years | Brachycephalic; prone to breathing and spinal issues. |
| Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie) | 12 to 14 years | — |
| Medium breeds | ||
| Beagle | 12 to 15 years | — |
| Border Collie | 12 to 15 years | — |
| Poodle (Standard) | 12 to 15 years | — |
| Goldendoodle | 10 to 15 years | — |
| Labradoodle | 12 to 15 years | — |
| English Bulldog | 8 to 10 years | Shorter lifespan due to brachycephalic and joint issues. |
| Basset Hound | 10 to 12 years | — |
| Boxer | 10 to 12 years | Higher cancer risk than average. |
| Pit Bull / Staffordshire Terrier | 12 to 14 years | — |
| Australian Shepherd | 12 to 15 years | — |
| Cocker Spaniel | 12 to 15 years | — |
| Mixed Breed (Small/Med) | 12 to 16 years | Mixed breeds often outlive size-matched purebreds. |
| Large breeds | ||
| Labrador Retriever | 10 to 12 years | Recent studies suggest lean Labs may reach 13 to 14. |
| Golden Retriever | 10 to 12 years | Cancer is a leading cause of death; screening helps. |
| German Shepherd | 9 to 13 years | — |
| Siberian Husky | 12 to 15 years | — |
| Greyhound | 10 to 13 years | — |
| Doberman Pinscher | 10 to 12 years | — |
| Rottweiler | 8 to 10 years | Bone cancer risk shortens average lifespan. |
| Mixed Breed (Large) | 10 to 14 years | — |
| Giant breeds | ||
| Bernese Mountain Dog | 7 to 10 years | One of the shortest-lived breeds; cancer risk is high. |
| Newfoundland | 9 to 10 years | — |
| Saint Bernard | 8 to 10 years | — |
| Great Dane | 7 to 10 years | Heart conditions and bloat are leading causes of death. |
| Bullmastiff | 7 to 9 years | — |
| Mastiff | 6 to 10 years | — |
| Irish Wolfhound | 6 to 8 years | Among the shortest-lived purebreds. |
Adopting a senior? Read our senior dogs guide for what to expect from older rescues.
Why small dogs live longer than big dogs
It is the most counterintuitive thing about mammals: in nearly every species, larger animals live longer (whales outlive mice). But within dogs, the opposite is true — a Chihuahua routinely outlives a Great Dane by a decade.
The leading explanation from veterinary research: large breeds grow faster and age faster. A Great Dane reaches adult size in about 18 months; a Chihuahua in roughly the same time stays barely 5 lbs. The cellular cost of that rapid growth, plus higher rates of cancer in large breeds, shortens lifespan.
For each 4.4 lbs (2 kg) of adult body weight, life expectancy drops by roughly one month, according to a widely cited 2013 study from the American Naturalist.
What actually affects how long your dog lives
The four levers you can pull, ranked by impact:
- Weight. The single most important controllable factor. A 14-year Purina Labrador study found lean Labs lived a median 1.8 years longer than overweight ones. Keep your dog at body condition score 4 to 5 out of 9 (you should easily feel ribs but not see them sharply).
- Dental care. Periodontal disease is the most common adult-dog disease and is linked to heart, kidney, and liver damage. Daily brushing or a vet-recommended dental chew adds years.
- Spay/neuter timing. For large and giant breeds, recent research suggests waiting until growth plates close (12 to 18 months) reduces joint disease and certain cancers. For small breeds the timing matters less.
- Exercise. Daily activity matters but quantity matters less than quality. Two 30-minute walks plus mental enrichment is more impactful than one long off-leash run.
Senior dog timeline by size
Knowing when your dog enters “senior” status changes when you should start twice-yearly vet visits, bloodwork screening, and joint support.
- Small breeds (under 25 lbs) — senior at age 10 to 12
- Medium breeds (25 to 50 lbs) — senior at age 8 to 10
- Large breeds (50 to 90 lbs) — senior at age 7 to 8
- Giant breeds (90+ lbs) — senior at age 5 to 6
Other “how long can a dog” questions
A few related questions adopters ask alongside lifespan:
- How long does a dog's heat last? The full estrus cycle runs 2 to 4 weeks. Bleeding lasts 7 to 10 days; the fertile window is the following 7 to 10 days. Most unspayed females cycle every 6 months.
- How long can a dog go without water? 2 to 3 days before serious dehydration. Any dog that stops drinking for more than 12 hours needs a vet.
- How long can a dog go without food? 3 to 5 days for a healthy adult, but stopping eating for 24+ hours warrants a vet check.
- How long can dogs go without peeing? Adults: 8 to 10 hours max. Puppies: roughly 1 hour per month of age. If your dog suddenly cannot pee, that is an emergency — possible obstruction.
Frequently asked questions
How long do dogs live on average?
The average dog lives 10 to 13 years. Small breeds typically live 12 to 16 years, medium breeds 10 to 14 years, large breeds 8 to 12 years, and giant breeds 6 to 10 years.
Do mixed-breed dogs live longer than purebreds?
Generally yes — mixed-breed dogs of the same size typically outlive purebreds by 1 to 2 years thanks to greater genetic diversity (“hybrid vigour”). One UK study of 80,000+ dogs found the average mixed-breed lived 11.8 years vs 11.0 years for purebreds.
What is the longest-lived dog breed?
Toy and small breeds dominate longevity. Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, Yorkies, Dachshunds, and Toy Poodles routinely live 14 to 16+ years. The oldest verified dog (Bobi, a Portuguese Rafeiro do Alentejo) lived 31 years — though that record has since been disputed.
What is the shortest-lived dog breed?
Giant working breeds: Irish Wolfhound (6 to 8 years), Bernese Mountain Dog (7 to 10), Great Dane (7 to 10), and English Bulldog (8 to 10). For Berners, cancer affects roughly half of all dogs.
Do rescue dogs live as long as breeder dogs?
Yes, often longer. Mixed-breed rescues benefit from genetic diversity. The bigger lifespan factors are the things you control after adoption (weight, dental care, exercise) — not where the dog came from.
Can I extend my dog's lifespan?
Realistically, you can add 1 to 3 years through weight management, dental care, regular vet visits, and quality nutrition. Trying to dramatically beyond breed averages is not well-supported by evidence — the breed range is the breed range.
Related guides
Looking for a long-lived companion?
Browse small and medium dogs at Calgary rescues — the breeds with the longest lifespans.
Browse Calgary Adoptable Dogs →