30 Healthiest Dog Breeds and Theirs Lifespans

When welcoming a new dog into your home, there is one wish every owner shares – the wish for the dog to stay healthy and happy.

Your dog is a part of the family, and so it is important to look after their health as much as you would anyone else. In fact, pets often need even more attention than humans because they can’t communicate with words when something is wrong.

Therefore, it is up to you as the owner to keep an eye on them, notice when something has changed, and take action to fix it. That’s why we always recommend regular visits to the vet for routine check-ups.

Hundreds of dog breeds are out there, each with unique personality traits and appearances. However, it is also important to note that different breeds come with different health histories. Some breeds are, on average, much healthier than others, while some breeds are more susceptible to illness or disease.

That’s why we have created this all-you-need-to-know guide on the healthiest dog breeds in the world!

How long does the average dog live?

The worst thing about owning a dog is probably the fact they do not live as long as humans. We wish they could stick around for the entirety of our lives, but our four-legged friends are often only there to see a small part of our time on Earth.

The average life expectancy of a dog depends on a number of things, including the breed, their diet, their exercise, their size, and whether they suffered from any illnesses or diseases.

That being said, the average life expectancy across dogs in general, is around 12 years and eight months. This is an average based on death by natural causes. Unfortunately, most dogs do not pass away in this fashion. 68% are killed by disease or have to be euthanized, while only 8% of dogs live longer than 15 years. Just like in humans, cancer is one of the main sources of dog deaths, as well as numerous other canine health problems.

Does the size of a dog impact health?

The size of a dog is directly linked with health problems. In short, the bigger a dog is, the sooner it reaches the geriatric stage of life. Giant dogs hit that mark after seven years, large dogs at eight years, medium at ten, and smaller breeds become senior by age eleven.

What are the healthiest dog breeds?

Let’s take a look through our list of some of the healthiest dog breeds in the world:

1. Beagle

The life expectancy of 13-15 years.

The Beagle can live up to 15 years and is known to be a bundle of friendly energy to have around the place, especially in homes with children.

2. Shiba Inu

The usual life expectancy of 14-16 years.

Not only is the Shiba Inu one of the prettiest dogs to look at in the canine world, but it is also among the healthiest with a potential life expectancy of up to 16 years. However, the Shiba Inu does need a lot of training and socializing during the early years as they can misbehave. It is unusual to find a medium-sized dog that lives this long.

3. Siberian Husky

The life expectancy of 12-14 years.

Another dog that needs an experienced owner as they can be rather cheeky. They are very outgoing and need a lot of training to keep them in line. They are also very independent dogs, so they are perfect for owners who are looking for that.

4. Alaskan Malamute

The life expectancy of 13 years.

A very talkative dog that prefers the colder climate. So, if you live somewhere chilly and want a friend who will chat with you all day, look no further. They are great with children but tend not to be very good with other animals.

RELATED: Malamute vs. Husky

5. Bergamasco

The average life expectancy of 14 years.

One of the healthiest dog breeds around, but a surge in recent popularity has led to some less-than-reputable breeders flooding the market. Make sure to get your Bergamasco from a trusted source to avoid any unwanted health problems. They are great with children and have a very distinctive dreadlock style.

6. German Shepherd

The life expectancy of 10-11 years.

Perfect for anyone looking for a watchdog as they are naturally distrusting of strangers and are easy to train, thanks to their big brains. Lots of energy and perfect for households with children. They need an owner who will closely train them and bond with them, who they respect as the ‘pack leader’; otherwise, they may not listen.

7. Australian Shepherd

The life expectancy of 15 years.

They are famously used as work dogs because they are easy to train and very agile. However, they do have a playful side to them too. As a larger breed of dog, they live longer than almost any other.

8. Australian Cattle Dog

The life expectancy of 13-14 years.

Also known as Blue Heeler, they are famous for being playful but also clever and fit, which is why they are perfect for an active household who are always out and about doing things.

9. English Foxhound

The average life expectancy of 13 years.

This breed loves to play all day long and get on great with both children and other pets. However, they will follow their nose to the end of the Earth, so make sure to keep them secure in the house/garden; otherwise, they will likely wander off.

10. English Springer Spaniel

The life expectancy of 13 years.

They are not the best guard dog in the world as they want to play with every human they meet, even intruders. However, that does mean they are very loving and friendly and want to spend as much time with their loved ones as possible.

11. Chihuahua

The life expectancy of 15-16 years.

Although they have a bad reputation for behavior and health, the Chihuahua is actually a very healthy dog breed as long as you get yours from a well-respected breeder. They can live up to 16 years, which is one of the longest life spans in the canine world.

12. Azawakh

The life expectancy of 11 years

A very calm and gentle dog that rarely makes a sound. They love their family but prefer not to be around loud children or cats. Prefers to live as an indoor dog.

READ MORE: Most Rare Dog Breeds

13. Greyhound

The average life expectancy of 13 years.

Very intelligent and trainable, the Greyhound needs a lot of exercises to stay healthy and happy. They are very loving dogs and thrive in family settings, even if there are other cats and dogs.

14. German Pinscher

The life expectancy of 14 years.

Unfortunately, the stereotype is that the Pinscher is an aggressive dog. The truth is, there are only aggressive if you train them to be that way. They make very good watchdogs and prefer to live with older children or no children.

15. German Shorthaired Pointer

The life expectancy of 12-13 years

If you are looking for a dog that lives a long time and doesn’t leave hair all around your home, then look no further. They also have a hardwired desire to please their owners, so they are very easy to train and a joy to spend time with.

16. Belgian Malinois

The life expectancy of 14 years

An active dog that is able to learn lots of cool tricks and tasks. They prefer to live with adults and no other animals.

RELATED: Belgian Malinois vs German Shepherd

17. Basenji

The life expectancy of 12 years

The Basenji doesn’t mind being left alone as it is said they were bred by nature. They do not bark often, so they are perfect for apartment owners and rarely shed, either. Lots of positives for the Basenji.

18. Labrador Retriever

The life expectancy of 10-14 years

One of the healthiest, friendliest, and most popular dog breeds on the planet. Need we say more?

19. Poodle

The life expectancy of 12 years.

They get along with people, animals, children, and even strangers. They are also very trainable thanks to their impressive brains. They are even hypoallergenic, so perfect for anyone looking to avoid sneezing all day long. Just be prepared to groom them a lot.

20. Border Collie

The life expectancy of 13 years.

The Border Collie is always on the watch to see what their owner needs. This makes them easy to look after and train because they want to please you so much. Make sure your Collie will always have some “work” to do. As high-energy dog, they always need mental and physical stimulation. Sedentary life is not exactly for them.

RELATED: Border Collie vs Australian Shepherd

21. Bichon Frise

The life expectancy of 14-15 years

They are very loyal to their owners but not great around other animals or children. They are pretty quiet dogs and like to stay close to their most-trusted human advisor.

READ MORE: All About Bichon Frise

22. Pembroke Welsh Corgi

The life expectancy of 10-15 years

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi loves to be given a job to do. Failing that, you will often see them herding the other pets around the home, or even children. They are very trainable and intelligent, so they are good for first-time owners.

RELATED: Cardigan Corgi VS Pembroke Corgi

23. Pharaoh Hound

The average life expectancy of 13 years.

Not the most famous breed, but definitely a healthy one. An intelligent and independent dog built for the extreme heat, not the cold.

24. Rottweiler

The life expectancy of 10 years.

Rottweilers can weigh as much as 135 pounds, so they are better for experienced owners who are comfortable dealing with a big dog. They are very brave but gentle and loving if trained right despite the stereotypes.

25. Shetland Sheepdog

The life expectancy of 13 years.

They are known to behave and rarely resort to destruction or escaping. They are also very clever problem-solvers.

26. Brittany Spaniel

The life expectancy of 12 years.

They are great to have around other animals and children and are known for being one of the best historic hunting dogs. Very playful, clever, and easy to train.

27. Havanese

The life expectancy of 13 years.

Bred to be a lap dog and nothing more. But these loving and entertaining bundles of joy do it so well!

28. Whippet

The life expectancy of 12-15 years.

A very quiet, social, friendly, and clever dog to have around the home. They love being surrounded by happiness every day.

29. Canaan Dog

The life expectancy of 13 years.

Very territorial so perfect for a watchdog. This does mean that they don’t get along with strangers, but they are very loving and loyal to their trusted owners.

30. Ibizan Hound

The life expectancy of 12 years.

They are great with children and easy to maintain with their short coats. They do love to try and escape over low fences, though.

Why do some breeds live longer than others?

It all comes down to that doggy DNA. Some breeds of dogs have simply developed a tendency to live longer than others. Some are also more likely to pick up certain diseases.

Can a dog’s life expectancy be increased?

There is no secret cheat code to extend your dog’s life expectancy. Unfortunately, diseases like cancer are often out of our control. What is in your dog’s DNA will always be in their DNA, and canines simply do not live as long as us humans. Just like every animal on the planet, dogs have a life expectancy and if they avoid illness, they will often die around that age of natural causes.

Of course, plenty of dogs live well beyond their life expectancy, just like you see some humans live over the age of 100. However, there is no correlation and no surefire way to ensure your dog is one of these long-lasting canines.

The best way to ensure your dog sticks around as long as possible is to adopt a breed that has a higher life expectancy. Obviously, maintaining healthy eating and exercise also gives them the best chance of staying in peak condition.

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