Which dog breeds live longer?

A large-scale study has uncovered the mystery of which dog breeds live longer. A scientific study carried out in the UK examined approximately 600,000 pets and found that life expectancy depended on the breed, size and shape of the dog's muzzle.

On average, dogs live about 12.5 years, but their lifespan can range from 5.4 to 15.4 years, depending on the breed. Lancashire Heelers have the longest life, while Caucasian Shepherd Dogs have the shortest – only 5.4 years.

A Dogs Trust study published in the journal Scientific Reports found that dogs with wide muzzles, such as pugs and French bulldogs, have a 40% lower life expectancy compared to other breeds. It was also found that Medium-sized dogs with wide muzzles have the lowest average lifespan: 9.1 years for males and 9.6 years for females.

Despite serious health problems such as breathing problems, digestive problems, as well as problems with the eyes and teeth, wide-faced dogs such as pugs (11.6 years) and French bulldogs (9.8 years) have increased in popularity. Dr Dan O'Neill, head of an expert panel including veterinarians, breeders and animal welfare organisations, told the Independent newspaper that there are problems and a “health and welfare crisis” in these breeds.

A new study highlights serious problems, revealing that dogs with wide muzzles live on average 1.5 years less than other breeds. It is important that potential owners prioritize a dog's health over a dog's appearance and think carefully before adopting a pet.

Long-lived breeds include the Lancashire Heeler, Tibetan Spaniel (15.2 years) and Mini Dachshund (14.0 years). Labradors (13.1 years) and cocker spaniels (13.3 years) also lived longer than average.

The study found that large dog breeds have a 20% higher risk of reduced life expectancy than small dogs. In addition, it was discovered that females live longer than males. Female dogs (12.7 years) live slightly longer than male dogs (12.4 years). Purebreds (12.7 years) also lived longer than mixed breeds (12 years).

Small dogs with long noses, such as whippets, had the longest average life expectancy (13.3 years). Dr. McMillan noted that the lifespan of dogs depends on their breed, size, muzzle shape and gender. In fact, medium-sized males with a flat face have a survival risk that is almost three times less likely than small dogs with a long muzzle.

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