When getting a dog, there are many things to consider. What kind of dog do you want? What color should you get? Should you get a long-haired or a short-haired dog? Should you get a purebred or should you rescue? When thinking about getting a dog, one factor I considered is the lifespan of the breed. I have a very difficult time saying goodbye, so I like to choose a dog that has a traditionally long lifespan.
My little Sushi is a Maltipoo. A Maltipoo is a mix between a Maltese and a Poodle. Fortunately, Maltese and Poodle breeds are on the list for the longest living breeds. Maltese dogs have an expected lifespan of 15 years and Poodles have an expected lifespan of 16 years. I am comforted to know my Sushi will be with me for a long, long time.
What other breeds have long lifespans? In general, smaller breeds tend to live longer lives. There are always going to be exceptions and it really comes down to ensuring proper care for how long our fur babies live.
Beagles are reported to live 12-15 years.
The oldest beagle known died in 2009. Butch the beagle, from Virginia, was an astonishing 27 years old! Beagles are active and can be trained to be playful with other dogs in the house. They may need to be trained because they have a strong hunting instinct and spend more time in that mind frame than the playful one.
The longest living Lhasa Apso lived to be 29 years old!
The average lifespan is 15 years. This pup, due to its long, flowing hair, requires a lot of grooming. This beautiful pup also makes a better indoor dog because of its aversion toward strangers.
One of the larger breeds on the longest living list is the Australian Shephard
The Aussie traditionally lives 15 years. This breed is known for its herding and intelligence, but you must also be prepared for a large amount of energy coming from this dog.
The smallest breed of dog, the Chihuahua, is also one of the longest living breeds.
This tiny powerhouse commonly lives for 17 years. The Chihuahua is one of the longest living breeds because it isn’t prone to genetic diseases.
A popular pup people get is the Yorkshire Terrier.
Yorkies are playful and full of energy, but they do take some time to get used to other animals and children. This little fashion plate has a traditional lifespan of 13-16 years.
Jack Russel Terriers are an energetic choice in a pet.
They require lots of exercise but make great pets who live an average of 14 years. Once again, these pups aren’t prone to genetic diseases that can end their lives early.
Finally, we end with another one of the larger breeds on the list, and that is the Golden Retriever.
The AFC gives this sweet pup the distinction of being one of the 5 most popular breeds. Golden’s are loyal and loving and stay overall very healthy. This popular pup lives on the average 12 years.
