Bringing home a dog is always the most cheerful time for families, but at the same time, the fear of losing them can surely break your heart. If you’re a dog lover who wants a furry friend for as long as you can imagine, these longest living dog breeds are the best option for you.
We have gathered 9 generally healthy and energetic dogs who make your life fun while being great family pets. These dogs can live beyond their teens if proper attention is given to their health and routine veterinary care is provided.
Read on to learn more about these longest living dog breeds, how you can provide them proper care along with a nutritious and well balanced diet to ensure they spend a healthy and happy life.
Remarkable Dog Breeds With The Longest Lifespans
1. Yorkshire Terrier
A British toy breed and the smallest of the Terrier canines, Yorkies are known to be small dogs with a big personality. According to PDSA, these four-legged pups are lap dogs who thrive on human attention and show a lot of love and affection towards their pet parents.
These small dogs have one of the longest life expectancies, living for 12-16 years or even more if taken good care of. Don’t let their small size fool you, these dog breeds are highly energetic and require daily walks along with an interactive play session with their owners to stay healthy and happy.
Yorkies have long, silky hair, which needs to be groomed to keep them looking cute and charming. They can be a bit stubborn, but reward-based and positive reinforcement training solves everything.
These pups are prone to many health issues, which is why it is recommended to schedule regular vet check-ups so that no symptom gets missed. As pet parents, you must ensure they get a proper diet, which is important for their health and well-being.
2. Bichon Frise
With a lifespan of 12-15 years, Bichon Frise dogs are adaptable companions who are alert and conscious of their surroundings, which makes them excellent watchdogs. They may be small dogs, but they don’t shy away from protecting their loved ones.
Bichon Frises are loving and affectionate small dogs who get along well with everyone in the house. These pups were originally bred to provide companionship to their pet parents, which is why they thrive on human interaction and like being surrounded by family.
Their coat requires regular grooming to prevent matting and make them look their best at all times. As far as their exercise needs are concerned, to ensure they live a happy and healthy lifespan, they must be provided with an adequate diet, daily walks, and interactive play time to prevent them from developing health issues.
3. Shih Tzu
An ancient small dog breed from Tibet, the Shih Tzu is also known as the lion dog because of its fluffy double coat. They are lovable, loyal, and have high intelligence, which makes them great companions. They are an affectionate breed but not overly clingy, says Purina UK.
They have a royal look because of their silky coat, which must be maintained with regular grooming.
They have an independent personality, which can make training somewhat challenging, but reward based approach always makes the process easier. Shih Tzus are a good fit for first-time pet owners because of their playful and lively attitude. They get along well with everyone but are wary of strangers.
Though generally healthy, it is still recommended that pet parents focus on providing proper nutrition to maintain a healthy weight, which allows them to stay healthy for nearly two decades. These pups must be given a proper diet that is suitable for small breeds to ensure their nutrient needs are being met, which can contribute to their longevity.
4. Shiba Inu
Famous for being more like a cat than a dog, the Shiba Inu is an ancient dog breed that originated in Japan. These pups were originally bred to hunt small game animals, but have become popular family pets in today’s world. These small breeds are among the longest living dogs in the canine world.
They are friendly dogs, which is why they like staying among people. According to PetMD, anyone who owns a Shiba Inu can tell you about the famous Shiba scream, which you get to hear if they are left alone for a long time.
These are high-energy dogs who require a lot of exercise and mental stimulation for their sharp minds.
Proper attention should be given to their diet to ensure they don’t overfeed, as they are prone to obesity and may develop conditions that may affect their quality of life. To ensure the longevity of their life, they must get consistent training, a high-quality diet, and routine vet visits for their health concerns.
5. Dachshunds
Dachshunds, also known as the wiener dogs, are charming dogs who tend to be your long-term companions. They have a life expectancy of 12-16 years, earning them the title of a long-lived breed. Their overall well-being depends on quality of life, a nutritious diet, and physical activity.
These long-bodied dogs are famous for their loyalty, playful spirit, and the ability to form strong bonds with their owners. Dachshunds get along well with kids and even other breeds in the vicinity; all they need is early socialization to stay well-behaved pets.
These short-legged sausage dogs are prone to various health conditions, especially because of their long bodies. It is crucial to pay attention to these dogs and prevent them from jumping to ensure they get to spend their golden years staying healthy.
6. Maltese
The ancient toy dog breed of Malta, the Maltese dogs are small, playful, and beautiful looking canines. They come under one of the longest living dog breeds, with a lifespan of 12-15 years. These dogs were bred to be companions, which is why they get along well with their family and like to be involved in all adventures.
These canines have moderate exercise needs, and all they need to be the healthiest dog breeds are daily short walks and interactive play sessions with kids. They love playing with puzzle toys as they can be a little challenging and help to keep their mind sharp.
A healthy diet equals a healthier life, which is why it is essential for pet parents to give proper attention to their eating habits. They are generally healthy, but there are certain health problems that they inherit, and pet parents must ensure regular exercise and vet visits to ensure a long living breed.
These pups are prone to dental diseases, which must be taken care of with a proper brushing routine to maintain optimal tooth health.
7. Australian Cattle Dog
Extraordinary personality and a hardy breed, Australian Cattle Dogs hold a Guinness World Record for being the oldest dog from the canine world. These dogs have a long life of 12-16 years and are known for their strength, stamina, and endurance.
These pups require regular exercise and like having an active lifestyle. These large dogs may not be the most ideal pets for small living spaces or apartment life. They are fiercely loyal to their owners and do not like being separated from them for a long time.
They are prone to many health problems like eye defects, deafness, heart diseases, orthopedic issues, and hip dysplasia. Regular vet checkups are recommended to ensure optimal overall health. You must also follow a proper diet for them with healthy fats to ensure a strong heart and prevent other diseases.
8. Miniature Schnauzer
Generally healthy and long-lived breed, Miniature Schnauzers are a German small canine with a bright and vigilant temperament. This sturdy breed has a muscular body and is strong, which ensures these dogs live longer.
These pups have a high prey drive and are prone to barking, which is why training and socialization are essential.
A life expectancy of 12-15 years is not an exception because of these pups being highly active and healthy breeds. However, they do acquire some hereditary health issues such as liver shunt, urinary stones, cataracts, etc.
Always ensure your dogs have access to fresh water and a well-balanced diet, so they live longer than others.
The key to optimal health is to ensure these gentle dogs go for regular vet checkups so that no symptom gets missed, and even if they are at risk, they can be treated.
9. Chihuahua
Tiny dogs with big personalities, Chihuahuas are small dog breeds that are alert and loyal. They form strong bonds with their owners and are affectionate with children. They do well with kids who are gentle towards them and behave well. They can be great watchdogs and bark to alert their owners if something isn’t right.
Regular exercise and mental stimulation are essential to ensure they stay healthy both mentally and physically. Their average lifespan is 14-16 years, which is much longer than that of other dogs’ lifespans. However, they are prone to many health issues like dental diseases, hypoglycemia, etc.
These dogs are so small that obesity can cause joint issues in them, which is why weight management is essential to keep them healthy, improve the quality of their life, and increase their life expectancy. Maintaining a balanced diet, keeping them active, and routine checkups are essential for an ideal life for dogs.
Conclusion
These canines are some of the healthiest pups that you will ever come across, which explains their long life expectancy. These dogs live longer than other breeds and may even exceed their life span if given proper care and attention.
These dogs must be provided with a nutritious diet according to their size and age, along with regular exercise to stay healthy and happy. These dogs can be your lifelong companions as compared to those with shorter lifespans, so you don’t have to go through the heartbreak of losing your beloved pet.
