How long will your dog live? The answer depends on its breed, its size, and its weight — and on the care you give it. This guide is the dog life expectancy by breed: the breeds that live longest and shortest on this site, the lifespans by size, and the factors that add years or take them away. Every figure is a typical range, not a promise: individual dogs vary, and the care you give matters more than the breed label. The dog lifespan estimator estimates a lifespan for any breed and size.
The short version is: small breeds live longest, large breeds live shortest, and weight matters more than breed. A toy breed typically lives 12 to 16 years, a small breed 12 to 15, a medium breed 10 to 14, a large breed 10 to 12, and a giant breed 7 to 10 — for cats, small and medium breeds typically live 12 to 16 years, and large breeds 10 to 14. The longest living dog breeds guide gives the eight longest lived breeds, and the healthiest dog breeds guide gives the breeds with the longest typical lifespans and the fewest listed health issues.
Dog life expectancy by breed
The table below lists the five longest lived and five shortest lived dog breeds on this site. Use it to see where your breed sits, and to know what to expect — not as a countdown, but as a guide to the care your dog needs at each stage of its life.
| Breed | Size | Typical lifespan | Group |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese Crested | Toy | 13–18 years | Longest |
| Xoloitzcuintli | Medium | 13–18 years | Longest |
| Afghan Hound | Large | 12–18 years | Longest |
| Rat Terrier | Small | 12–18 years | Longest |
| Poodle (Standard) | Large | 10–18 years | Longest |
| Irish Wolfhound | Giant | 6–8 years | Shortest |
| Bullmastiff | Large | 7–9 years | Shortest |
| Neapolitan Mastiff | Giant | 7–9 years | Shortest |
| Scottish Deerhound | Giant | 8–9 years | Shortest |
| Leonberger | Giant | 8–9 years | Shortest |
Read the table from top to bottom and the pattern is clear: the longest lived breeds are small, and the shortest lived breeds are large. A Chinese Crested typically lives 13–18 years, while an Irish Wolfhound typically lives 6–8 years. The dog breed comparison tool compares any two breeds side by side.
Life expectancy by size
A toy breed typically lives 12 to 16 years, a small breed 12 to 15, a medium breed 10 to 14, a large breed 10 to 12, and a giant breed 7 to 10. Those are ranges, not promises, and they overlap: a large breed that is kept lean and healthy can outlive a small breed that is overweight and never checked by a vet.
Size is the strongest predictor of lifespan in dogs, stronger than breed group or temperament. The reason is still being studied, but the most likely explanation is that large breeds grow faster and age faster — their cells divide more, and they accumulate damage sooner — while small breeds grow more slowly and age more slowly. A large dog is also more prone to certain cancers and to joint problems, which shorten its life. The dog lifespan calculator guide works out an estimated lifespan for your dog, and the dog age calculator works out the human-age equivalent for any age.
What adds years to a dog's life
Four things make the biggest difference to a dog's lifespan: weight, diet, exercise, and vet care. A dog that is kept lean, fed a measured amount of a complete diet, exercised every day, and checked by a vet once a year as an adult and twice a year as a senior, will live longer than one that is overweight, overfed, under-exercised, and never checked. Keeping a dog lean is the single most effective thing an owner can do: studies of Labrador Retrievers have found that lean dogs live about two years longer than overweight ones.
Neutering is also linked to a longer life in most studies, though the effect varies by breed and by the age at neutering — ask your vet about the timing for your breed. Dental care matters too: dental disease is common in dogs, and it is linked to heart and kidney disease, so a dog whose teeth are checked and cleaned will live longer than one whose teeth are ignored. The dog calorie calculator guide works out how much to feed, and the is my dog overweight calculator guide helps you check your own dog's condition.
What takes years off a dog's life
Being overweight is the biggest avoidable factor: an overweight dog of any breed lives a shorter life than a lean one of the same breed, and the effect is large. Being under-exercised is next: a dog that does not move enough loses muscle, gains fat, and ages faster. Missing vet checks is third: a dog that is not checked regularly will have its diseases found late, when they are harder to treat, and a vet who knows your dog will notice changes sooner.
For cats, being allowed to roam outdoors unsupervised is also a major factor: outdoor cats are commonly cited as living about 2 to 5 years, against 10 to 15 years for indoor cats, because of traffic, predators, fights, and disease. For dogs, being left alone all day, or being kept in a way that does not suit the breed, is a major factor in stress and behaviour problems. The how long do dogs live guide gives the lifespans by size and by lifestyle, and the when is a dog considered a senior guide gives the senior thresholds by size.
How to use life expectancy
Use life expectancy to plan, not to worry: a dog with a typical lifespan of 10 years needs a different plan from one with a typical lifespan of 16 years. A short-lived breed needs senior care earlier — twice-yearly vet checks from about 6 or 7 years — while a long-lived breed needs it later, from about 10 or 11 years. A dog that is expected to live long needs a diet that supports it for longer, and an owner who can commit for longer.
Use it to choose a breed, too: if a long life is your priority, a small breed is the better choice — but the best breed for you is the one that fits your home and your time, not the one at the top of a list. A breed is a starting point, not a promise, and the individual dog matters more than the label. The dog breed selector quiz helps you choose a breed that fits your home, and the pet cost calculator works out the cost over a dog's life.
For related reading, see the dog lifespan estimator, the longest living dog breeds guide, the healthiest dog breeds guide, the dog lifespan calculator guide, the dog calorie calculator guide, the how long do dogs live guide.
Frequently asked questions
How long will my dog live?
It depends on its breed, its size, and its weight — and on the care you give it. A toy breed typically lives 12 to 16 years, a small breed 12 to 15, a medium breed 10 to 14, a large breed 10 to 12, and a giant breed 7 to 10. The table above lists the five longest lived and five shortest lived breeds on this site.
Which breeds live longest?
Chinese Crested is at the top of the list on this site, typically living 13–18 years. The longest living dog breeds guide gives the eight longest lived breeds in full.
Which breeds live shortest?
Irish Wolfhound is at the bottom of the list on this site, typically living 6–8 years. The shortest living dog breeds guide gives the eight shortest lived dog breeds in full.
Does weight affect life expectancy?
Yes — an overweight dog of any breed lives a shorter life than a lean one of the same breed. Studies of Labrador Retrievers have found that lean dogs live about two years longer than overweight ones. Keeping a dog lean is the single most effective thing an owner can do to help it live long.
Do indoor dogs live longer than outdoor ones?
For dogs, the question is less about indoors and outdoors and more about exercise, company, and care — a dog that is exercised, trained, and checked by a vet will live longer than one that is not, whatever its home.
When is a dog considered a senior?
A dog is usually considered a senior from about 10 years for a toy or small dog, 8 to 10 for a medium dog, 7 to 8 for a large dog, and 6 to 7 for a giant dog. Those are rough guides, and your vet may move the boundary earlier or later depending on your individual dog's health.
Results on this page are estimates for general information only and are not veterinary advice. If your pet is ill, underweight, overweight, pregnant, or has a health condition, consult your veterinarian before changing diet or care.