Which dog breeds live the longest? The breeds at the top of the list are usually the small ones: a small dog that is kept lean, exercised, and checked by a vet every year typically lives longer than a large one. This guide lists the eight longest living dog breeds on this site, with their size, weight, lifespan, and temperament — and explains what actually makes a dog live long, because the breed is only part of the story. 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 Chinese Crested typically lives 13–18 years — the longest of any breed on this site — but a Chinese Crested that is overweight, under-exercised, and never checked by a vet will not live as long as a larger breed that is kept lean and healthy. The healthiest dog breeds guide gives the breeds with the longest typical lifespans and the fewest listed health issues, and the dog life expectancy by breed guide gives the lifespans breed by breed.
The longest living dog breeds
The table below lists the eight longest living dog breeds on this site, sorted by typical lifespan, longest first. Temperament is how each breed is commonly described, not a guarantee for an individual dog: individual dogs vary, and training, socialisation, and care shape a dog far more than its breed label does.
| Breed | Size | Typical adult weight | Typical lifespan | Temperament |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese Crested | Toy | 2–5 kg | 13–18 years | affectionate, playful, lively |
| Xoloitzcuintli | Medium | 4–14 kg | 13–18 years | friendly, calm, adaptable |
| Afghan Hound | Large | 23–27 kg | 12–18 years | independent, gentle, loyal |
| Rat Terrier | Small | 5–11 kg | 12–18 years | energetic, feisty, intelligent |
| Poodle (Standard) | Large | 20–32 kg | 10–18 years | friendly, calm, adaptable |
| Poodle (Miniature) | Small | 7–8 kg | 10–18 years | friendly, calm, adaptable |
| Poodle (Toy) | Toy | 3–4 kg | 10–18 years | affectionate, playful, lively |
| Shih Tzu | Small | 4–7 kg | 10–18 years | affectionate, playful, lively |
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 is a toy breed, typically 2–5 kg, with a typical lifespan of 13–18 years, and is commonly described as affectionate, playful, lively. The dog breed comparison tool compares any two breeds side by side.
Why small breeds live longer
Small breeds live longer than large ones for reasons that are still being studied, but the pattern is consistent across breeds: 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 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.
Weight matters as much as size: an overweight dog of any breed lives a shorter life than a lean one of the same breed, and the effect is large — 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. The dog ideal weight chart by size guide gives the ideal weight for every size, and the is my dog overweight calculator guide helps you check your own dog's condition.
What makes a dog live long
Beyond breed and size, 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. 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 senior dog diet guide covers feeding in the senior years.
How to help your dog live longer
Keep your dog lean: weigh it every month, feel its ribs and waist, and keep it at a body condition score of 4 or 5 out of 9. Feed it a measured amount of a complete diet, and do not let it gain weight after neutering — reduce the food by about 10 to 20 percent when it is neutered. Exercise it every day, and keep it active as it ages: a senior dog still needs exercise, but gentler and shorter. Take it to the vet once a year as an adult and twice a year as a senior, and do not skip dental checks.
Watch for the early signs of the diseases that shorten a dog's life: drinking more than usual, eating less, losing weight, coughing, limping, or a lump that does not go away. A dog that is checked early has a better chance than one that is checked late, and a vet who knows your dog will notice changes sooner. The dog lifespan calculator guide works out an estimated lifespan for your dog, and the when is a dog considered a senior guide gives the senior thresholds by size.
Breeds that do not live as long
The breeds that live shortest are usually the giant ones: a giant breed typically lives 7 to 10 years, against 12 to 16 for a toy breed. That is not a reason to avoid a giant breed — it is a reason to know what you are taking on, and to give it the best care you can. A giant breed that is kept lean, exercised, and checked by a vet will live longer than one that is not, and the years it does have can be very good ones.
If a long life is your priority, a small breed is the better choice — but a breed is a starting point, not a promise, and the individual dog matters more than the label. A Chinese Crested is at the top of this list because it lives longest of any breed on this site, 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. The shortest living dog breeds guide gives the breeds that live shortest, and the dog breed selector quiz helps you choose a breed that fits your home.
For related reading, see the dog lifespan estimator, the healthiest dog breeds guide, the dog life expectancy by breed guide, the dog ideal weight chart by size guide, the is my dog overweight calculator guide, the dog lifespan calculator guide.
Frequently asked questions
Which dog breeds live the longest?
Small breeds live longest: a Chinese Crested typically lives 13–18 years, the longest of any breed on this site. The eight breeds in the table above are the longest living on this site, sorted by typical lifespan, longest first. Every figure is a typical range, not a promise.
Why do small dogs live longer than large ones?
Small breeds grow more slowly and age more slowly than large ones, and they are less prone to certain cancers and joint problems. 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.
Does weight affect how long a dog lives?
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.
How can I help my dog live longer?
Keep it lean, feed it a measured amount of a complete diet, exercise it every day, and take it to the vet once a year as an adult and twice a year as a senior. Watch for early signs of disease — drinking more than usual, eating less, losing weight, coughing, limping, or a lump that does not go away — and get it checked early.
Do dogs live longer if they are neutered?
Neutering is 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, and reduce the food by about 10 to 20 percent when your dog is neutered, because it will need fewer calories.
How long do dogs live?
Typical lifespans by size are about 12 to 16 years for toy breeds, 12 to 15 for small breeds, 10 to 14 for medium breeds, 10 to 12 for large breeds, and 7 to 10 for giant breeds. Those are ranges, not promises.
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.