Which dog breeds live the shortest? The breeds at the bottom of the list are usually the giant ones: a giant dog that is kept lean, exercised, and checked by a vet every year typically lives 7 to 10 years, against 12 to 16 for a toy breed. This guide lists the eight shortest living dog breeds on this site, with their size, weight, lifespan, and temperament — and explains why they live shorter lives, and how to give them the best life you can. 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: giant breeds live shortest, toy breeds live longest, and weight matters more than breed. An Irish Wolfhound typically lives 6–8 years — the shortest of any breed on this site — but an Irish Wolfhound that is overweight, under-exercised, and never checked by a vet will live even shorter than one that is kept lean and healthy. The longest living dog breeds guide gives the breeds that live longest, and the dog life expectancy by breed guide gives the lifespans breed by breed.
The shortest living dog breeds
The table below lists the eight shortest living dog breeds on this site, sorted by typical lifespan, shortest 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Irish Wolfhound | Giant | 54–82 kg | 6–8 years | independent, gentle, loyal |
| Bullmastiff | Large | 45–59 kg | 7–9 years | loyal, confident, protective |
| Neapolitan Mastiff | Giant | 50–68 kg | 7–9 years | loyal, confident, protective |
| Scottish Deerhound | Giant | 34–50 kg | 8–9 years | independent, gentle, loyal |
| Leonberger | Giant | 41–77 kg | 8–9 years | loyal, confident, protective |
| Mastiff | Giant | 54–104 kg | 6–10 years | loyal, confident, protective |
| Great Dane | Giant | 50–79 kg | 7–10 years | loyal, confident, protective |
| Bernese Mountain Dog | Large | 32–52 kg | 7–10 years | loyal, confident, protective |
Read the table from top to bottom and the pattern is clear: the shortest lived breeds are large and giant, and the longest lived breeds are small. An Irish Wolfhound is a giant breed, typically 54–82 kg, with a typical lifespan of 6–8 years, and is commonly described as independent, gentle, loyal. The dog breed comparison tool compares any two breeds side by side.
Why giant breeds live shorter lives
Giant breeds live shorter lives than small 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 short-lived breed live longer
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. A giant breed that is kept lean and healthy will live longer than one that is not, and the years it does have can be very good ones.
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 give a short-lived breed the best life
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.
Should a short life put you off a breed
A short typical lifespan is not a reason to avoid a 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. The breed is a starting point, not a promise, and the individual dog matters more than the label.
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. The longest living dog breeds guide gives the breeds that live longest, the healthiest dog breeds guide gives the breeds with the longest typical lifespans and the fewest listed health issues, and the dog breed selector quiz helps you choose a breed that fits your home.
For related reading, see the dog lifespan estimator, the longest living 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 shortest?
Giant breeds live shortest: an Irish Wolfhound typically lives 6–8 years, the shortest of any breed on this site. The eight breeds in the table above are the shortest living on this site, sorted by typical lifespan, shortest first. Every figure is a typical range, not a promise.
Why do giant dogs live shorter lives than small ones?
Giant 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 giant breed is also more prone to certain cancers and to 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.
Should a short lifespan put me off a giant breed?
No — a short typical lifespan is a reason to know what you are taking on, and to give the dog 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.
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.