From the Chihuahua to the Pomeranian: Ranking the Breeds With the Shortest Lifespans
It's every pet owner's worst nightmare: watching their furry friend grow old and eventually pass on. Unfortunately, for some dog breeds, the end comes sooner rather than later. Whether it's due to genetic diseases or just being prone to rapid aging due to their size, these pups often don't get to enjoy the same longevity as other canines.
Old English Sheepdog: 10-12 Years Old
The Old English Sheepdog is a lovable ball of energy that will keep you on your toes. They make the perfect addition to any family.
While they may be prone to cardiac issues and two deadly diseases called cerebellar ataxia and primary ciliary dyskinesia, with proper care and attention, these fluffy pups can live up to 12 years old.
Bullmastiff: 7-9 Years Old
Gigantic sweethearts, Bullmastiffs are known to be loyal, brave, and compassionate. Sadly, they are only expected to live for around seven to nine years, according to the American Kennel Club. All the more reason to give them extra love!
Some of their health problems include cardiac issues, cancer, and bloat, a life-threatening condition that swells their abdomen.
Rhodesian Ridgeback: 10-12 Years Old
These pups are known for their eagerness to please their humans and their generally even-tempered personalities. With regular exercise and checkups, they can live a long and healthy life of up to 12 years.
That being said, this breed is prone to many health issues that can shorten its lifespan.
Basset Hound: 8-12 Years Old
These lovable pups are patient, low-key, and happy to go along with whatever their humans feel like doing. With their charming personalities, it's no wonder they're such popular pets.
The key for this breed is making sure they have regular vet visits, ensuring they are healthy and not showing signs of ear infections.
French Bulldog: 10-12 Years Old
Frenchies are a fan-favorite dog breed and for good reason! They're small but mighty, and super playful. With proper care, they can live up to 10-12 years of age.
As a flat-faced breed, Frenchies tend to have difficulty breathing, which puts strain on their organs.
Newfoundland: 9-10 Years Old
The large and fluffy Newfoundland is a sweet and lovable breed that wants nothing more than to please its human, even if that means accidentally slobbering all over the place because they're happy to see them!
Loyal to its core, Newfoundlands are known to have several health issues, including hip dysplasia, heart defects, and elbow dysplasia. This breed is commonly cited as living to ten years of age.
Rottweiler: 8-10 Years Old
Loyal, loving, and one of the best guardian dogs, Rottweilers are a great addition to any family who loves big boys and girls running around. That being said, potential owners should know this breed is very prone to bone cancer, skin disease, and parvovirus.
Along with other health-related factors, Rotties are only expected to live a young nine to ten years.
English Bulldog: 6 Years
English Bulldogs might be one of the more fun dog breeds out there. Calm and yet courageous, these cuddle-loving dogs make for great family pets. Sadly, according to a 2004 survey, the life expectancy of Bulldogs is a short six years.
This breed is known to be prone to cancer and various issues with its nasal passage.
Cane Corso: 9-12 Years Old
With big bodies and even bigger heads, Cane Corsos are some of the coolest dogs. On top of that, they are intelligent, loving, and loyal to their families, making them great pets.
Sadly, this breed is known to get a deadly disease, gastric torsion, also known as bloat. Their life expectancy can range from nine to 12 years.
Saint Bernard: 8-10 Years Old
Saint Bernards are playful, charming, and the ultimate family dog. The original nanny dog, this breed, will do pretty much anything for the love of their humans. Sadly, due to their rapid growth rate, they have a few issues with their bones.
Saint Bernards are known to have deterioration of the bones, bone cancer, and even heart disease, leaving their life expectancy at eight to ten years.
Borzoi: 7-10 Years Old
Tall, dignified, and extremely loyal, the Borzoi breed can weigh up to 75-105 pounds! This intelligent hunting dog is great for outdoorsy families but comes with a few genetic-related health issues that leave its life expectancy between seven to ten years.
Some of the health issues include heart disease, wobbler syndrome, and hypothyroidism which is a thyroid issue.
Broholmer: 8-10 Years Old
Easy to train with a moderate energy level, Broholmers will be loyal to their family while a little apprehensive to strangers. Even so, they are a fun-loving breed that is easy to train and even easier to love.
Sadly, Broholmers age rapidly due to their larger stature, resulting in an eight to ten-year lifespan.
Leonberger: 7 Years Old
The gentle and playful Leonberger is a great family pet, as they are great around kids and love going for long walks in the wilderness. Sadly, these gentle pooches' are unfortunately prone to diseases such as cardiac disease and various forms of cancer.
This particular breed isn't known for living long part a young seven years old, about four years less than other purebred dogs.
Scottish Deerhound: 8 Years Old
Scottish deerhounds are a breed known to be gentle and oddly polite. Eager to please, they love their families and are typically eager to play. Unfortunately, this large-breed dog comes with many health issues that leave its life expectancy around eight years.
Some health issues include heart disease, bone cancer, and a condition known as a twisted stomach.
Chow Chow: 8-12 Years Old
A fiercely protective breed, Chow Chows are all about their personality. They're not overly active and enjoy staying indoors, especially if that means they don't have to see strangers. Depending on a Chows' health, they can live anywhere between eight to 12 years old.
Sadly, they are prone to a lot of issues. This breed is a high risk for autoimmune disease, diabetes, and gastric cancer, to name a few.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: 6 Years Old
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are known to have a strong affinity with their families, especially when it comes to children. Fun-loving, sociable, and active, this particular mountain dog will do anything for some cuddle time on the couch.
According to a survey by the US breed club, this breed is only expected to live for an average of six years. Thankfully, there have been cases where they will live up to 11!
Chinese Shar-Pei: 8-10 Years Old
Originating in southern China, the Chinese Shar-Pei is a wrinkly pooch with a calm and loyal demeanor. Unfortunately, excessive breeding when they came over to the United States led to a slew of issues.
Chinese Shar-Peis are prone to chronic skin disease, kidney failure, red mange, and various eye conditions. These ailments might be why this breed is only expected to live for around eight years, although there have been reports of some living as long as ten.
Bernese Mountain Dog: 6-8 Years Old
While the Bernese mountain dog is one of the most fun-loving and goofy of the large-dog breeds, their mortality rate is also one of the highest and quickest. With a slew of medical issues attached to this breed, they're only expected to live a short six to eight years.
One of the most common reasons for their short lifespan is due to various cancers.
Neapolitan Mastiff: 7-9 Years Old
While Neapolitan Mastiffs are wary around strangers, they are loyal and sweet with their loved ones. According to the American Kennel Club, this particular mastiff breed will, sadly, only live for around seven to nine years.
Like many larger breeds, Neapolitan Mastiffs are prone to bloat, a condition that can be fatal.
Great Dane: 8-10 Years Old
Friendly, patient, and dependable, Great Danes are one of the largest dog breeds in the world. As such, they come with some health issues that, sadly, give them a short lifespan than smaller breeds.
Nicknamed "the heartbreak breed" for conditions such as an enlarged heart and heart disease are some of the reasons for this breed's short life.
Mastiff: 6-10 Years Old
Mastiffs might be big, but they are gentle giants that are calm, courageous, and loving towards their families. That being said, according to the American Kennel Club, their life expectancy is only around six to ten years.
This short lifespan is in part due to cancer, bloat, and various forms of infections.
Irish Wolfhound: 6-8 Years Old
A larger dog breed, Irish Wolfhounds are loving towards their families and will do pretty much anything to get outside. According to the American Kennel Club, this breed has a very short lifespan, six to eight years.
Sadly, this breed is genetically predisposed to certain cancers, liver shunt, heart disease, and pneumonia.
Dogue De Bordeaux: 5-8 Years Old
The brawny fawn-coated Dogue de Bordeaux are famous for their family loyalty, affection, and protective nature. While they are magnificent family dogs, the American Kennel Club says their lifespan is a short five to eight years.
Sadly, this breed is very prone to bloat, heart disease, epilepsy, and various issues with their hips and elbows.
Welsh Springer Spaniel: 12-15 Years Old
Welsh Springer Spaniels are amazing family dogs, as they are loving, affectionate, and pretty easy when it comes to training. And while they are expected to live long lives, around 12-15 years, potential owners need to keep in mind some of the health concerns associated with this breed.
Some ailments include ear infections, thyroid issues, and eye disease.
Bloodhound: 10-12 Years Old
With their floppy ears and marvelous howl, Bloodhounds are a quirky breed. They're also extremely loyal to their families and friendly to anyone who wants to give them a nice scratch on their heads.
According to the American Kennel Club, this breed has a lifespan of around ten to 12 years, longer than many other larger breeds.
Boxer: Ten - 12 Years Old
Active and playful, boxers are one of the best family pets around! Sadly, their larger size and brachycephalic nature make their active personalities a downside, as they can put a whole lot of strain on their organs trying to breathe properly.
According to the American Kennel Club, boxer owners can expect their dog to live anywhere between ten to 12 years.
Brazilian Mastiff: 5-7 Years Old
Like other mastiff breeds, the Brazilian Mastiff is brave and loyal to their families. Sadly, their large frame leads to many issues that result in a short lifespan of five to seven years.
Some of the issues include bloat, joint disease, and cancers which are, unfortunately, hereditary with this particular breed.
Doberman: 10-12 Years Old
The Doberman breed is fearless and will do pretty much anything to protect the ones they love. They also make the perfect dogs for families with small children. These adorable pups can live up to 12 years old.
They are prone to enlarged hearts, blood clotting, and Wobbler's syndrome.
Boerboel: 9-11 Years Old
Loving towards their families and known to be guardians of the home, Boerboels make for great family pets. According to the American Kennel Club, though, they have a short lifespan of nine to 11 years.
While this breed is typically healthy, it is important to screen them for any signs of heart disease or joint issues.
Pyrenean Mastiff: 8-12 Years Old
A gentle and loving giant, it is important for owners of Pyrenean Mastiffs to watch their pooch's weight, as it may cause their lifespan to go from 12 years down to eight.
This breed is prone to obesity, something that will ultimately lead to heart failure and organ stress. As a larger dog breed, they are also prone to bloat.
