Average lifespan of the country’s most popular dog breeds

Dogs are a man’s best friend and are an extremely popular choice for pets in the UK. Depending on the size and breed, a dog’s lifespan can range anywhere from between ten and 13 years.

One in three households own a dog, meaning that there are around three million dogs living with their forever families. Research conducted by the Royal Veterinary College’s Veterinary Companion Animal Surveillance System (VetCompass), a database of over two millions animals, published in the Scientific Reports, looked at the average lifespan of some of the UK’s most popular breeds of dog. There are over 221 different breeds of pedigree dogs, as well as a number of crossbreeds. Choosing the right pup for your household is an important decision.

To help complete the researchers’ findings, the study looked at a random sample of 30,563 dogs that died over a five year period to come to their findings, reported The Scotsman.

From the 18 different breeds listed, there is an eight year difference in the average from longest to shortest lifespan. From big dogs to little, there’s a different type of dog for everyone.

Jack Russell Terrier

Right at the top of the is the light bundle of energy, the Jack Russell Terrier. The longest living breed included in the study, with an average lifespan of 12.72 years.

Yorkshire Terrier

Another terrier comes in the second. PetMD noted that smaller dogs tend to live longer than their larger counterparts.

Hailing from the county of Yorkshire, the Yorkshire Terrier, or Yorkie, has an average lifespan of 12.54 years.

Border Collie

The Border Collie is known for performing the tasks for which it was bred, such as working sheep and sometimes cattle. The Kennel Club noted that this breed is known for its intelligence, speed, and versatility.

It was found to have an average lifespan of 12.10 years.

Springer Spaniel

The first of three types of spaniel to make the list is the Springer Spaniel, of which there are two main types – English and Welsh. They are a type of gun dog traditionally used for ‘flushing’ and retrieving game.

Springer Spaniels have an average lifespan of 11.92 years.

Labrador Retriever

The most popular breeds of dog for pets in the UK, the Labrador Retriever is popular for its versatility as a companion, as well as guide and service dogs. The breed originates from Newfoundland, Canada.

They have an average lifespan of 11.77 years.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier was first introduced back in the 1860s, but it wasn’t recognised as a breed until the 1930s. The Kennel Club noted the species for its high intelligence and affinity with children.

The breed was found to have an average lifespan of 11.33 years.

Cocker Spaniel

Now for the next Spaniel on the list, the Cocker Spaniel. Their name comes from the breed’s traditional function, which were used to hunt woodcock.

In the early 20th century the breed was at its height of popularity and it remains hugely popular as a family pet, with an average lifespan of 11.31 years.

Shih Tzu

Having origins in Tibet, and widely popular pets in China, the Shih Tzu was originally known as the Lhasa Lion dog. The breed was officially recognised in the 1940s, and lives for 11.05 years on average.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Making up the third Spaniel breed on the list, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has roots back to the 16th century. Originating from Toy spaniels, they were popular courts of Charles I and his son Charles II, especially amongst the nobility.

These spaniels have an average lifespan of 10.45 years.

German Shepherd

To make up the top ten longest living breeds, the German Shepherd was traditionally used as a herding dog. But today, you’ll find them as popular breeds of working dogs in the army and police.

These dogs were found to live for an average of 10.16 years.