Dog breeds with shortest lifespan named — one has life expectancy of 5.4 years

While we adore our four-legged companions, regrettably, our dogs cannot remain with us indefinitely. Although the typical canine lives between 10 and 13 years, certain breeds unfortunately fall considerably below that range. To offer some reassurance, pet specialists indicate that the first year of a dog’s life equates to 15 human years, the second year to nine human years, and each subsequent year to five human years.

However, whether due to the animal’s size, its genetic makeup, or susceptibility to fatal illnesses, numerous elements can result in a dog’s life being cut short. A 2024 study published in Nature examined nearly 585,000 dogs across 155 breeds in the UK. Based on that data, the American Kennel Club identified the 35 most popular breeds with the shortest lifespans, and we have compiled them all below, reports the Express.

Full list of dog breeds with the shortest lifespan:

34. Akita – Median lifespan: 11.4 years

33. German Shepherd – Median lifespan: 11.3 years (tie)

33. Boxer – Median lifespan: 11.3 years (tie)

33. Bouvier des Flandres – Median lifespan: 11.3 years (tie)

33. American Eskimo dog – Median lifespan: 11.3 years (tie)

33. Alaskan malamute – Median lifespan: 11.3 years (tie)

28. Doberman pinscher – Median lifespan: 11.2 years

27. Dogue de Bordeaux – Median lifespan: 11.1 years (tie)

27. Brittany – Median lifespan: 11.1 years (tie)

27. Afghan hound – Median lifespan: 11.1 years (tie)

24. Newfoundland – Median lifespan: 11 years

23. Great Pyrenees – Median lifespan: 10.9 years (tie)

23. Black Russian terrier – Median lifespan: 10.9 years (tie)

21. Irish water spaniel – Median lifespan: 10.8 years

20. Rottweiler – Median lifespan: 10.6 years (tie)

20. Great Dane – Median lifespan: 10.6 years (tie)

20. Chinese shar-pei – Median lifespan: 10.6 years (tie)

17. Scottish deerhound – Median lifespan: 10.5 years

16. Bullmastiff – Median lifespan: 10.2 years

15. Bernese mountain dog – Median lifespan: 10.1 years (tie)

15. Anatolian shepherd – Median lifespan: 10.1 years (tie)

13. Pharaoh hound – Median lifespan: 10 years (tie)

13. Leonberger – Median lifespan: 10 years (tie)

11. Irish wolfhound – Median lifespan: 9.9 years

10. French bulldog – Median lifespan: 9.8 years (tie)

10. Bulldog – Median lifespan: 9.8 years (tie)

8. Saint Bernard – Median lifespan: 9.3 years (tie)

8. Neapolitan mastiff – Median lifespan: 9.3 years (tie)

8. Bloodhound – Median lifespan: 9.3 years (tie)

8. Affenpinscher – Median lifespan: 9.3 years (tie)

4. Mastiff – Median lifespan: 9 years

3. Cane corso – Median lifespan: 8.1 years

2. Presa Canario – Median lifespan: 7.7 years

1. Caucasian shepherd dog – Median lifespan: 5.4 years

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