Vet shares top five dog breeds with the shortest lifespan

A vet has shared the top five dogs with the shortest lifespan, ranging from five to 10 years.

Amir Anwary, known as amirthevet on social media, regularly gives advice about different animals for pet owners but he mostly focuses on dogs. In a short video posted on Tiktok he claimed that the top five dog breeds with the shortest lifespans are the Saint Bernard (seven to 10 years), Great Dane (seven to 10 years), Irish Wolfhound (six to eight years), Bernese Mountain dog (six to eight years) and Douge de Bordeaux (five to eight years).

He captioned his TikTok post: “Five years!! That is just wild… I have a Ggreat Dane mix… Hoping she lives longer than seven.” The video, posted two days ago (Tuesday, February 4) has garnered 697,1000 views, 11,800 likes and nearly 700 comments.

People took to the comment section to share their feelings about these dog breeds and the experiences they’ve had with them. One user said: “Me with my Dogue de Bordeaux sobbing as she’s five.”

Another shared: “My sister just lost her Great Dane yesterday at four years old.” A third revealed: “I know a Burmese Mountain dog that’s 12 and shares an oxygen tank with her owner when they go on walks. I swear that isn’t a joke.”

However, in contrast, another user said: “I had a Bernese Mountain dog who lived till she was 13 and was truly the best dog.” A second dog owner shared a sad tale: “Lost my Saint Bernard at 4 years old last May. Always been the breed of dog I’d go to but never again. We’ve only had one live to 11, the rest died between 4-7 years old.”

PDSA, a UK vet charity for pets in need, describes Saint Bernards as “gentle giants” that suit most families as long as you have room in your home for a large dog breed. They are “very big and strong”, live under 10 years on average and can make “great pets” but unfortunately, they are prone to a number of health problems due to their size and appearance, according to the charity.

Some of the conditions Saint Bernards may develop include hip dysplasia, where the hip joint doesn’t fit together perfectly eventually leading to arthritis, cruciate ligament disease causing the knee joint to become very wobbly and painful, and certain cancers, especially aggressive bone cancer (osteosarcoma). PDSA says Great Danes are a “large working breed loved for their giant size but gentle and sweet natures” with an average lifespan of under ten years.

They are pure bred dogs so are at risk of certain problems and conditions relating to their breed including gastric dilation volvulus (GDV) which is where the stomach twists. PDSA states that this is an emergency and requires urgent veterinary attention.

Irish Wolfhounds are a “large and powerful breed but known for being big softies at heart”, according to PDSA. They also have an average lifespan of under 10 years and are at risk of developing certain conditions such as GDV and cardiomyopathy, a type of heart disease which means their heart is “bigger than it should be and doesn’t function properly.”

PDSA describes Bernese Mountain dogs as being known for their “sweet, gentle personalities and loyalty to their families” but they are a large breed so require a home with plenty of living space. They live up to 10 years on average and are prone to certain health issues associated with their breed, including elbow dysplasia, where the elbow joint doesn’t fit together perfectly, eventually leading to arthritis, and degenerative myelopathy (DM), a spine condition that “causes a gradual paralysis of the back end.”

Finally, PDSA says the Douge de Bordeaux is a “large but laid-back dog” that may look intimidating but are “real softies.” They are “very handsome to look at” but their wrinkly faces have been “selectively bred and have developed to cause health issues.”

Some of the conditions a Dogue de Bordeaux may develop include elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia, according to the vet charity. Remember, taking on a dog is a big commitment so make sure to do your research first when deciding which breed is right for you.