Dog Lifespan Chart by Breed

Direct answer

What is the average lifespan of a dog?

The study's overall median dog lifespan was 12.5 years. Small dogs had a 12.7-year median, medium dogs 12.5 years, and large dogs 11.9 years.

These are UK population estimates, not a countdown for one dog. Health, genetics, care, environment, and chance can move an individual far from a breed median.

Searchable reference

Dog life expectancy by breed

Search all 155 pure breeds plus the study's mixed-breed group. Compare the median, its 95% confidence interval, and the number of dogs represented.

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Median dog lifespan by breed from McMillan and colleagues' 2024 UK study
Breed	Size	Median	95% CI	Study dogs	On this site
Mixed-breed / crossbreed Study label: Crossbreed More data 95% CI 12.0-12.1 years Study dogs 111,053 Guide Not on site	Not classified	12.0 years	12.0-12.1 years	111,053	No breed guide yet
Affenpinscher More data 95% CI 7.4-10.8 years Study dogs 338 Guide Not on site	Small	9.3 years	7.4-10.8 years	338	No breed guide yet
Afghan Hound More data 95% CI 10.5-11.8 years Study dogs 380 Guide Not on site	Large	11.1 years	10.5-11.8 years	380	No breed guide yet
Airedale Terrier More data 95% CI 11.8-12.3 years Study dogs 1,270 Guide Open guide	Medium	12.0 years	11.8-12.3 years	1,270	Breed guide
Akita More data 95% CI 11.1-11.6 years Study dogs 3,828 Guide Open guide	Large	11.4 years	11.1-11.6 years	3,828	Breed guide
Alaskan Malamute More data 95% CI 11.1-11.8 years Study dogs 1,980 Guide Not on site	Large	11.3 years	11.1-11.8 years	1,980	No breed guide yet
American Cocker Spaniel More data 95% CI 13.0-13.7 years Study dogs 657 Guide Open guide	Small	13.3 years	13.0-13.7 years	657	Breed guide
American Eskimo Dog More data 95% CI 10.0-12.0 years Study dogs 36 Guide Not on site	Medium	11.3 years	10.0-12.0 years	36	No breed guide yet
American Staffordshire Terrier More data 95% CI 11.4-13.1 years Study dogs 142 Guide Not on site	Medium	12.5 years	11.4-13.1 years	142	No breed guide yet
Anatolian Shepherd More data 95% CI 7.6-11.2 years Study dogs 70 Guide Not on site	Large	10.1 years	7.6-11.2 years	70	No breed guide yet
Australian Cattle Dog More data 95% CI 13.2-15.1 years Study dogs 117 Guide Open guide	Medium	14.0 years	13.2-15.1 years	117	Breed guide
Australian Shepherd More data 95% CI 12.8-14.6 years Study dogs 224 Guide Open guide	Medium	13.7 years	12.8-14.6 years	224	Breed guide
Basenji More data 95% CI 11.3-15.8 years Study dogs 92 Guide Not on site	Small	12.1 years	11.3-15.8 years	92	No breed guide yet
Basset Hound More data 95% CI 12.2-12.7 years Study dogs 2,013 Guide Open guide	Medium	12.5 years	12.2-12.7 years	2,013	Breed guide
Beagle More data 95% CI 12.3-12.7 years Study dogs 4,678 Guide Open guide	Small	12.5 years	12.3-12.7 years	4,678	Breed guide
Bearded Collie More data 95% CI 13.7-14.0 years Study dogs 1,165 Guide Not on site	Medium	13.9 years	13.7-14.0 years	1,165	No breed guide yet
Bedlington Terrier More data 95% CI 13.4-14.0 years Study dogs 1,294 Guide Not on site	Small	13.7 years	13.4-14.0 years	1,294	No breed guide yet
Belgian Malinois Study label: Belgian Malenois More data 95% CI 11.5-12.6 years Study dogs 606 Guide Open guide	Medium	12.0 years	11.5-12.6 years	606	Breed guide
Belgian Tervuren More data 95% CI 12.7-14.8 years Study dogs 208 Guide Not on site	Medium	13.8 years	12.7-14.8 years	208	No breed guide yet
Bernese Mountain Dog More data 95% CI 9.8-10.4 years Study dogs 1,116 Guide Open guide	Large	10.1 years	9.8-10.4 years	1,116	Breed guide
Bichon Frise More data 95% CI 12.3-12.7 years Study dogs 5,902 Guide Open guide	Small	12.5 years	12.3-12.7 years	5,902	Breed guide
Black Russian Terrier More data 95% CI 10.2-12.3 years Study dogs 163 Guide Not on site	Large	10.9 years	10.2-12.3 years	163	No breed guide yet
Bloodhound More data 95% CI 8.6-11.0 years Study dogs 134 Guide Open guide	Large	9.3 years	8.6-11.0 years	134	Breed guide
Bolognese More data 95% CI 14.0 to not estimable years Study dogs 182 Guide Not on site	Small	14.9 years	14.0 to not estimable years	182	No breed guide yet
Border Collie More data 95% CI 13.0-13.2 years Study dogs 12,917 Guide Open guide	Medium	13.1 years	13.0-13.2 years	12,917	Breed guide
Border Terrier More data 95% CI 14.1-14.3 years Study dogs 9,387 Guide Not on site	Small	14.2 years	14.1-14.3 years	9,387	No breed guide yet
Borzoi More data 95% CI 10.8 to not estimable years Study dogs 142 Guide Not on site	Large	12.0 years	10.8 to not estimable years	142	No breed guide yet
Boston Terrier More data 95% CI 11.0-12.2 years Study dogs 1,984 Guide Open guide	Small	11.8 years	11.0-12.2 years	1,984	Breed guide
Bouvier des Flandres More data 95% CI 10.4-11.9 years Study dogs 151 Guide Not on site	Large	11.3 years	10.4-11.9 years	151	No breed guide yet
Boxer More data 95% CI 11.3-11.5 years Study dogs 11,294 Guide Open guide	Large	11.3 years	11.3-11.5 years	11,294	Breed guide
Bracco Italiano More data 95% CI 11.8 to not estimable years Study dogs 106 Guide Not on site	Large	13.8 years	11.8 to not estimable years	106	No breed guide yet
Briard More data 95% CI 11.3-13.4 years Study dogs 201 Guide Not on site	Large	12.6 years	11.3-13.4 years	201	No breed guide yet
Brittany More data 95% CI 10.9-11.3 years Study dogs 991 Guide Open guide	Medium	11.1 years	10.9-11.3 years	991	Breed guide
Brussels Griffon More data 95% CI 12.7-13.9 years Study dogs 315 Guide Not on site	Small	13.3 years	12.7-13.9 years	315	No breed guide yet
Bull Terrier More data 95% CI 11.9-12.2 years Study dogs 4,503 Guide Not on site	Medium	12.0 years	11.9-12.2 years	4,503	No breed guide yet
Bulldog More data 95% CI 9.7-10.0 years Study dogs 11,065 Guide Open guide	Medium	9.8 years	9.7-10.0 years	11,065	Breed guide
Bullmastiff More data 95% CI 9.9-10.5 years Study dogs 2,188 Guide Not on site	Large	10.2 years	9.9-10.5 years	2,188	No breed guide yet
Cairn Terrier More data 95% CI 13.8-14.3 years Study dogs 2,585 Guide Open guide	Small	14.0 years	13.8-14.3 years	2,585	Breed guide
Canaan Dog More data 95% CI 9.5-14.7 years Study dogs 45 Guide Not on site	Medium	12.0 years	9.5-14.7 years	45	No breed guide yet
Cane Corso More data 95% CI 6.5-9.5 years Study dogs 202 Guide Open guide	Large	8.1 years	6.5-9.5 years	202	Breed guide
Cardigan Welsh Corgi More data 95% CI 12.5-14.4 years Study dogs 203 Guide Open guide	Small	13.1 years	12.5-14.4 years	203	Breed guide
Caucasian Shepherd Dog More data 95% CI 4.6 to not estimable years Study dogs 52 Guide Not on site	Large	5.4 years	4.6 to not estimable years	52	No breed guide yet
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel More data 95% CI 11.7-11.9 years Study dogs 13,782 Guide Open guide	Small	11.8 years	11.7-11.9 years	13,782	Breed guide
Chesapeake Bay Retriever More data 95% CI 10.5 to not estimable years Study dogs 126 Guide Open guide	Large	11.6 years	10.5 to not estimable years	126	Breed guide
Chihuahua More data 95% CI 11.5-11.9 years Study dogs 10,788 Guide Open guide	Small	11.8 years	11.5-11.9 years	10,788	Breed guide
Chinese Crested More data 95% CI 13.0-13.8 years Study dogs 928 Guide Not on site	Small	13.4 years	13.0-13.8 years	928	No breed guide yet
Chinese Shar Pei More data 95% CI 10.3-10.9 years Study dogs 4,326 Guide Not on site	Medium	10.6 years	10.3-10.9 years	4,326	No breed guide yet
Chow Chow More data 95% CI 11.7-12.5 years Study dogs 940 Guide Not on site	Large	12.1 years	11.7-12.5 years	940	No breed guide yet
Clumber Spaniel More data 95% CI 11.7-13.9 years Study dogs 300 Guide Not on site	Large	12.3 years	11.7-13.9 years	300	No breed guide yet
Collie More data 95% CI 13.3-13.6 years Study dogs 2,171 Guide Open guide	Medium	13.3 years	13.3-13.6 years	2,171	Breed guide
Coton de Tulear More data 95% CI 13.1 to not estimable years Study dogs 319 Guide Not on site	Small	14.2 years	13.1 to not estimable years	319	No breed guide yet
Curly Coated Retriever More data 95% CI 11.2-12.8 years Study dogs 152 Guide Not on site	Large	12.2 years	11.2-12.8 years	152	No breed guide yet
Dachshund More data 95% CI 13.0-13.5 years Study dogs 2,305 Guide Open guide	Medium	13.2 years	13.0-13.5 years	2,305	Breed guide
Dalmatian More data 95% CI 13.0-13.3 years Study dogs 3,126 Guide Open guide	Medium	13.2 years	13.0-13.3 years	3,126	Breed guide
Dandie Dinmont Terrier More data 95% CI 12.2-14.6 years Study dogs 179 Guide Not on site	Small	12.8 years	12.2-14.6 years	179	No breed guide yet
Doberman Pinscher More data 95% CI 11.0-11.5 years Study dogs 3,531 Guide Open guide	Medium	11.2 years	11.0-11.5 years	3,531	Breed guide
Dogue de Bordeaux More data 95% CI 10.6-11.7 years Study dogs 3,427 Guide Not on site	Large	11.1 years	10.6-11.7 years	3,427	No breed guide yet
English Cocker Spaniel More data 95% CI 13.2-13.3 years Study dogs 26,303 Guide Open guide	Small	13.3 years	13.2-13.3 years	26,303	Breed guide
English Setter More data 95% CI 12.7-13.6 years Study dogs 596 Guide Not on site	Large	13.1 years	12.7-13.6 years	596	No breed guide yet
English Springer Spaniel More data 95% CI 13.4-13.6 years Study dogs 17,905 Guide Open guide	Medium	13.5 years	13.4-13.6 years	17,905	Breed guide
Field Spaniel More data 95% CI 12.5-13.4 years Study dogs 242 Guide Not on site	Medium	13.1 years	12.5-13.4 years	242	No breed guide yet
Finnish Lapphund More data 95% CI 13.5 to not estimable years Study dogs 105 Guide Not on site	Medium	13.8 years	13.5 to not estimable years	105	No breed guide yet
Flat Coated Retriever More data 95% CI 11.5-11.9 years Study dogs 2,148 Guide Not on site	Large	11.7 years	11.5-11.9 years	2,148	No breed guide yet
Foxhound More data 95% CI 11.4-16.9 years Study dogs 71 Guide Not on site	Large	13.0 years	11.4-16.9 years	71	No breed guide yet
French Bulldog More data 95% CI 9.4-10.1 years Study dogs 11,821 Guide Open guide	Small	9.8 years	9.4-10.1 years	11,821	Breed guide
German Shepherd Dog More data 95% CI 11.3-11.4 years Study dogs 19,908 Guide Open guide	Large	11.3 years	11.3-11.4 years	19,908	Breed guide
German Shorthaired Pointer More data 95% CI 13.3-13.6 years Study dogs 3,313 Guide Open guide	Medium	13.4 years	13.3-13.6 years	3,313	Breed guide
German Spitz Mittel More data 95% CI 13.3-14.6 years Study dogs 211 Guide Not on site	Medium	14.0 years	13.3-14.6 years	211	No breed guide yet
German Wirehaired Pointer More data 95% CI 12.5-13.6 years Study dogs 562 Guide Open guide	Large	13.0 years	12.5-13.6 years	562	Breed guide
Giant Schnauzer More data 95% CI 11.5-12.8 years Study dogs 369 Guide Open guide	Large	12.1 years	11.5-12.8 years	369	Breed guide
Glen Of Imaal Terrier More data 95% CI 11.6-13.5 years Study dogs 113 Guide Not on site	Small	12.1 years	11.6-13.5 years	113	No breed guide yet
Golden Retriever More data 95% CI 13.1-13.2 years Study dogs 11,506 Guide Open guide	Large	13.2 years	13.1-13.2 years	11,506	Breed guide
Gordon Setter More data 95% CI 12.1-12.8 years Study dogs 393 Guide Not on site	Large	12.4 years	12.1-12.8 years	393	No breed guide yet
Great Dane More data 95% CI 10.4-11.0 years Study dogs 1,986 Guide Open guide	Large	10.6 years	10.4-11.0 years	1,986	Breed guide
Great Pyrenees More data 95% CI 10.5-11.3 years Study dogs 260 Guide Open guide	Large	10.9 years	10.5-11.3 years	260	Breed guide
Greyhound More data 95% CI 11.4-11.6 years Study dogs 3,964 Guide Not on site	Large	11.5 years	11.4-11.6 years	3,964	No breed guide yet
Havanese More data 95% CI 14.1 to not estimable years Study dogs 381 Guide Open guide	Small	14.5 years	14.1 to not estimable years	381	Breed guide
Irish Setter More data 95% CI 12.6-13.1 years Study dogs 1,487 Guide Not on site	Large	12.9 years	12.6-13.1 years	1,487	No breed guide yet
Irish Terrier More data 95% CI 13.1-14.0 years Study dogs 535 Guide Not on site	Small	13.5 years	13.1-14.0 years	535	No breed guide yet
Irish Water Spaniel More data 95% CI 10.4-11.9 years Study dogs 174 Guide Not on site	Medium	10.8 years	10.4-11.9 years	174	No breed guide yet
Irish Wolfhound More data 95% CI 9.2-11.0 years Study dogs 509 Guide Not on site	Large	9.9 years	9.2-11.0 years	509	No breed guide yet
Italian Greyhound More data 95% CI 13.2-15.1 years Study dogs 389 Guide Open guide	Small	14.0 years	13.2-15.1 years	389	Breed guide
Jack Russell Terrier More data 95% CI 13.2-13.3 years Study dogs 19,166 Guide Open guide	Small	13.3 years	13.2-13.3 years	19,166	Breed guide
Japanese Chin More data 95% CI 12.2-13.3 years Study dogs 373 Guide Not on site	Small	12.5 years	12.2-13.3 years	373	No breed guide yet
Japanese Spitz More data 95% CI 12.3-13.7 years Study dogs 336 Guide Not on site	Small	13.0 years	12.3-13.7 years	336	No breed guide yet
Keeshond More data 95% CI 11.6-13.8 years Study dogs 171 Guide Not on site	Medium	12.3 years	11.6-13.8 years	171	No breed guide yet
Kelpie More data 95% CI 11.6-13.5 years Study dogs 97 Guide Not on site	Medium	12.0 years	11.6-13.5 years	97	No breed guide yet
Kerry Blue Terrier More data 95% CI 11.9-13.0 years Study dogs 368 Guide Not on site	Medium	12.4 years	11.9-13.0 years	368	No breed guide yet
Labrador Retriever More data 95% CI 13.0-13.1 years Study dogs 43,428 Guide Open guide	Large	13.1 years	13.0-13.1 years	43,428	Breed guide
Lakeland Terrier More data 95% CI 13.9-14.5 years Study dogs 1,068 Guide Not on site	Small	14.2 years	13.9-14.5 years	1,068	No breed guide yet
Lancashire Heeler More data 95% CI 14.7-15.9 years Study dogs 241 Guide Not on site	Small	15.4 years	14.7-15.9 years	241	No breed guide yet
Large Munsterlander More data 95% CI 13.5 to not estimable years Study dogs 139 Guide Not on site	Large	14.1 years	13.5 to not estimable years	139	No breed guide yet
Leonberger More data 95% CI 9.5-10.3 years Study dogs 676 Guide Not on site	Large	10.0 years	9.5-10.3 years	676	No breed guide yet
Lhasa Apso More data 95% CI 13.9-14.2 years Study dogs 7,216 Guide Not on site	Small	14.0 years	13.9-14.2 years	7,216	No breed guide yet
Lowchen More data 95% CI 13.3-15.7 years Study dogs 143 Guide Not on site	Small	13.9 years	13.3-15.7 years	143	No breed guide yet
Maltese More data 95% CI 12.6-13.5 years Study dogs 2,021 Guide Open guide	Small	13.1 years	12.6-13.5 years	2,021	Breed guide
Mastiff More data 95% CI 8.9-9.2 years Study dogs 1,840 Guide Open guide	Large	9.0 years	8.9-9.2 years	1,840	Breed guide
Miniature Bull Terrier More data 95% CI 11.0-13.8 years Study dogs 268 Guide Not on site	Small	12.2 years	11.0-13.8 years	268	No breed guide yet
Miniature Dachshund More data 95% CI 13.7-14.2 years Study dogs 7,342 Guide Not on site	Small	14.0 years	13.7-14.2 years	7,342	No breed guide yet
Miniature Pinscher More data 95% CI 13.1-14.2 years Study dogs 660 Guide Open guide	Small	13.7 years	13.1-14.2 years	660	Breed guide
Miniature Schnauzer More data 95% CI 13.2-13.5 years Study dogs 7,693 Guide Open guide	Small	13.3 years	13.2-13.5 years	7,693	Breed guide
Neapolitan Mastiff More data 95% CI 8.8-10.2 years Study dogs 367 Guide Not on site	Large	9.3 years	8.8-10.2 years	367	No breed guide yet
Newfoundland More data 95% CI 10.9-11.6 years Study dogs 1,529 Guide Open guide	Large	11.0 years	10.9-11.6 years	1,529	Breed guide
Norfolk Terrier More data 95% CI 13.1-13.8 years Study dogs 905 Guide Not on site	Small	13.5 years	13.1-13.8 years	905	No breed guide yet
Norwegian Elkhound More data 95% CI 12.4-14.1 years Study dogs 145 Guide Not on site	Medium	12.9 years	12.4-14.1 years	145	No breed guide yet
Norwich Terrier More data 95% CI 13.5-15.1 years Study dogs 190 Guide Not on site	Small	14.0 years	13.5-15.1 years	190	No breed guide yet
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever More data 95% CI 12.2 to not estimable years Study dogs 286 Guide Open guide	Medium	13.2 years	12.2 to not estimable years	286	Breed guide
Old English Sheepdog More data 95% CI 11.9-12.5 years Study dogs 1,210 Guide Not on site	Large	12.1 years	11.9-12.5 years	1,210	No breed guide yet
Papillon More data 95% CI 14.1-14.9 years Study dogs 1,115 Guide Open guide	Small	14.5 years	14.1-14.9 years	1,115	Breed guide
Parson Russell Terrier More data 95% CI 13.5-14.0 years Study dogs 2,600 Guide Not on site	Small	13.8 years	13.5-14.0 years	2,600	No breed guide yet
Pekingese More data 95% CI 13.0-13.8 years Study dogs 695 Guide Not on site	Small	13.3 years	13.0-13.8 years	695	No breed guide yet
Pembroke Welsh Corgi More data 95% CI 12.7-13.6 years Study dogs 643 Guide Open guide	Small	13.2 years	12.7-13.6 years	643	Breed guide
Petite Basset Griffon Vendeen More data 95% CI 13.2-14.0 years Study dogs 496 Guide Not on site	Medium	13.7 years	13.2-14.0 years	496	No breed guide yet
Pharaoh Hound More data 95% CI 6.9-13.3 years Study dogs 36 Guide Not on site	Medium	10.0 years	6.9-13.3 years	36	No breed guide yet
Polish Lowland Sheepdog More data 95% CI 12.3-14.8 years Study dogs 83 Guide Not on site	Medium	13.2 years	12.3-14.8 years	83	No breed guide yet
Pomeranian More data 95% CI 12.0-12.5 years Study dogs 2,941 Guide Open guide	Small	12.2 years	12.0-12.5 years	2,941	Breed guide
Poodle More data 95% CI 13.8-14.1 years Study dogs 6,427 Guide Open guide	Not classified	14.0 years	13.8-14.1 years	6,427	Breed guide
Portuguese Water Dog More data 95% CI 11.5-14.9 years Study dogs 179 Guide Open guide	Medium	13.0 years	11.5-14.9 years	179	Breed guide
Presa Canario More data 95% CI 7.0-9.5 years Study dogs 144 Guide Not on site	Large	7.7 years	7.0-9.5 years	144	No breed guide yet
Pug More data 95% CI 11.4-11.8 years Study dogs 10,026 Guide Open guide	Small	11.6 years	11.4-11.8 years	10,026	Breed guide
Puli More data 95% CI 12.8-14.4 years Study dogs 122 Guide Not on site	Medium	13.3 years	12.8-14.4 years	122	No breed guide yet
Rhodesian Ridgeback More data 95% CI 11.9-12.2 years Study dogs 2,108 Guide Open guide	Large	12.0 years	11.9-12.2 years	2,108	Breed guide
Rottweiler More data 95% CI 10.4-10.7 years Study dogs 6,275 Guide Open guide	Large	10.6 years	10.4-10.7 years	6,275	Breed guide
Saluki More data 95% CI 12.3-14.0 years Study dogs 428 Guide Not on site	Medium	13.3 years	12.3-14.0 years	428	No breed guide yet
Samoyed More data 95% CI 12.7-13.5 years Study dogs 723 Guide Open guide	Medium	13.1 years	12.7-13.5 years	723	Breed guide
Schipperke More data 95% CI 12.7-15.8 years Study dogs 76 Guide Not on site	Small	14.2 years	12.7-15.8 years	76	No breed guide yet
Scottish Deerhound More data 95% CI 9.7-11.3 years Study dogs 426 Guide Not on site	Large	10.5 years	9.7-11.3 years	426	No breed guide yet
Scottish Terrier More data 95% CI 12.5-12.9 years Study dogs 1,747 Guide Open guide	Small	12.7 years	12.5-12.9 years	1,747	Breed guide
Sealyham Terrier More data 95% CI 12.3-16.0 years Study dogs 125 Guide Not on site	Small	13.1 years	12.3-16.0 years	125	No breed guide yet
Shetland Sheepdog More data 95% CI 13.1-13.6 years Study dogs 1,905 Guide Open guide	Small	13.4 years	13.1-13.6 years	1,905	Breed guide
Shiba Inu More data 95% CI 14.0-15.1 years Study dogs 423 Guide Open guide	Small	14.6 years	14.0-15.1 years	423	Breed guide
Shih Tzu More data 95% CI 12.6-12.9 years Study dogs 12,007 Guide Open guide	Small	12.8 years	12.6-12.9 years	12,007	Breed guide
Siberian Husky More data 95% CI 11.7-12.0 years Study dogs 4,453 Guide Open guide	Medium	11.9 years	11.7-12.0 years	4,453	Breed guide
Silky Terrier More data 95% CI 11.7-14.2 years Study dogs 105 Guide Not on site	Small	13.3 years	11.7-14.2 years	105	No breed guide yet
Skye Terrier More data 95% CI 11.6-13.9 years Study dogs 91 Guide Not on site	Small	12.4 years	11.6-13.9 years	91	No breed guide yet
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier More data 95% CI 13.2-14.4 years Study dogs 620 Guide Not on site	Medium	13.7 years	13.2-14.4 years	620	No breed guide yet
Spanish Water Dog More data 95% CI 13.3 to not estimable years Study dogs 265 Guide Not on site	Medium	13.7 years	13.3 to not estimable years	265	No breed guide yet
Spinone Italiano More data 95% CI 11.6-12.4 years Study dogs 693 Guide Not on site	Large	11.9 years	11.6-12.4 years	693	No breed guide yet
Saint Bernard Study label: St Bernard More data 95% CI 9.0-9.8 years Study dogs 1,129 Guide Open guide	Large	9.3 years	9.0-9.8 years	1,129	Breed guide
Staffordshire Bull Terrier More data 95% CI 12.0-12.1 years Study dogs 36,216 Guide Open guide	Small	12.0 years	12.0-12.1 years	36,216	Breed guide
Standard Schnauzer More data 95% CI 12.7-13.2 years Study dogs 826 Guide Not on site	Medium	13.0 years	12.7-13.2 years	826	No breed guide yet
Sussex Spaniel More data 95% CI 12.6-15.1 years Study dogs 108 Guide Not on site	Medium	13.5 years	12.6-15.1 years	108	No breed guide yet
Swedish Vallhund Study label: Swedish Valhund More data 95% CI 12.5 to not estimable years Study dogs 61 Guide Not on site	Small	14.0 years	12.5 to not estimable years	61	No breed guide yet
Tibetan Mastiff More data 95% CI 10.9 to not estimable years Study dogs 117 Guide Not on site	Large	13.3 years	10.9 to not estimable years	117	No breed guide yet
Tibetan Spaniel More data 95% CI 14.8-15.7 years Study dogs 351 Guide Not on site	Small	15.2 years	14.8-15.7 years	351	No breed guide yet
Tibetan Terrier More data 95% CI 13.5-14.2 years Study dogs 1,947 Guide Not on site	Small	13.8 years	13.5-14.2 years	1,947	No breed guide yet
Toy Fox Terrier More data 95% CI 12.3-13.8 years Study dogs 163 Guide Not on site	Small	12.9 years	12.3-13.8 years	163	No breed guide yet
Toy Manchester Terrier More data 95% CI 12.0-13.6 years Study dogs 339 Guide Not on site	Small	13.0 years	12.0-13.6 years	339	No breed guide yet
Vizsla More data 95% CI 13.2-13.9 years Study dogs 2,965 Guide Open guide	Medium	13.5 years	13.2-13.9 years	2,965	Breed guide
Weimaraner More data 95% CI 12.6-13.0 years Study dogs 2,990 Guide Open guide	Large	12.8 years	12.6-13.0 years	2,990	Breed guide
Welsh Springer Spaniel More data 95% CI 13.3-14.3 years Study dogs 572 Guide Not on site	Medium	14.0 years	13.3-14.3 years	572	No breed guide yet
Welsh Terrier More data 95% CI 13.5-14.6 years Study dogs 570 Guide Not on site	Small	13.8 years	13.5-14.6 years	570	No breed guide yet
West Highland White Terrier More data 95% CI 13.3-13.5 years Study dogs 11,932 Guide Open guide	Small	13.4 years	13.3-13.5 years	11,932	Breed guide
Whippet More data 95% CI 13.2-13.7 years Study dogs 4,971 Guide Open guide	Small	13.4 years	13.2-13.7 years	4,971	Breed guide
Wire Fox Terrier More data 95% CI 13.3-13.7 years Study dogs 1,413 Guide Not on site	Small	13.5 years	13.3-13.7 years	1,413	No breed guide yet
Yorkshire Terrier More data 95% CI 13.3-13.4 years Study dogs 14,579 Guide Open guide	Small	13.3 years	13.3-13.4 years	14,579	Breed guide

Median: the estimated midpoint of the survival distribution, not the oldest age a dog can reach.

95% CI: uncertainty around the estimated median. It is not an individual dog's expected lifespan range.

Size: the small, medium, and large labels are the study's classifications. Poodle was not assigned a size in the source table.

Use the data correctly

Median lifespan is not a personal expiry date

An average dog lifespan search often produces one simple number, but the underlying statistic matters. This chart uses Kaplan-Meier median survival. The median is the point at which the estimated survival curve reaches 50%; it is not the maximum age for the breed and it does not mean every dog will live close to that number.

Median

The population midpoint estimated from both living and deceased dogs in the study.

95% confidence interval

How precisely the study estimated that median. It is not a likely age range for your dog.

Study sample

The number of represented dogs. Smaller samples generally deserve more cautious interpretation.

What the study found

Dog size and lifespan moved in opposite directions

The group-level pattern supported a negative association between body size and longevity, although breeds within each size group still varied.

Small dogs 12.7 years 223,222 dogs

Medium dogs 12.5 years 73,532 dogs

Large dogs 11.9 years 123,072 dogs

Association does not establish a fixed lifespan for every small, medium, or large dog.

Mixed-breed context

Do mutts or mongrels always live longer?

No single rule fits every mixed-breed dog. In this dataset, purebred dogs as a whole had a 12.7-year median and the broad crossbred group had a 12.0-year median. The authors stressed that crossbred dogs are heterogeneous and that lineage, sampling, environment, and population management complicate a simple purebred-versus-crossbred claim.

For an All-American dog, Labrador mix, Belgian Malinois/Lab mix, or another dog of uncertain ancestry, use the mixed-breed row as broad research context only. Parentage, adult size, health history, and current veterinary findings are more useful than pretending the group median is a personalized forecast.

Beyond breed

What affects how long a dog can live?

The study found differences associated with breed, body size, sex, and head shape, but it could not identify the direct cause of death or turn those associations into an individual prediction. A breed label is one part of a much larger health picture.

Current health: chronic disease, mobility, dental health, and body condition can matter more to today's care plan than a table rank.
Preventive care: use life stage, breed, lifestyle, and examination findings to plan care with a veterinarian.
Country and environment: these records describe a UK population and may not transfer exactly to another region.
Genetic diversity: risk can vary within a breed and within mixed-breed populations.

Dog life cycle

Life expectancy helps define the senior stage

AAHA describes a dog as senior during roughly the final 25% of estimated lifespan, with timing dependent on breed and size. That makes a lifespan chart useful for broad life-stage context, but it still does not replace an individual assessment.

Use the Dog Age Calculator

Quick answers

Dog lifespan questions

In the 2024 UK study used for this chart, the median survival estimate for all 584,734 dogs was 12.5 years. That is a population midpoint, not a guaranteed age for an individual dog.

Many dogs live around the study's 12.5-year overall median, but breed, body size, sex, health, environment, and individual variation all matter. Use the searchable chart for breed context rather than treating one number as a deadline.

The Lancashire Heeler had the highest median in this dataset at 15.4 years. Its study sample was much smaller than those of many popular breeds, so compare the sample size and confidence interval as well as the headline number.

The Caucasian Shepherd Dog had the lowest median in this dataset at 5.4 years, but only 52 dogs were represented and the upper confidence limit was not estimable. It should not be read as a prediction for every dog of that breed.

At group level in this UK study, small dogs had a 12.7-year median, medium dogs 12.5 years, and large dogs 11.9 years. Those group patterns do not determine the outcome for an individual dog.

Not as a universal rule. The study reported a 12.0-year median for its broad crossbred group and 12.7 years for purebred dogs overall, while noting that crossbred dogs are highly diverse and that methods and sampling affect comparisons.

Search for Dachshund in the chart; searches for sausage dog and wiener dog also find it. The number shown is the study median for the breed, not a maximum age or an individual forecast.

Only broadly. The mixed-breed or crossbreed row is the closest study category, but it combines many different parentages. A Labrador mix should not automatically be assigned either the Labrador median or the crossbred median as a personal forecast.

Some individual dogs can reach 20 years, but that is not what this chart measures. The table reports population medians, meaning half of the observed survival distribution is on either side of the estimated midpoint.

Research Methodology, limitations, and sources See where every number came from and what the chart cannot tell you.

This chart transcribes Supplementary Tables 3 and 5 from McMillan and colleagues' 2024 Scientific Reports paper. The source combined records from 18 UK organisations and included 584,734 dogs, of which 284,734 were recorded as deceased. We preserved the published medians, confidence limits, study sample sizes, and size classifications. Display-name corrections are documented in the structured source file.

Important limitations

The population was based in the United Kingdom; results should not be treated as identical for other countries.
The study did not include cause of death, so it cannot identify the direct reason one group died earlier.
Data sources can introduce representation bias, and some breeds had small samples or an unestimable upper confidence limit.
Breed-level medians are population summaries, not predictions for individual dogs.

Primary datasetMcMillan et al. (2024), Scientific Reports Open
US clinical contextMontoya et al. (2023), life expectancy tables Open
Life stages2019 AAHA Canine Life Stage Guidelines Open
Reusable dataDownload this chart as CSV Download

The primary paper and supplementary material are available under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Source breed labels and numeric values remain attributable to the paper's authors.

Population reference only. Not veterinary advice or an individual lifespan prediction. Last reviewed July 31, 2026.

What is the average lifespan of a dog?

Dog life expectancy by breed

Selected breed comparison

No matching breed found

Median lifespan is not a personal expiry date

Median

95% confidence interval

Study sample

Dog size and lifespan moved in opposite directions

Do mutts or mongrels always live longer?

What affects how long a dog can live?

Life expectancy helps define the senior stage

Dog lifespan questions

Important limitations

What is the average lifespan of a dog?

Dog life expectancy by breed

Selected breed comparison

No matching breed found

Median lifespan is not a personal expiry date

Median

95% confidence interval

Study sample

Dog size and lifespan moved in opposite directions

Do mutts or mongrels always live longer?

What affects how long a dog can live?

Life expectancy helps define the senior stage

Dog lifespan questions

What is the average lifespan of a dog?

How long do dogs usually live?

Which dog breed has the longest lifespan in this chart?

Which dog breed has the shortest lifespan in this chart?

Do small dogs live longer than large dogs?

Do mixed-breed dogs live longer than purebred dogs?

How long do Dachshunds or sausage dogs live?

Can this chart estimate the lifespan of a Lab mix or another mongrel?

Can a dog live for 20 years?

Important limitations

Use lifespan alongside age, weight, and body condition