Skip to content

Top Navigation

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • FOOD
  • HOLIDAYS
  • ENTERTAINING
  • HOME
  • GARDENING
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING
  • WEDDINGS
  • SHOP
  • DIY
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS
  • LIFE
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Subscribe
Save Pin FB

Explore Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 35 One-Pan Meals Just Right for Dinner Tonight

      One pan, pot, skillet, or Instant Pot is all you need to for these no-fuss family dinners, including salmon, pasta, pot roast, chili, and so much more. Read More Next
    • The Best 2021 Bedroom Paint Colors

      Explore the best 2021 bedroom paint colors, according to paint experts. Read More Next
    • The Ultimate Guide to Household Cleaning: What You Should Be Cleaning When

      Our printable checklists will tell you what you should be doing every day, week, month, season—or every once in a while—to keep your home in ship-shape year round. Read More Next
  • FOOD

    FOOD

    See All FOOD

    Quick, Easy, and Delicious Pasta Recipes Ideal for Weeknight Dinners

    When you need a comforting meal but don't have a lot of time, whip up one of these fast pasta recipes. All can be made in 45 minutes or less.
    • Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Lunch Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Drink Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Cooking How-Tos
    • Baking
    • Menu Planning
    • Food News & Trends
    • Wine
    • Mastering the Holiday Meal
    • What's for Dinner
    • All Recipes
  • HOLIDAYS

    HOLIDAYS

    See All HOLIDAYS

    17 St. Patrick's Day Crafts and Decorations

    Looking for a golden idea? You're in luck. Kick off your St. Patrick's Day celebrations with our shamrock garlands, rainbow balloons, leprechaun traps, and more.
    • Valentine's Day
    • St. Patricks Day
    • Passover
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
    • Father's Day
    • Fourth of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Hanukkah
    • Christmas
    • New Year's Eve
  • ENTERTAINING

    ENTERTAINING

    See All ENTERTAINING

    The Best Front Porch Decorating Ideas for Every Month of the Year

    Get inspired to make your porch your new favorite living space with these ideas designed to add a refined look to any outdoor space.
    • Seasonal Entertaining & Decorating
    • Baby Shower Ideas
    • Dinner Party Ideas
    • You're Invited
  • HOME

    HOME

    See All HOME

    How to Disinfect Your Kitchen and Your Food During the Coronavirus Outbreak, According to Experts

    Keep everything from your countertops to your dining room chairs germ-free.
    • Home Design & Decor
    • Paint Colors & Palettes
    • DIY Home Projects
  • GARDENING

    GARDENING

    See All GARDENING

    How to Keep Your Houseplants Happy in the Winter

    Help them thrive even when the temperature drops.
    • Container Gardening
    • Flower Gardens
    • Houseplants
    • Landscaping
    • Vegetable Gardens
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    How to Wash Your Hands Properly, According to a Doctor

    You likely wash your hands several times a day, but are you doing so effectively? Learn how to minimize the spread of germs with an extra few seconds of scrubbing.
    • Cleaning
    • Storage & Organization
    • Laundry & Linens
  • WEDDINGS

    WEDDINGS

    See All WEDDINGS

    How to Plan a Beautiful, Meaningful Micro Wedding So That You Can Celebrate Your Postponed Nuptials Right Now

    • Real Weddings
    • Wedding Party
    • Wedding Planning & Advice
    • Wedding Ceremony & Reception
    • Wedding Jewelry
    • Dresses & Style
    • Wedding Beauty & Wellness
    • Wedding Registry
    • Wedding Showers & Parties
    • Love & Marriage
    • Wedding Travel
  • SHOP
  • DIY

    DIY

    See All DIY

    How to Knit: A Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide

    Learn how to knit your own mittens, hats, scarves, and more. We'll take you through the step-by-step instructions and teach you how to cast on, knit, purl, and cast off.
    • Dyeing
    • Holiday Crafts
    • Kids' Crafts
    • Knitting
    • Paper Crafts
    • Sewing
    • Rescue & Revamp
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    Six Ways to Take Care of Your Mental Health While You Work from Home

    Start by carving out a designated work area in your space.
    • Beauty
    • Health & Wellness
  • LIFE

    LIFE

    See All LIFE

    How to Start a Virtual Book Club

    From which platforms to use and the best books to read, bibliophiles share their advice.
    • Family
    • Pets
    • Travel
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. marthastewart.com
  2. Life
  3. Pets
  4. Dogs
  5. The 15 Dog Breeds That Live the Longest

The 15 Dog Breeds That Live the Longest

By Katelyn Chef
February 19, 2021
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin
Credit: Getty Images

When you're ready to adopt, consider the including the Chihuahua, Beagle, Maltese, and more—you can enjoy their companionship for years to come.

Start Slideshow

1 of 16

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Credit: Getty Images

Just as we intend to live our best life, we want our dog's life to be happy, healthy, and long-lasting, too. And while owners may think it's an old wives' tale that smaller dog breeds have a longer lifespan than those of larger breeds, this is actually a true statement. Diana Hightower, president of Chihuahua Rescue and Transport, spoke to us about dogs and their variating life expectancies. "While the age range is not breed specific, it is true that smaller dogs tend to live longer than larger dogs," she explains. "A larger dog will have a lifespan of between eight to ten years, while smaller breeds (such as Chihuahuas) can generally live as long as 15 to 20 years."

Naturally, just how long your pup lives also depends on their quality of care as well as your lifestyle together. No matter if you love a Toy Poodle or a Great Dane, Hightower reveals that there are changes you can make to extend your dog's lifespan. "Steps that owners can take to extend the life and happiness for their dogs is to provide an overall safe environment for their pets," says Hightower. "This includes maintaining a healthy weight, daily exercise, relaxation, and regular vet checkup. Good quality vet care including yearly exams, vaccinations, dentals, monthly heart worm and flea prevention is critical." 

What if you are a first-time dog owner looking for a specific breed that's known to have a long lifespan? In fact, those breeds of dogs do exist. Here, we delve into the dogs with the longest life expectancy.

1 of 16

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 16

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Chihuahua

Credit: Glida46 / Getty Images

It's true, the littlest dogs have the biggest personality, and they sometimes have the longest lives, too. The lovable Chihuahua is no exception. This minute breed's life expectancy is quite remarkable: 14 to 16 years, and even reportedly up to 20 years.

2 of 16

3 of 16

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Yorkshire Terrier

Credit: Maxim Fesenko

The Yorkshire Terrier, lovingly referred to as Yorkie, is recognized for their sprightly, affectionate attitude. They are another Toy Group breed that has a long life expectancy: 11 to 15 years.

3 of 16

Advertisement

4 of 16

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Australian Cattle Dog

Credit: Fisher S. / Getty Images

The Australian Cattle Dog is a mid-size dog breed with one of the longest life expectancies. This trusty and intelligent breed of dog has a lifespan between 12 to 15 years.

4 of 16

5 of 16

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Dachshund

Credit: Vsevolod Vlasenko / Getty Images

The Dachshund breed is so revered, that it was the mascot for the 1972 Olympic Summer Games in Munich. Whether you call yours a "wiener dog," "doxie," "sausage dog," "weenie," or "Dashie," he'll be yours for 12 to 16 years. That's quite a while to love this tenacious, outgoing, and playful dog. 

5 of 16

6 of 16

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Toy Poodle

Credit: Payless Images / Getty Images

These days, it's hard not to find a dog that has a mix of Poodle in it. Originating from France, the Toy Poodle has a long lifespan of 10 to 18 years. Interestingly, the smaller the size of dog, the longer its lifespan.

  • A Visual Guide to All the Different Types of Poodle Mixes, Also Called Doodle Dogs

6 of 16

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 16

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Pomeranian

Credit: Pattarawat / Getty Images

We have all gushed over a cute, fluffy Pomeranian at some point in our lives. And while these dogs are small in stature, they make up for it in their confident personalities. As a part of the Toy Group, they have a long lifespan of 12 to 16 years.

7 of 16

8 of 16

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Lhasa Apso

Credit: Tony Feder / Getty Images

The Lhasa Apso is a non-sporting dog breed originating in Tibet. Adored for their long hair, the Lhasa Apso has been around for a long-long time. Their Tibetan ancestry dates back thousands of years to when they were bred as an interior sentinel in the Buddhist monasteries. Today, these lovable lap dogs have a lifespan of 12 to 15 years.

8 of 16

9 of 16

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Russell Terrier

Credit: Teradat Santivivut / Getty Images

Fans of the 1990s sitcom, Frasier, will agree that Jack Russel Terriers are adorable. The Russell Terrier, even in a new decade, are still that way: alert, inquisitive, and sociable. A part of the Terrier Group, this breed has a lifespan of 12 to 14 years.

9 of 16

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 16

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Papillon

Credit: Purple Collar Pet Photography / Getty Images

The Papillon—French for "butterfly"—is a joyful and happy little breed with iconic pointed ears that, indeed, resemble a butterfly. This breed lives from 14 to 16 years. 

10 of 16

11 of 16

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Irish Setter

Credit: Tomas Maracek / Getty Images

The sweet-natured Irish Setter, known for its flowing amber-ginger coat has a surprisingly long lifespan for that of a larger breed. A part of the Sporting Group, the Irish Setter can live anywhere from 12 to 15 years.

11 of 16

12 of 16

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Chow Chow

Credit: GoodLifeStudio / Getty Images

The Chow Chow is a favored breed of Martha's. Chows are magnificent dogs of ancient Chinese descent known for their black tongues and lion-like mane. Chows can live for a decent length of time, too, anywhere from 8 to 12 years for this mid-size breed.

12 of 16

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 16

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Beagle

Credit: Ryan J. Lane / Getty Images

Anyone who watched the movie Shiloh knows all too well the love and loyalty of a Beagle. The Beagle, a part of the Hound Group, loves to exercise in your companionship. These dogs typically have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years.

13 of 16

14 of 16

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Shih Tzu

Credit: Chaoss / Getty Images

In Chinese, Shih Tzu means, "lion dog." Iconic for its long flowing coat and lovable charm, this dog makes for a great family pet. As a breed, they can live anywhere between 10 to 18 years.

14 of 16

15 of 16

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Maltese

Credit: Ioannis Tsotras / Getty Images

The average lifespan for the spunky toy breed, Maltese is 15 years. They are smart and gentle dogs. It's also worth noting that it's common for the females to live a year longer than males.

15 of 16

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 16

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Greyhound

Credit: Unique Photo Arts / Getty Images

The Greyhound, part of the Hound Group are as independent, gentle, and loyal as they are fast. This larger, lithe-bodied breed will live to be anywhere from 10 to 13 years old.

16 of 16

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Katelyn Chef

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 16
2 of 16 Chihuahua
3 of 16 Yorkshire Terrier
4 of 16 Australian Cattle Dog
5 of 16 Dachshund
6 of 16 Toy Poodle
7 of 16 Pomeranian
8 of 16 Lhasa Apso
9 of 16 Russell Terrier
10 of 16 Papillon
11 of 16 Irish Setter
12 of 16 Chow Chow
13 of 16 Beagle
14 of 16 Shih Tzu
15 of 16 Maltese
16 of 16 Greyhound

Share options

Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Login

Martha Stewart

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Customer Service
  • Media Kit
  • Sitemap
  • Martha's Blog
  • Advertise
  • Content Licensing
  • FAQ
  • Corporate
  • International

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en Español this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
Martha Stewart is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.marthastewart.com

View image

The 15 Dog Breeds That Live the Longest
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.