Who’s the Oldest Dog?: The 11 Longest-Living Dog Breeds

We wish our dogs could live forever. But since that’s not a possibility, the next best thing is picking a dog with a good, long life expectancy. So, what are the longest-living dog breeds? While it can vary a lot due to health conditions, the average life span of small dogs is generally longer than big dogs.

If you’re hoping your dog gets the “world’s oldest dog” title someday, check out this list. We’re not saying these individual pooches are the world’s oldest dogs, but their average lifespan is on the high end of the spectrum. All of these long-living dog breeds have an average life expectancy of at least 10 years and up to 19 years.

Coton de Tulear

15-19 years

The Coton de Tulear is a small dog known to be an amiable companion with a silky soft coat.

Chinese Crested

13-18 years

These tiny dogs won’t be mistaken for another breed. With a small frame, spikey hair, and exposed skin, Chinese Cresteds are loved by their owners for being sweet, devoted pets.

Toy Poodle

10-18 years

Known for their sophisticated haircuts and agility, toy poodles are little dogs and big brains.

Miniature Schnauzer

10-18 years

Recognized for their endearingly bushy beards, these dogs are family-friendly and highly trainable.

Shetland Sheepdog

10-18 years

Bred to be a herding dog, Shetland Sheepdogs are highly intelligent, trainable, and active.

Shih Tzu

10-18 years

Known to be particularly good with kids, the Shih Tzus are sweet and beautiful—though their coats require diligent grooming.

Toy Manchester Terrier

15-17 years

Originally bred as hunting dogs, Toy Manchester Terriers are sleek, lean, and wicked fast.

Chihuahua

14-16 years

Chihuahuas are an ancient breed of the Americas, beloved for their small stature and energetic personalities.

German Wirehaired Pointer

14-16 years

Originally bred to hunt birds, this breed needs tons of exercise! If you’re looking for an athletic companion, this dog could be a great fit.

Havanese

14-16 years

With a reputation for being sociable, these petite dogs are gaining popularity amongst people in cities.

Shiba Inu

13-16 years

An ancient Japanese breed, Shiba Inus are medium-sized dogs with big personalities.

Australian Cattle Dog

12-16 years

Also known as “Blue Heelers”, these energetic dogs do best with owners who can put them to work.

Pomeranian

12-16 years

The Pomeranian is a small fluffy dog known to be an excellent companion.

Toy Fox Terrier

13-15 years

Toy Fox Terriers are compact, agile, and entertaining. You certainly won’t get bored with one of these dogs around!

Australian Shepherd

12-15 years

Another herding dog, Australian Shepherds pair intelligence with good looks. These dogs do best with an experienced owner.

Cardigan Welsh Corgi

12-15 years

Closely related to the popular Pembroke Welsh Corgi, these dogs can be distinguished from their cousins by their long tails.

Lhasa Apso

12-15 years

These small, sophisticated looking dogs are known to be close to their families but standoffish with strangers.

Maltese

12-15 years

This ancient breed from the Mediterranean has a reputation for being affectionate but a little stubborn.

Yorkshire Terrier

11-15 years

Commonly called “yorkies”, these tiny, boisterous dogs are extremely popular among city dwellers.

Beagle

10-15 years

One of the most popular breeds in the U.S., Beagles are loved for their loyalty and easy-going nature.

Of course, no matter your dog’s breed, a healthy diet, regular exercise, and quality care, plus spaying or neutering your pets, will help them have longer and happier lives. In fact, there are lots of simple, everyday things you can do to increase your dog’s life span and help them avoid health problems. And don’t worry if your current dog doesn’t happen to be on this list. Plenty of other breeds have individual dogs that have lived a very long time, like Maggie, the Australian sheepdog who made it to an impressive 30 years!

Curious about how to calculate your dog’s actual age? Check out the dog years calculator.

Further reading:

The 4 Biggest Health Mistakes Dog Owners Make

10 Signs You’re Ready to Adopt a Dog