Dog Breeds With The Shortest Average Lifespans – What To Know Before Adopting One Of These Pups
Every pet owner dreams of having their dog by their side forever, but unfortunately, some breeds tend to have shorter lifespans. Genetics, health challenges, and larger body sizes often contribute to these beloved companions leaving us sooner than we wish.
Dogue De Bordeaux: 5-8 Years Old
The powerful Dogue de Bordeaux, easily recognized by their distinctive fawn coat, are treasured for their deep loyalty, loving nature, and strong protective instincts toward their families. Though they make devoted companions, the American Kennel Club highlights that their lifespan tends to be relatively short—typically between five and eight years.
Sadly, this breed faces a heightened risk of serious health issues, including bloat, heart disease, epilepsy, and various hip and elbow disorders.
Leonberger: 7 Years Old
The gentle and friendly Leonberger is an excellent family pet, especially good with kids and fond of lengthy nature walks. Sadly, this charming breed tends to face health problems such as heart disease and various cancers.
Leonbergers generally have a relatively brief lifespan, often not living past seven years, which is roughly four years shorter than many other purebred dogs.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: 6 Years Old
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs form strong connections with their families, showing a special affection for children. Energetic, playful, and friendly, these mountain dogs also enjoy relaxing cuddle sessions on the couch.
According to a survey by the US breed club, their average lifespan is about six years, although some have been known to live as long as 11 years.
Welsh Springer Spaniel: 12-15 Years Old
Welsh Springer Spaniels are excellent family companions due to their loving personality, calm demeanor, and trainability. While they generally live a long life of 12 to 15 years, potential owners should keep in mind some health challenges associated with the breed.
Frequent issues include ear infections, thyroid problems, and various eye conditions.
Rhodesian Ridgeback: 10-12 Years Old
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are recognized for their eager-to-please nature and balanced temperament. With consistent veterinary attention and plenty of exercise, they often reach up to 12 years of age.
That said, this breed is prone to certain health issues that can sometimes shorten their lifespan.
Great Dane: 8-10 Years Old
Great Danes are famous for their friendly, patient, and loyal nature, and they rank among the largest dog breeds. However, their impressive size also brings health challenges that often result in a shorter lifespan compared to smaller dogs. Nicknamed "the heartbreak breed," they are especially vulnerable to issues such as an enlarged heart and heart disease, which significantly impact their longevity.
Brazilian Mastiff: 5-7 Years Old
Similar to other mastiffs, the Brazilian Mastiff is known for its courage and loyalty to its family. Unfortunately, their large size brings health problems that often limit their lifespan to just five to seven years.
Common concerns for this breed include bloat, joint disorders, and cancers, many of which are inherited.
Chow Chow: 8-12 Years Old
Chow Chows are known for their strong protective instincts and distinctive personalities. They tend to be low-energy dogs who prefer staying indoors, particularly to avoid encounters with strangers. Depending on their health, Chow Chows typically live between eight and twelve years.
Unfortunately, this breed is susceptible to several health problems, including autoimmune diseases, diabetes, and gastric cancer, among others.
Bullmastiff: 7-9 Years Old
Bullmastiffs, often described as gentle giants, are celebrated for their loyalty, courage, and affectionate nature. Unfortunately, this wonderful family companion usually has a lifespan of about seven to nine years, according to the American Kennel Club.
They are prone to certain health challenges, including heart problems, cancer, and bloat—a serious and potentially fatal condition causing abdominal swelling.
Basset Hound: 8-12 Years Old
Basset Hounds are lovable, laid-back dogs who go with the flow, happily adapting to whatever their owners want to do. Thankfully, this breed tends to live longer than many others, with an average lifespan of eight to 12 years.
To keep them healthy, it's important to schedule regular vet checkups and monitor for any signs of ear infections.
Newfoundland: 9-10 Years Old
The big, fluffy Newfoundland is a gentle and affectionate breed that lives to make its humans happy—slobber and all! While incredibly loyal, they're also prone to health problems like hip and elbow dysplasia, as well as heart conditions. On average, Newfoundlands live up to around ten years.
Saint Bernard: 8-10 Years Old
Saint Bernards are playful, lovable, and famously great with families. As the original nanny dog, they'll do anything for their humans. Unfortunately, their fast growth makes them prone to bone issues, including deterioration, bone cancer, and heart disease. Their typical lifespan is around eight to ten years.
French Bulldog: 10-12 Years Old
French Bulldogs are a beloved small breed known for their big ears, playful nature, and charm. Despite their size, their average lifespan is around 10 to 12 years. As a flat-faced breed, they often experience breathing problems, which can place added stress on their organs.
Doberman: 10-12 Years Old
Dobermans are fearless, loyal, and affectionate dogs that make excellent family companions and are great with children. However, their lifespan typically ranges from only ten to twelve years. They are prone to several health issues, including enlarged hearts, blood clotting disorders, and Wobbler's syndrome.
Rottweiler: 8-10 Years Old
Loyal, loving, and one of the best guardian dogs, Rottweilers are a great addition to any family who loves big boys and girls running around. That being said, potential owners should know this breed is very prone to bone cancer, skin disease, and parvovirus.
Along with other health-related factors, Rotties are only expected to live a young nine to ten years.
English Bulldog: 6 Years
English Bulldogs might be one of the more fun dog breeds out there. Calm and yet courageous, these cuddle-loving dogs make for great family pets. Sadly, according to a 2004 survey, the life expectancy of Bulldogs is a short six years.
This breed is known to be prone to cancer and various issues with its nasal passage.
Cane Corso: 9-12 Years Old
With big bodies and even bigger heads, Cane Corsos are some of the coolest dogs. On top of that, they are intelligent, loving, and loyal to their families, making them great pets.
Sadly, this breed is known to get a deadly disease, gastric torsion, also known as bloat. Their life expectancy can range from nine to 12 years.
Borzoi: 7-10 Years Old
Tall, dignified, and extremely loyal, the Borzoi breed can weigh up to 75-105 pounds! This intelligent hunting dog is great for outdoorsy families but comes with a few genetic-related health issues that leave its life expectancy between seven to ten years.
Some of the health issues include heart disease, wobbler syndrome, and hypothyroidism which is a thyroid issue.
Broholmer: 8-10 Years Old
Easy to train with a moderate energy level, Broholmers will be loyal to their family while a little apprehensive to strangers. Even so, they are a fun-loving breed that is easy to train and even easier to love.
Sadly, Broholmers age rapidly due to their larger stature, resulting in an eight to ten-year lifespan.
Scottish Deerhound: 8 Years Old
Scottish deerhounds are a breed known to be gentle and oddly polite. Eager to please, they love their families and are typically eager to play. Unfortunately, this large-breed dog comes with many health issues that leave its life expectancy around eight years.
Some health issues include heart disease, bone cancer, and a condition known as a twisted stomach.
Chinese Shar-Pei: 8-10 Years Old
Originating in southern China, the Chinese Shar-Pei is a wrinkly pooch with a calm and loyal demeanor. Unfortunately, excessive breeding when they came over to the United States led to a slew of issues.
Chinese Shar-Peis are prone to chronic skin disease, kidney failure, red mange, and various eye conditions. These ailments might be why this breed is only expected to live for around eight years, although there have been reports of some living as long as ten.
Bernese Mountain Dog: 6-8 Years Old
While the Bernese mountain dog is one of the most fun-loving and goofy of the large-dog breeds, their mortality rate is also one of the highest and quickest. With a slew of medical issues attached to this breed, they're only expected to live a short six to eight years.
One of the most common reasons for their short lifespan is due to various cancers.
Neapolitan Mastiff: 7-9 Years Old
While Neapolitan Mastiffs are wary around strangers, they are loyal and sweet with their loved ones. According to the American Kennel Club, this particular mastiff breed will, sadly, only live for around seven to nine years.
Like many larger breeds, Neapolitan Mastiffs are prone to bloat, a condition that can be fatal.
Mastiff: 6-10 Years Old
Mastiffs might be big, but they are gentle giants that are calm, courageous, and loving towards their families. That being said, according to the American Kennel Club, their life expectancy is only around six to ten years.
This short lifespan is in part due to cancer, bloat, and various forms of infections.
Irish Wolfhound: 6-8 Years Old
A larger dog breed, Irish Wolfhounds are loving towards their families and will do pretty much anything to get outside. According to the American Kennel Club, this breed has a very short lifespan, six to eight years.
Sadly, this breed is genetically predisposed to certain cancers, liver shunt, heart disease, and pneumonia.
Bloodhound: 10-12 Years Old
With their floppy ears and marvelous howl, Bloodhounds are a quirky breed. They're also extremely loyal to their families and friendly to anyone who wants to give them a nice scratch on their heads.
According to the American Kennel Club, this breed has a lifespan of around ten to 12 years, longer than many other larger breeds.
Boxer: 10-12 Years Old
Active and playful, boxers are one of the best family pets around! Sadly, their larger size and brachycephalic nature make their active personalities a downside, as they can put a whole lot of strain on their organs trying to breathe properly.
According to the American Kennel Club, boxer owners can expect their dog to live anywhere between ten to 12 years.
Boerboel: 9-11 Years Old
Loving towards their families and known to be guardians of the home, Boerboels make for great family pets. According to the American Kennel Club, though, they have a short lifespan of nine to 11 years.
While this breed is typically healthy, it is important to screen them for any signs of heart disease or joint issues.
Pyrenean Mastiff: 8-12 Years Old
A gentle and loving giant, it is important for owners of Pyrenean Mastiffs to watch their pooch's weight, as it may cause their lifespan to go from 12 years down to eight.
This breed is prone to obesity, something that will ultimately lead to heart failure and organ stress. As a larger dog breed, they are also prone to bloat.
Old English Sheepdog: 10-12 Years Old
The fun-loving Old English Sheepdog is a big ball of energy. Affectionate and great with children, this breed makes for a fantastic family pet. The key is to ensure its health, so it lives closer to 12 years and not ten.
Sadly, Old English Sheepdogs are prone to cardiac issues, and two deadly diseases called cerebellar ataxia and primary ciliary dyskinesia.
