15 Longest-Living Dog Breeds, You Won’t Believe How Long The Oldest One Lives

Every dog owner knows that dogs aren’t with us for nearly long enough. But an Australian Kelpie named Maggie managed to live 30 years. For most of the time she stayed in good health, and suddenly she deteriorated over two days and passed away peacefully in her sleep. Unfortunately, Maggie won’t make it into the Guinness Book of World Records because her owner lost her paperwork long ago. But hopefully, a good, long life is an even better reward.

So do you want a dog that could spend more time with you? Here are 15 dog breeds that live the longest.

1. New Guinea Singing Dog

Average lifespan: 18 years

Never heard of this breed before? Well, that’s probably because it is considered the world’s rarest dog, with only about 100 living in captivity. Singing Dogs are nicknamed Stone Age Dogs because they are 30,000 years old. However, they are very gentle and friendly with humans.

2. Chihuahua

Average lifespan: 17 years

Chihuahuas are one of the longest living breeds, and perhaps because they’re also one of the smallest. The world’s oldest Chihuahua on record is megabyte, who passed away on January 1, 2014 at the age of 20 years and 265 days.

3. Pomeranian

Average lifespan: 16 years

This foxy-faced dog, nicknamed “the little dog who thinks he can,” is an active dog breed that’s interested in everything that is going on around them, which enables him a long lifespan of 16 years.

4. Toy Poodle

Average lifespan: 16 years

If you’re looking for a dog that will fit in your purse whenever you travel, and live a long time, a toy poodle will be a good option. The oldest living toy poodle was Seamus, who lived to be 20-years-old.

5. Boston Terrier

Average lifespan: 16 years

These smart little show-offs love to play and chase balls. Extremely sensitive to his owner’s mood, some Boston Terriers are one-person dogs, with a special affinity for the elderly.

6. Cockapoo

Average lifespan: 16 years

A hybrid of a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle, Cockapoos have outgoing and loving personalities that sometimes cause them to suffer from separation anxiety.

7. Shih Tzu

Average lifespan: 16 years

Shih Tzus used to be favourites of royalty in China’s Ming Dynasty, and today they live long lives as companion animals throughout the world. A true sweetheart, his purpose in life is to love and to be loved.

8. Jack Russell Terrier

Average lifespan: 16 years

These pups are well known for their high level of energy. Maybe that’s what keeps them going so long. The world’s oldest Jack Russell Terrier on record is Willie, who lived 20 years and 106 days.

9. Yorkshire Terrier

Average lifespan: 16 years

Yorkies are one of the most popular breeds around. While this popular breed is often pampered today, people used their ancestors to hunt rats.

10. Dachshund

Average lifespan: 15 years

These playful pups are adorable and sweet, and they make for amazing companions in any family. A Dachshund named Chanel, who always wears red goggles because of her cataracts, holds the longest living record of 21 years old.

11. Lhasa Apso

Average lifespan: 15 years

The oldest Lhasa Apso on record lived a whopping 29 years and passed away in 1939. They’re known as good indoor watchdogs since they tend to be suspicious of strangers.

12. Pug

Average lifespan: 15 years

Pugs are about the cutest thing you will see all day, and we love them. They’re kind of lazy and they do enjoy a good game of fetch for a few minutes before they move on to something completely different elsewhere.

13. Siberian Husky

Average lifespan: 15 years

Huskies have a zest for life that is unmatched by few breeds. Every time a Husky is outside, it’s as if it’s his first time and adult Huskies play with the vigor of a puppy.

14. Beagle

Average lifespan: 15 years

Beagles are considered to be one of the best dogs for children, with their docile nature and active lifestyle. The oldest known Beagle was named Butch, who lived in Virginia and died at the ripe old age of 27 in 2009.

15. Maltese

Average lifespan: 15 years

Females of this breed tend to live one year longer than their male counterparts, but all Maltese pups are expected to have long lifespans since they suffer from few serious genetic diseases.