We might wish our dogs could live forever – but the truth is they age much quicker than we do. Some breeds also age much faster than others, so it’s important to know the average lifespan for your dog’s size.
Here’s what you need to know, plus how to keep your dog as fit and healthy as possible, for as long as possible.
The average dog life span is 11 years — although there’s a large amount of variation depending on a dog’s breed and size. That means typical dog age span ranges are usually split into four categories.
Bichon Frise: 15+ years
Chihuahua: 7+ years, although they can live as long as 20
Dachshund: 12-13 years
Lhasa Apso: 12 years
Yorkshire Terrier: 12+ years
Border Collie: 12+ years
Cockapoo: 13+ years
English Springer Spaniel: 11+ years
Labradoodle: 12-15 years
Staffordshire Bull Terrier: 10+ years
Boxer: 10+ years
German Shepherd: 10+ years
Golden Retriever: 10+ years
Labrador: 10-12 years
Rottweiler: 8-10 years
If you’ve got a giant breed like a Great Dane, you might start to notice signs of them ageing from four or five onwards. But if you’ve got a tiny Chihuahua, they’ll probably still be acting like a puppy at the same age.
The main reason different dog breeds age at different rates is because of their size, with large breeds ageing considerably faster. The reasons behind this aren’t well understood, but there are a lot of other factors that affect a dog’s ageing process including:
Cross-breed, or mixed-breed dogs, tend to live longer than pedigree dogs due to a phenomenon known as ‘hybrid vigour’. Because purebred dogs are bred from a smaller gene pool, they’re often at higher risk for specific diseases than cross breeds.
Whether you’re choosing a mixed breed puppy like Labradoodles and Cockapoos, or a pedigree like Golden Retrievers and Huskies, it’s important to ask their breeder for the results of any health tests on the parent dogs and puppies.
A balanced diet is essential for your dog’s health and fitness. This needs to be tailored to your dog’s breed, age and fitness levels, so if you’re unsure where to start, speak to your vet for advice.
If you have dog insurance with Petplan, you can also use our Pet Expert Chat feature to speak with vet professionals from the comfort of your own home. Simply log in to your My Petplan account and head to the My Support area.
Your dog’s food should also be suitable for their specific lifestage, so their age will determine whether you’ll be feeding them a puppy, adult, or senior formulation. Avoid feeding fatty table scraps, and remember to subtract the calories from any treats from your dog’s daily ration, so they don’t end up overweight.
Physical and mental stimulation are essential for keeping your dog’s body – and mind – active. How much exercise your dog needs will depend on their breed, fitness levels, health and age.
Aim for a blend of physical exercise like walking, plus mental stimulation like training sessions and games. Puzzle feeders and lick mats are also a great way to keep your dog mentally stimulated while you're out of the house.
Obesity in dogs is becoming more common, with research from the PDSA finding that vet professionals estimate that 46% of dogs in the UK are obese or overweight. But extra weight can contribute to a wide range of health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes and arthritis, which may impact your dog’s lifespan.
The best way to monitor your dog’s weight is using body condition scoring (BCS), something that’s easy to learn and can be included in your daily routine.
Because dogs are individuals, they also age at different rates. It’s important to know the signs of ageing, so you can support your dog in the right way. Watch out for:
Ageing is a natural process – and something to be celebrated. Throwing your dog a birthday party is a fun way to honour the joy they bring to your life, and is also the perfect excuse for some cake, homemade treats and fun games.
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