Someone once said that getting a dog is just investing in sorrow, and though it seems terrible to think in such a way, it's also true. Our four-legged friends have much shorter lifespans than we do, so if you're a dog lover, you're pretty much guaranteed to have to say goodbye to multiple pets throughout your life. Of course, that doesn't mean that you should avoid getting pets, especially when you consider how much happiness they bring to our lives. But if you want your dog to be around for as long as possible, it helps to get a breed that has a long lifespan.
You'll be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn't love dogs, and it's easy to see why — these animals are loyal and playful, and they show their love to their favorite humans in so many ways. Even though it's the quality and not the quantity of a pet's years that truly matter, we still want to make sure our canine family members are with us for as long as they can be. While taking measures such as maintaining a proper diet, ensuring plenty of exercise, and keeping these common and deadly poisons out of their reach can help extend their lives, some breeds are also just prone to having more birthdays than others.
If you're thinking about getting a dog or just want to know how long you can expect your canine companion to be with you, check out these breeds that are known for living a really, really long time. My brother once had number 8, and the dog lived for over 17 years! Nobody lives forever, but these pups sure come close.
Make sure you SHARE these healthy breeds with everyone you know!
12. Pomeranian
These tiny, fluffy dogs are playful, loyal, and intelligent. You'll be more than happy to have them around for 14 years!
11. Coton de Tulear
This dog gets its name from its soft white coat, which has been compared to cotton. They have an average life expectancy of 15 years.
10. Maltese
It sure pays to be fluffy and small! These long-haired dogs owe their average of 15 years of life to the fact that they have very few genetic diseases.
9. Australian Shepherd
Despite their name, these dogs actually originated in the United States, not Australia. They have an average lifespan of 15 years.
8. Beagle
These smart dogs have been around for hundreds of years, thanks largely to the same lack of inherited diseases that enable them to live for an average of 15 years!
7. Lhasa Apso
These fluffy dogs were originally bred to alert Buddhist monks when intruders entered their temples, and today, their wariness of strangers still makes them great watchdogs. They can be expected to live for around 15 years.
6. Shih Tzu
Those who have allergies will love these little dogs; they don't shed their fur! They can be expected to live for 15 years.
5. Toy Poodle
The smallest variety of poodle also has the longest lifespan when compared to the Standard Poodle and Miniature Poodle. They usually live for around 16 years!
4. Cockapoo
This cross between a cocker spaniel and a poodle has been around since the 1950s, but most breed organizations such as the American Kennel Club still consider it a mixed breed. They get their 16-year lifespans from the poodle genes.
3. Jack Russell Terrier
These small, energetic dogs was originally bred for fox hunting. They have very few health problems, which is one reason why they live for an average of 16 years.
2. Chihuahua
The smallest breed of dog in the world is also one of the most popular in the U.S. They can live up to 17 years!
1. New Guinea Singing Dog
If you've never heard of this dog breed, you're not alone. They're a rare and primitive type of wild dog, but most of them now live in zoos, and some have been domesticated. Their strange name comes from their unique howl, which sounds almost like singing. These dogs can live for up to 18 years!
Make sure you SHARE these long-living breeds with everyone you know!
