How Long Do Dogs Really Live?

Wondering how long your furry friend will be around? Predicting lifespan is difficult, especially for dogs. But by considering a few science-backed factors, we can make an educated guess. Read on to find out how. 

Key Takeaways:

• A dog's expected lifespan can vary depending on many factors, including their size, breed, and weight.
• According to research, the average dog's lifespan is between 10 and 13 years. 
• However, larger dogs tend to live less long than smaller dogs. 
• Certain breeds, like Bulldogs and Pugs, also have shorter lifespans than other breeds of comparable size.

See Related: 10 Signs Your Dog Needs Probiotics

Understanding How Dogs Age

Many of us pet parents have, at one point or another, wondered why dogs seem to have such different life expectancies. 

Sometimes dogs live for just a few years. Other dogs hang on for decades.

No, seriously: One of the oldest-ever dogs died at the ripe old age of 29. Plenty of dogs have made it to their 20s.¹

Like centenarian humans, these long-lived pups are the exception, not the rule. But what is the rule? How long do dogs live, generally?

Average Lifespan

Answering that question is more complicated than you might think. In fact, experts are still unsure what the exact figure is!²

As you likely know, dogs are incredibly varied. Just compare a tiny chihuahua to a massive great dane and you'll understand the sort of potential difference we're discussing. These differences make it difficult to calculate a general estimate for lifespan.

However, research suggests the average life expectancy of dogs is about 10 to 13 years. 

One study from 2023 examined clinical data of almost 13.3 million dogs. The average life expectancy at birth was 12.69 years for dogs.³

Another study, which examined over 30,000 dogs, found an average life expectancy at birth of 11.23.⁴

Yet another study, which used data from over 500,000 dogs, resulted in a figure of 12.5 years.⁵

Converting Dog Years to Human Years

You may have heard that every dog year is the equivalent of seven human years. This conversion might be based on the simplified notion that dogs live for 10 years, on average, while humans live for 70 years, on average.

However, this conversion isn't accurate. It doesn't align with actual biological indicators of aging within dogs.

For example, most dogs seem to reach puberty around 10 months of age. By their first birthday, they would be about 15 years old in human terms, almost twice as old as the 1:7 ratio would suggest!⁶

In reality, the formula to convert dog years to human years is much more complex than a simple multiplication. And things don't always line up as neatly as we might expect.⁷

Which Dogs Live Longer?

Further complicating the situation is the fact that different dogs have much shorter lifespans than others, and vice versa.

For example, multiple studies have found that female dogs tend to live longer than male dogs.³, ⁴

Life Expectancy of Different Dog Sizes

The size of a dog can also impact how long they will live. Smaller dogs tend to live longer than larger dog breeds.

For example, one study found that toy and small dogs had an average lifespan more than three years higher than that of giant dogs.³ The average life expectancy at birth of different dog sizes was found to be the following:

• Giant breeds: 9.51 years
• Large breeds: 11.51 years
• Medium breeds: 12.7 years
• Small breeds: 13.53 years
• Toy dogs: 13.36 years

Bonus: Why is My Dog Losing Hair in Patches?

Life Expectancy of Different Dog Breeds

Even among dogs of similar sizes, the average lifespan can vary based on breed.

For example, research has found that French Bulldogs and English Bulldogs have different average lifespans, despite being similar sizes.⁴

In general, flat-faced dogs, like Pugs and Bulldogs, tend to live shorter than other breeds. In fact, one study found that French Bulldogs had the shortest lifespan of any breed, at just 4.53 years on average.⁴

In contrast, the longest-lived breeds had a life expectancy at birth of over 12 years. These included the Jack Russell Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier, Border Collie, and Springer Spaniel.⁴

Interestingly, research also suggests that mixed-breed dogs live longer, on average, than pure-breed dogs.³

Estimating Your Dog's Life Expectancy

As you can see, it's pretty difficult to generalize when discussing the average dog's lifespan. 

Another thing to consider is how old your dog is already. This might sound strange, but bear with us.

You may have heard about the difficulty of calculating how long the average human lived in the past. Because so many people died in infancy, the overall average was brought down. 

For example, one study concluded the life expectancy for a person born in 1841 was just 41.6 years. But for a person who was 5 years old in 1841, their life expectancy was 55.2 years, over a decade longer. And a person who was 20 years old in 1841 could expect to live another 40 years, on average.⁸

The same principle applies with dogs.⁹ That can lead to some interesting findings.

For example, one study found that Hound dogs and Toy dogs had a similar life expectancy at birth: 10.71 years and 10.67 years, respectively.⁴ In fact, if anything, Hound dogs had a slightly higher expected lifespan at birth than Toy dogs. 

But by age 12, this had flipped. 12-year-old Hound dogs lived another 1.52 years, on average, while 12-year-old Toy dogs lived another 2.27 years, on average. 

And while basically no Hound dogs reached the age of 18, 19-year-old Toy dogs lived another 0.66 years, on average. 

Some sources suggest that larger dogs age faster than smaller dogs. This could explain the divergence in lifespan between dogs of different sizes.6 However, this idea isn't universally supported.¹⁰

Some small dogs are also more likely to pass away at a young age, but if they don't, they can expect to live quite long.¹¹

What Can You Do for Your Dog’s Lifespan?

While we can't prevent our beloved furry friends from passing on, we can support their health to help them live a (relatively) long and happy life.

For example, research suggests that dogs at a healthy weight tend to live longer than overweight dogs.³ A balanced diet, exercise, regular vet visits, and a loving home are all things that can help support a pup's health.

Supporting Aging Dogs

Nevertheless, older dogs may experience certain issues, just like older humans.

Decreased Mobility

Older dogs often face mobility issues.¹² One way to help keep dogs in peak condition is through CBD supplements. 

For example, our Mobility Hemp Extract for Dogs contains a carefully crafted 4:1 ratio of CBDa to CBD specifically formulated to support joint function. And our full-spectrum, organic CBD oil may help support joint flexibility and mobility.

Stress

Some dogs may become more stressed as they age.¹³ They may enjoy our Calming CBD Soft Chews, which contain full-spectrum CBD to help them cope with external stresses. Our Quick Calm Spray and Sleep Support Hemp Extract can also promote relaxation.