Dog ownership brings endless joy to people’s everyday lives. Nonetheless, dog owners must face the unfortunate inevitable, that people live much longer than their furry companions. On average, dogs have a lifespan of 10 to 13 years at best.

Obviously, this age number, is not necessarily true for every breed, for the reason that there is a wide variety of life expectancy between the breeds, depending on their general health and their sizes.

Dog Life Expectancy Calculator

It is commonly believed that smaller breeds tend to live longer. This is backed by the theory that larger dogs show the signs of aging, and also tend to grow up faster.

This rapid development in the early days of their lives can lead to an earlier occurrence of abnormal tissue developments, like cancerous tumors and aging-associated illnesses including arthritis.

Mixed or purebred

Another differentiating factor in dog life expectancy is being purebred, or a mixed “mutt”. It is proven to be true, that purebreds who were massively interbred can be subject to more health problems, due to the interbreeding and their genetic makeup.

Moreover, inbred dogs can carry specific genes for a particular disorder for multiple generations. Meanwhile, mixed dogs who have at least two breeds tend to have the least health problems and live longer than anticipated.

Health Problems

Even though the dogs’ disease is unavoidable, the owner can significantly increase his / her companion’s life expectancy. Usually, a dog with a proper, nutritious diet and regular exercise can live a longer, happier life than one without these.

In addition, taking the dog to the veterinarian for regular wellness exams and getting the dog booster shots, can also benefit the dog in the longer run.

Moreover, taking precautions, and having the dog checked up regularly also can result in finding the possible health problems and illnesses at an early stage, where they can possibly be treatable.

Neutering and spaying a puppy relatively early on, can also positively affect the dog’s lifespan. Multiple scientific studies show that these surgeries can help decrease the risks for some types of cancer affecting the breasts, testicles, and ovaries.

Other studies have suggested that in the case of female dogs, their life might be easier, and can also benefit from not having a litter of puppies, however, this theory has not been proven yet.

Dog's lifespan

A better way to understand the dogs’ lifespan is to convert their “dog years” into “human years”. There have been multiple studies around this question because it is a well-known fact that puppies tend to grow up faster and reach the age of fertility earlier than humans.

The most widespread theory is that one dog year equals 7 human years, however, this calculation method had just been recently falsified.

A new study, published in 2019, based on the changes in the dogs’ DNA over time suggests that the dogs’ first year equals 15 human years the second year equals about 9 human years, and after that, every year can account for about 5 human years.

However, this calculation method can vary from size to size. You can easily find out with our dog life expectancy calculator.

FAQ

How does the breed of a dog influence its life expectancy?

Yes, usually, smaller-sized dogs live longer than bigger-sized ones, thus choosing a smaller-sized breed, would increase the time the dogs could spend with their owner.

Does the size of a dog have an effect on its life expectancy?

Yes, smaller-sized dogs tend to live longer than bigger-sized dogs.

Does the weight of a dog have an effect on its life expectancy?

Yes, due to the health risks, caused by being over – or underweight. Moreover, the more the dog’s weight is, the more pressure is being put on the dogs’ joints, which, over the course of time, can also pose health problems.

Do overweight dogs live shorter than fit dogs?

Yes, because of health problems, including joint enlargement and gout, problems in the digestive systems, and also problems like heart or lungs failure.

Does the diet of the dog have an effect on their life expectancy?

Yes, it does have an effect. Usually, a dog with a regular, proper, nutritious diet and regular exercise can live a longer, happier life than one without these.

Does exercise have an effect on their life expectancy?

Yes, it does have an effect. Usually, a dog with regular and proper exercise can live a longer, happier life than one without these.

Does keeping the dogs exclusively indoors (in apartments, in houses) have an effect on their life expectancy?

It has not been proven that dogs kept exclusively inside would have an effect on their life expectancy. However, regular outdoor exercise can significantly boost the dogs’ overall mental and physical health.

Does keeping the dogs exclusively outdoors (in the garden) have an effect on their life expectancy?

It has not been proven that dogs kept exclusively outside would have an effect on their life expectancy. However, during the dogs’ socialization, it is crucial for them to meet household items, sounds, and persons. Also, surrounded by harsh climatic environments, a dog without the proper housing or fur, can easily be subject to illnesses caused by extreme cold or hot weather.

Do domesticated or wild dogs have a longer life expectancy?

It has not been researched in detail, that domesticated or wild dogs would possess a longer life expectancy. However, it is known that wild dogs are usually subject to hunger, and cannot have their obligatory, sometimes lifesaving vaccines, moreover they also do not pay regular visits to the veterinarian.

Does dog life expectancy vary from country to country?

It has not been proven that dog life expectancy would vary from country to country. However, it is known that the frequency of wild or homeless dogs differs from region to region. Also, considering the access to regular and thorough veterinarian examinations is not as widespread.

Which dog breeds live for the longest amount of time?

The small-sized dogs, including the Chihuahua, the Dachshund, and the Jack Russel Terrier are known to be able to reach 16-18 years. Interestingly, the Australian Cattle Dog holds the Guinness Record for the oldest dog that ever lived, reaching 29 years. The medium-sized Shiba Inu is also known to have a longer lifespan.

Which dog breeds live for the shortest amount of time?

The French Mastiff with an average lifespan from 5 to 8 years, is known to be the shortest living dog breed in the world. They are followed by the Bernese Mountain Dog with their 6-8 year life expectancy, and then by the Great Dane with their average lifespan being 6-9 years.

Do purebred breeds live longer than mixed breeds?

No, it was proven that usually mixed breeds tend to live longer, due to the fact that purebreds usually are inbred, and they can inherit specific illnesses through several generations.

Do mutts and mixed breeds live longer than purebreds?

Yes, it has proven to be true, that mutts and mixed breeds tend to have a longer life expectancy, than purebreds. Mixed dogs who have at least two parent breeds usually have the least health problems and can live longer than anticipated.

Does it have any effect on the life expectancy of a male or female dog?

Unlike in the case of humans, there is no significant difference between males and females when it comes to the expected lifespan.

Do male dogs live longer than female ones?

There is no significant difference between the lifespan of the male or female dog. However castrated and eunuchized male specimens tend to live longer, than the fertile ones.

Do female dogs live longer than male ones?

There is no significant difference between the lifespan of the male or female dog. However spayed and eunuchized female specimens tend to live longer, than the fertile ones.

The reason is that pregnancy and giving birth to a litter of puppies can have major health risks, which shorten the expected lifespan of female specimens.

How can I calculate the age of my dog?

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the calculation of the age of a dog varies between the sizes. However, one uniform calculation method can be used to guess the dog’s age converted into human age. The dog’s first year equals 15 human years, then the second year equals about 9 human years, and after that, every year can account for about 5 human years.

Where can I find a dog life expectancy calculator?

Here or it is also possible to calculate it by a simple method. The dog’s first year equals 15 human years, then the second year equals about 9 human years, and after that, every year can account for about 5 human years.

Where can I find a chart for dog life expectancy?

On the page of AKC (American Kennel Club) or on the site of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

What is the average life expectancy of a dog?

The average expected lifespan is between 6 and 9 years regarding the large and bigger-sized breeds. In the case of medium, small, and toy-sized breeds, this number is between 12 and 15 usually.

What is the average dog life expectancy converted into human years?

The average expected lifespan converted into human years is between 50 and 80 years.

How do heartworms affect dog life expectancy?

If the heartworms are discovered at an early stage, both the vet and the owner can take action in order to cure the dog completely. Unfortunately, this disease can quickly cause the death of the dog. This illness is considered very common among younger dogs.

How does diabetes affect dog life expectancy?

If diabetes is discovered at an early stage, both the vet and the owner can take action in order to increase the dog’s lifespan. Nevertheless, the owner, from the time of the diagnosis must take extra precautions concerning the dog’s nutrition.

Diabetes is not curable, and the majority of diabetic dogs require insulin injections throughout their whole life, after the diagnosis. Fortunately, by spaying the female specimens, diabetes tends to be more controllable.

How does cancer affect dog life expectancy?

If the cancerous tumor and the illness are discovered at an early stage, both the vet and the owner can take action in order to increase the dog’s lifespan. However, even if caught at an early stage, cancer usually takes multiple years of a dog’s life.

Is there anything with the owner that can increase their dog’s life expectancy?

Yes, there are multiple things the owner can do in order to increase their dog’s lifespan. For example, a proper and nutritious diet, and regular physical and mental exercise can boost the dog’s overall health, thus their life expectancy.

Is there anything with the owner that can decrease their dog’s life expectancy?

Yes, there are multiple things the owner can do in order to decrease their dog’s lifespan. For example, malnutrition, over or under-feeding, and the lack of physical and mental exercise can pose health risks, thus decreasing the dog’s life expectancy.