Now, it should be known that while Bluey’s age is pretty impressive, it’s not typical of all dogs.
The average age for a domestic, purebred dog is between 10-13 years, though some breeds of man’s best friend get much closer to Bluey than others. Some breeds have fewer health issues and some are less susceptible to stress, but mostly it boils down to strong genetic lines. Well, that and the smaller they are the longer they tend to live. In this case, size does matter, most of the time.
Want to have a furry friend for the better part of three decades? Here are the 25 dog breeds that live the longest.
Yorkshire Terrier, 17-20 years
Also known as the Yorkie, these feisty little pups are one of the most popular dogs breeds in the United States. Besides living longer than most other dog breeds, Yorkshire Terriers are well-suited to apartment living, are great for first-time dog owners, and are friendly both with people and other dogs.
They have outstanding overall health with an average lifespan between 17 and 20 years.
Chihuahua, 15-20 years
Though Chihuahuas aren’t the best dogs for homes with small children, and they do have their fair share of health problems (too much Taco Bell perhaps?), they also tend to have a longer life span than many other breeds.
They typically only weigh between 5-7 pounds (the smallest dog breed on the planet actually) and live, on average, between 15 and 20 years.
New Guinea Singing Dog, 18-20 years
While not the best breed for a house pet, the New Guinea Singing Dog sure does live a long time. They’re known for their signature howl and for being a rare breed native to the island of New Guinea.
Being that they’re still closely related to their pre-domestication ancestors, they aren’t great with children. Because they’ve had very little interbreeding, they still maintain a strong genetic line contributing to their long lives–18-20 years!
Cockapoo, 18 years
Relatively new on the scene (the 1960s to be exact) is the Cockapoo, a hybrid dog breed that’s half Poodle and half Cocker Spaniel. This breed is super intelligent and easy to train, barely sheds, with an affectionate disposition. Cockapoos are great for novice dog owners and are all-around friendly with everyone they meet.
These dogs, with their moderate energy levels and exercise needs, can weigh anywhere from 12-25 pounds and live about 18 years. That’s eighteen years of loving everyone they come into contact with.
Shih Tzu, 15-20 years
Shih Tzu is the Chinese word for “little lion” but they are anything but. They’re famously friendly and make great lap dogs—not exactly lion behavior. They were bred with the purpose of creating great companions and one that will be around a very long time in canine terms. This breed is affectionate and does well in small living spaces, however they do have a tendency towards unhealthy weight gain.
Shih Tzus are moderately easy to train and will be up for a game of fetch almost any ol’ day. And you better like throwing sticks because this breed will be around anywhere from 15-20 years.
Jack Russell Terrier, 20 years
Before they came to be fabulous house pets, Jack Russell Terriers spent centuries hunting foxes. It’s this innate characteristic that gives them almost ceaseless energy and drive. They’re independent, intelligent, and should really be owned by dog owners who know how to handle them. They have great overall health, an affectionate personality, and are great with families and strangers alike.
In addition to living to almost 20 years old, Jack Russell Terriers need constant stimulation so you better not have anything to do for the next couple of decades.
Dachshund, 12-15 years
This small breed, often referred to as “wiener dogs”, have high tolerance levels and make great companions. They’re fairly healthy dogs but you better watch that weight gain as it can create back problems for these low-flying pups. They’re smart and, just like the Jack Russell Terrier, have an instinct to hunt small prey (yet are surprisingly great with kids).
Provided they don’t suffer any chronic health issues (no hot dogs for this hot dog), Dachshunds can live up to 15 years.
Toy Poodle, 20 years
Toy Poodles are one of the most intelligent dog breeds around making them very easy to train. That, combined with their super high energy levels makes them the ideal dog breed for agility competitions.
They have relatively few health concerns being that they aren’t incredibly small nor incredibly large, and, since they’re hypoallergenic, make great pets for humans with health issues.
It’s a good thing Toy Poodles make such great companions as they’re likely to be around with you for up to 20 years.
Schipperke, 13-15 years
The Schipperke hails from Belgium and is known as the “little captain”… however they’re often called the “little black devil” as well. This breed is highly curious with above average intelligence and the tendency to wander off.
Schipperkes make great family pets and are easy to keep groomed. They maintain great health and make superb watchdogs and hunters—part of the reason they were bred in the first place. These little guys (or gals) will be catching rats for you for around 13 to 15 years.
Bichon Frise, 15-16 years
The Bichon Frise bears an undeniable resemblance to a stuffed animal, just one of many reasons this breed is with great for kids. Their fluffy white fur hardly sheds and is another of the hypoallergenic sort. At just under a foot tall, the Bichon Frise lives a long life of great health, high energy levels, and always wants to play.
They’re compact, have a good-natured disposition, and have the potential to be your companion for up to 16 years.
Australian Cattle Dog, 12-16 years
Obviously the breed that produced Bluey, the world’s oldest dog, is going to be in this list and that would be the Australian Cattle Dog. These dogs are often also referred to as Blue Heeler, Queensland Heeler, and is, in fact, related to the Dingo—the famous Australian wild dog.
Australian Cattle Dogs are a hardy breed with great strength, agility, and never ending energy. This breed is loyal, intelligent, and they make great companions for runners. Regular exercise and enrichment keep these dogs both physically and mentally in shape—without a doubt a contributing factor to them living to 16 years of age.
Cardigan Welsh Corgi, 12-15 years
Cardigan Welsh Corgis (along with their tailless brother, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi) were bred for herding cattle over 3,000 years ago in Wales. They’re highly energetic and intelligent with a plump body on short little legs a cow can kick right over.
These dogs makes great guardians and mix well with children and other pets. Their need for stimulation and exercise keeps them in great health and living a long life up to 15 adorable years.
Australian Shepherd, 15-18 years
Another breed in the herding category is the Australian Shepherd—one of the largest breeds on this list topping out at around 65 pounds. Despite being named the “Australian” Shepherd, the breed actually originated in the western United States, around the time of the 1840s Gold Rush.
Australian Shepherds are greatly associated with cowboys whether it be out on the land or inside at the rodeo. They have loads of energy they can’t wait to expend and are incredibly intelligent dogs—sometimes too intelligent. You can trust Australian Shepherds will be around outsmarting you for up to 18 years.
Scotch Collie, 15-16 years
From Australia on to Scotland comes the next breed—the Scotch Collie and the largest on this list with a full-grown weight of 75 pounds. The Scotch Collie is yet another bred primarily for herding livestock. They’re extremely intelligent and are superb at anticipating your needs.
They have the highest ratings on the friendliness scale but you can count on cleaning up dog hair all the live-long day. And living to around 16 years, that’s a lot of days. At least they’ll be around should you ever find you’ve fallen down a well.
Lhasa Apso, 12-15 years
Having been around for more than 1,000 years, the Lhasa Apso dog breed knows a thing or two about longevity. They’re small but big-time confident and that regal hairstyle still shows off their past as palace guards in Tibet.
Lhasa Apsos make great pets for first-timers and adapt well to small living spaces (a far cry from their palaces of yore). They’re friendly and smart but grooming can be a nightmare. Prepare yourself for between 12-15 years of brushing, brushing, and more brushing.
Boykin Spaniel, 10-15 years
The Boykin Spaniel is another breed known for its hunting skills—primarily birds. It’s a highly active breed that also makes for a great companion. Boykins do well in both hot and cold climates, are great with kids, and are easy to train. They’re larger than Cocker Spaniels but smaller than Springer Spaniels and have webbed feet that help them swim.
However, with their above average intensity and energy levels and an almost constant need for exercise, it’s going to be one heck of an active 10 to 15 years for you.
Toy Manchester Terrier, 15-17 years
The Manchester Terrier is named for Manchester, England where the breed originates. The Toy variety of the Manchester Terrier weighs around 12 pounds, a little more than half the weight of the standard version.
Toy Manchester Terriers are an energetic breed but are prone to pack on the unwanted pounds resulting in dangerous obesity. However, when fed a healthy, dog-appropriate diet, the Toy Manchester Terrier can live to a whopping 17 years old.
Pug, 12-15 years
Pugs are a well-known and popular breed and are known as the ideal house dog. Their breed can be traced back to ancient China some 2,000 years ago when emperors had a thing for flat-faced dogs (like the Shih Tzu mentioned previously).
Pugs are jovial, friendly, and are well suited to apartment living. However, like the Manchester, Pugs are prone to obesity and can suffer a number of other health issues. When taken proper care of and not given too many table scraps, the Pug can still outlive many breeds, living to 15 years old.
Italian Greyhound, 15 years
Italian Greyhounds may be just true miniature Greyhounds, but they’ve got all the playfulness and affection of a full-size.
At just over a foot tall, they are tiny dogs with relatively long, slender legs and curved lines. They were bred and made popular in medieval times to be companions and decorative sidekicks. They’re easy to groom and have high health rankings as well as exercise needs. Just like their larger counterparts, they have a serious prey drive and will be chasing small animals for up to 15 years.
Miniature Schnauzer, 12-15 years
Of the three Schnauzer breeds, this one, true to its name, is the smallest—weighing in between 11-20 pounds packed into 12-14 inches.
Miniature Schnauzers are generally healthy and were created to be the ideal farm dog. They’re muscular and fearless, easily trainable, and get along great with other animals (except the ones they’re hunting). They make top notch watchdogs and you can count on these little guys to protect you for up to 15 years.
Miniature Pinscher, 15 years
Next up is another miniature version of a full-size breed: the Miniature Pinscher. However, though its commonly believed that the Miniature Pinscher is a deliberately miniaturized Doberman Pinscher, that is not true—they are, in fact, a completely separate and much older breed.
Min Pins, as they’re commonly known, are alert and energetic, self-assured, and make great companions. This high-stepping dog breed requires a decent amount of exercise and don’t be surprised when it brings home little furry “presents” for you. This breed is an overall healthy one but the Min Pin’s teeth should be brushed often to maintain its health for its 15 years.
Beagle, 12-15 years
The Beagle, with its stereotypical “puppy dog eyes” ain’t nothing but a hound dog—a fact you’ll recognize immediately upon hearing that signature howl. Beagles were bred as pack hunters so they’re more than happy for your (or anyone else’s) company.
They are curious and clever, can sniff out anything, anywhere, and are the most popular hound breed among American dog owners. And living to 12-15 years that popularity is going to last a long time.
Maltese, 12-15 years
The Maltese, with their shiny white coat, may come off as a fancy show dog but they actually excel in obedience and agility sports. They’re affectionate with members of their own families, including children, but may come off as a little wary of strangers. They’re moderately easy to train with a playful disposition but can become protective.
The Maltese are quick to adapt to their environments and won’t shed all over your apartment. This breed has relatively few health problems and are known to live well into their teens.
Pomeranian, 12-16 years
Believe it or not, in the 16th century the Pomeranian was bred as a large sled dog and is descended from other large breeds such as the Samoyed and Alaskan Malamute. Some say this explains their big-dog attitude.
Pomeranians are easily trained and active but, because they’re so small, don’t require all that much space for exercise. Pomeranians may be cute and cuddly but don’t be fooled—they’re feisty and independent as well. After 12-16 years with them, you’ll see.
Boston Terrier, 12-15 years
Boston Terriers have a similar look to the Pug but have a history of having been bred for use as fighting dogs. Today though, they’re sweet and companionable and what some may call “dapper”. And just like their name insinuates, they make great pets for small urban living situations.
Boston Terriers are famously good-tempered and make great pets for families with children and/or older people. While they are mildly susceptible to heat stress, you can bet your Boston Terrier is going to live to between 12-15 years.
