Many people wonder how long a dog lives, but unfortunately there is no single precise answer that applies to all of our four-legged friends. Everything depends on the breed, lifestyle, and any health conditions the dog may have. However, it is possible to make a rough estimate and learn about the average lifespan of a dog by breed by looking at the relevant statistics… Let's find out how long dogs live and how a dog's age is calculated by comparing their age to ours.

How long does a dog live?

A dog's life expectancy is calculated based on deaths recorded by veterinarians. This statistical measurement is not carried out across the entire dog population, but on specific samples — that is, a limited number of individuals, differentiated by sex, breed, and size.

Statistical analyses show that the average lifespan of dogs generally ranges from 10 to 13 years. This must then be broken down further according to the dog's size and breed. It is well known that small dogs live longer than large dogs: for example, Chihuahuas are among the longest-lived, and can reach up to 20 years of age, compared to a Great Dane, which has a life expectancy of just 8 years.

Breed Life expectancy (years)
Chihuahua 10-18
Dachshund 14-17
Pomeranian 12-14
Lhasa Apso 12
Poodle 14-18
Shih Tzu 10-16
Australian Cattle Dog 12-15
Cardigan Welsh Corgi 12-14
Pembroke Welsh Corgi 12-14
Portuguese Podengo 14
Parson Russell Terrier 13-15
Yorkshire Terrier 13-16
Jack Russell 13-16
Border Collie 13-16
Beagle 12-15
Maltese 12-15
Australian Shepherd 13-15
Husky 12-14
Collie 12-13
Dobermann 10-13
German Shepherd 9-13
Labrador 10-12
Golden Retriever 10-12
Mastiff 10-12
Basset Hound 10-12
Bernese Mountain Dog 10-11
Newfoundland 8-10
Saint Bernard 8-10
English Bulldog 8-10
Great Dane 6-8
Boxer 10-12
Amstaff 10-12
Pinscher 12-14
Rottweiler 8-10
Schnauzer 13-16
Pug 12-15
Bull Terrier 11-14
Fox Terrier 12-15
Pit Bull 8-15

How a dog's age is calculated

When it comes to calculating a dog's age, there are several schools of thought, all based on comparing a dog's biological age to a human's. The first theory maps dog years to human years in the following way.

Dog months Human years
18 months 20 years
20 months 21 years
22 months 22 years
2 years 24 years
3 years 28 years
4 years 32 years
20 years 100 years

The second theory holds that each dog year corresponds to approximately 6 or 7 human years.

Dog years Human years
1 year 6/7 years
2 years 12/14 years
3 years 18/21 years
4 years 24/28 years
.. ..
13 years 78/91 years
14 years 84/98 years

In truth, we believe it is not all that important to worry about knowing exactly how long a dog lives — it is virtually impossible to know! The only thing that matters is enjoying every moment with your four-legged companion, making every second of their life truly unforgettable for them and for you.