The last two years have seen many of us welcome a new four-legged friend into our homes, as the Kennel Club has seen dog ownership soar rise. and around one-in-three households now contain at least one four-legged friend.
But with 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your perfect pup – whether you want a large dog, family-friendly dog, or crossbreed.
One of the terrible truths of dog ownership is that we are likely to outlive our adored pet, with the average dog living just 10-13 years – but there's a fairly substantial gap between the breeds that live the longest and shortest lives.
Smaller dogs, like the Chihuahua, tend to live until relatively old age, while larger dogs can expect a lifespan of half as long.
Here are the 10 breeds that have the shortest and longest average lifespans.
5. Beagle
The oldest recorded Beagle was called Butch, from the USA, who lived until he was 28. More usually, Beagles can be expected to live for between 12 and 16 years. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
6. Dogue de Bordeaux
Moving onto the dog breeds with the shortest lives. Also known as the French Mastiff, the Dogue de Bordeaux has the shortest average life of ang dog breed, tending to live between 5 and 8 years. They have obstacles to overcome from the very start - with one of the highest stillbirth rates of any breed - while their brachycephalic (flat) face means that they are at a higher risk of developing breathing problems than other dogs. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
7. Great Dane
In common with many large dogs, the enourmous Great Danes lives a relatively short life - averaging 6-8 years. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
8. Bernese Mountain Dog
Another gentle giant, the beautiful Bernese Mountain Dog also lives around 6-8 years. Photo: Canva/Getty Images