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.
9. Neopolitan Mastiff
The adorably wrinkly Neopolitan Mastiff can expect to live for 7-9 years. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
10. Irish Wolfhound
The world's tallest breed of dog is also one of its most short-lived, with an average livespan of 6-10 years. Photo: Canva/Getty Images