If you’ve been thinking about welcoming a new dog into your home then you’re in good company – Royal Kennel Club (the new name for the UK Kennel Club) stats show that the number of people looking for puppies has surged to record levels.
Dogs come in all shapes, colours and sizes - there are 221 different pedigree dogs recognised by breeders in the UK, from Affenpinscher to Yorkshire Terrier (there are sadly no dog breeds starting with the letter ‘z’!).
So there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your family’s latest four-legged addition – whether you want a large dog, family-friendly dog, or an easy to train dog.
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There is even scientific research to guide you, in particular psychologist Stanley Coren’s groundbreaking book The Intelligence of Dogs.
Choosing the right breed is absolutely essential – for example opting for a small dog if you don’t have much room at home, or a hypoallergenic dog if you suffer from allergies.
And one thing you might like to consider is that different breeds have significantly different average lifespans.
Research published in the journal Scientific Reports has used the Royal Veterinary College’s Veterinary Companion Animal Surveillance System (VetCompass), a database holding information on over two million animals, to work out the average life expectance of some of the UK’s most popular breeds of dog.
Researchers took a random sample of 30,563 dogs that died over a five year period to come to their findings.
Here’s what they found about the average lifespan of 17 of the most common dog breeds.
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13. Siberian Husky
A hardy Arctic sledge dog that can pull people and produce over miles of icy tundra, the Siberian Husky can be expected to clock up an average age of 9.53 years | AFP via Getty Images
14. Chihuahua
A 21-year-old Chihuahua was named the world's oldest living dog a couple of years ago, but researchers found the average pup only lives for 7.91 years. It holds the crown of the world's smallest dog. | Getty Images
15. American Bulldog
All four of the dog breeds that have the shortest lifespans, starting with the American Bulldog, are brachycephalic (flat-faced). The lower life expectancies are associated with the animals suffering from several conditions, including breathing problems and spinal disease. The American Bulldog lives for an average of 7.79 years. | Getty Images
16. Pug
The adorably wrinkly Pug is cute but these dogs are prone to developing a host of health issues, giving these small pubs an average life of 7.65 years. | Canva/Getty Images