Dogs with the shortest lifespans are the ones that are bred to be very small, those that are not exercised, and those that have a genetic disorder. The environment also plays a role in how long a dog lives.
Dogs are the best friends of human beings. They provide companionship, protection, and they make us happy. But not all dogs have a long lifespan. Some of them live only for a few years or months. So what is the reason for such a short life span?
There are many reasons for this short lifespan of dogs but there is no one specific factor that can be attributed to it. The factors include genetics, gender, breeding, exercise and nutrition and environmental conditions like temperature or pollution.
There are many things you can do to help your dog live longer.
The first thing you need to do is take your dog for regular vet visits. This will allow the vet to check for any health problems early on, before they become serious issues.
Secondly, make sure that you have a good diet for your dog and give them plenty of exercise each day. This will help keep their weight under control and make sure they don’t get sick easily.
And finally, make sure that your pup is getting enough sleep each night by giving them a comfortable bed and making sure they’re not left alone in the house all day long with nothing but boredom for company!
Top 20 Dogs With the Shortest Lifespan
1) French Mastiff
The French Mastiff is a large dog with a short lifespan. The average lifespan for this breed is about 5-8 years, which is the shortest of all breeds.
The French Mastiff has been bred for centuries to be both an effective guardian and a family pet. This breed still retains many of the traits that it was originally bred to have, such as being territorial and protective of its territory, but it can also be gentle with children and other pets.
2) Great Dane
Great Danes are lovable, gentle giants. They are the tallest dog breed in the world and can weigh over 100 pounds.
The average lifespan of a Great Dane is 6-8 years. This is the shortest lifespan among all dog breeds. It’s not clear why they live such a short life, but it could be due to genetics or environmental factors like exercise and diet.
3) Bernese Mountain Dog
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large, strong dog that has a lifespan of 10-12 years. The average height of this breed ranges from 25 to 30 inches and they can weigh anywhere from 70 to 120 pounds.
The Bernese Mountain Dog’s coat is usually black with rust or mahogany markings on the head and legs. They have a double coat with a short, dense undercoat and long, straight guard hairs that are coarse in texture. Their eyes are usually brown or hazel in color, but can also be blue or parti-color (two different colors).
4) Neapolitan Mastiff
Neapolitan Mastiffs have a short lifespan. They live an average of 7 years in comparison to other breeds like the Labrador Retriever who lives an average of 11 years. The reasons for this are varied but include genetics, gender, exercise, nutrition and health care, environmental factors and appearance as well as temperament.
5) Irish Wolfhound
Irish Wolfhounds are one of the most popular breeds in the world, but they have a much shorter lifespan than other breeds.
This dog can be either male or female and has a lifespan of 7-10 years on average. The reason for this shorter lifespan compared to other breeds is because they are prone to health problems, such as hip dysplasia and bone cancer.
This breed does not require a lot of exercise, but should still be walked for at least 30 minutes per day or more if possible.
6) Leonberger
The average lifespan for a Leonberger is 6-8 years old. The longest living Leonberger ever recorded was 13 years old.
The reason for this disparity is due to genetics, gender, exercise, nutrition and health care, environmental factors and finally their appearance and temperament which all play a role in how long they live.
Leonbergers are generally healthy dogs but some issues that can arise include hip dysplasia and gastric torsion or bloat which can be fatal in some cases if not treated quickly enough.
7) Newfoundland
The lifespan of a Newfoundland can be as low as six years. The reasons for this are many and include genetics, gender, exercise, nutrition, health care and environment.
Newfoundlands have a large body frame which is why they need to be exercised often and in moderation to avoid obesity. They also need to eat a high-quality diet which includes protein-rich foods like chicken or fish.
Newfoundlands are also known for their temperament which can be stubborn at times but also loyal and friendly with their family members.
8) Saint Bernard
The Saint Bernard is a large-sized breed of dog originally from the Western Alps and Northern Italy. The Saint Bernard was developed by monks in the Swiss Alps to help them search for lost travelers in snowstorms, rescue them, and carry them over long distances back to the monastery.
Saint Bernards are known as “the world’s heaviest dog,” but are not ranked among the tallest breeds. Males typically weigh about 110 pounds (50 kilograms), while females usually weigh about 90 pounds (40 kg).
Saint Bernards typically live for six to eight years, which is shorter than most other breeds of dogs.
9) Scottish Deerhound
Scottish Deerhound is a breed of dog that was originally bred to hunt deer. They are also called Highland Deerhound.
This breed of dog is the longest and tallest amongst all the breeds of dogs in the world. They are also one of the oldest breeds that are still in existence today. The Scottish Deerhound has a life span of 8-12 years on average, which is shorter than most breeds out there.
The genetics for this breed have been heavily studied and it has been found that females are more likely to be born with a longer lifespan than males, which is common for many other breeds as well.
Deerhounds need a lot of exercise and they should be walked at least once every day or they will get bored, which leads to destructive behavior like chewing on furniture
10) Bloodhound
Bloodhounds are gentle, friendly and loyal dogs. They are very patient. The average lifespan of a bloodhound is about 8-10 years. Bloodhounds live the shortest lifespan among all dog breeds. This is because they have a genetic condition known as hemophilia B which causes them to bleed easily from cuts and wounds.
It also makes them more susceptible to cancerous tumors, joint problems, and other diseases that shorten their lives.
11) Rottweiler
The Rottweiler is a medium-sized, sturdy dog with a broad head, muscular neck and a large, square muzzle. It has a black nose and dark eyes. The ears are triangular and stand up straight.
Rottweilers are typically bred for guarding livestock but have been used in police work as well. They are known for their intelligence, endurance, strength, courage and loyalty to their owners. They also rank high on the list of most intelligent breeds of dogs in the world.
It is one of the oldest breeds in the world, with an average lifespan of 8 years.
12) Boxer
Boxers are a breed of dog that have one of the shortest lifespans. They live an average of 8 years.
The boxer’s lifespan is shorter than most breeds because it has been bred to be a working dog. This means that they are more prone to injury than other breeds and their body is less able to recover from these injuries.
Boxers also have a higher risk for developing cancer, heart disease, and diabetes than other breeds.
13) French Bulldog
A French Bulldog is a small, compact dog with a short nose and bat ears. They are the smallest of the toy breeds. They are often called “clowns in pajamas” or “Frenchies”.
The French Bulldog’s life span is 8-12 years. This is the shortest lifespan of any breed of dog. The French Bulldog has a genetic predisposition to health problems such as skin allergies, eye problems, and joint issues that can be exacerbated by improper nutrition and exercise.
The average weight for a male French Bulldog is 18-22 pounds while females weigh 16-18 pounds.
14) Golden Retriever
Golden retrievers are known for their friendly, loving and gentle temperament. They are a family-oriented breed that thrives on human companionship.
Golden retrievers are generally healthy dogs, but they do have some health problems that you should be aware of before you adopt one.
The average lifespan of a golden retriever is 10 to 12 years.
15) Bullmastiff
Bullmastiff is a breed of dog that has the shortest lifespan in the world. This is due to many factors including genetics, gender, exercise, nutrition and health care. The environmental and appearance of the Bullmastiff also play a role in their lifespan. Temperament can also affect their lifespan.
The Bullmastiff’s average lifespan is 7 years and 10 months old.
16) Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a large, robust dog with a distinctive appearance. The breed was originally developed in the Swiss Alps as a general-purpose farm dog able to work all day.
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog has an average lifespan of about 6 to 7 years. This is one of the shortest lifespans among breeds of its size.
Genetics, gender, exercise, and nutrition are all factors that can affect lifespan in dogs.
17) Chinese Shar-Pei
The Chinese Shar-Pei is a dog breed that has the shortest lifespan. This is because of their genetics, gender, exercise, nutrition and health care.
The average lifespan for a Chinese Shar-Pei is 8 years old. The longest living Shar-Pei was 14 years old with the shortest being 4 years old.
Chinese Shar-Peis are prone to skin problems and eye conditions because of their genetics and environmental factors. They are also more likely to develop certain types of cancers than other breeds because of their gender and health care practices.
18) German Shepherd
German Shepherds are one of the most popular breeds of dogs. They are the second most popular breed in America, and the third in UK. German Shepherds have a lifespan of 10-12 years, but this is shorter than other breeds (e.g., Labrador Retrievers).
The average weight for a male German Shepherd is 45-65 pounds and for a female it is 35-55 pounds. The height for males ranges from 20-24 inches and females range from 18-22 inches.
19) Kuvasz
The Kuvasz is a Hungarian sheepdog that has the shortest lifespan of all dog breeds. The average lifespan for this dog is 7-8 years.
The Kuvasz is an active and intelligent dog, which needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to keep them happy. They need to be taken on walks and given tasks to complete so they do not get bored.
They are very protective animals, which makes them excellent guard dogs. They are also very loyal animals that can make excellent companions for the right person or family.
20) Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are among the most popular pets in the US. They are bred to have a sweet temperament and look like little lap dogs.
The average lifespan of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is just 8 to 10 years, which is the shortest among all breeds of dog. Their genetics, gender, exercise, nutrition and health care can all affect their lifespan.
