The last few years have seen many of us welcome a new four-legged friend into our homes, as the Kennel Club has dog ownership rise to record levels.
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 over 11 years. But there's a fairly substantial gap between the breeds that live the longest and shortest lives.
New 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 between January 1, 2016, and July 31, 2020, to come to their findings.
Here’s what they found.
For all the latest dog news, pictures, advice and information, join our Scotsdog Facebook group here
Read more
One of the terrible truths of dog ownership is that we are likely to outlive our adored pet, with the average dog living just over 11 years. But there's a fairly substantial gap between the breeds that live the longest and shortest lives.
![Originally bred to be a gun dogs, Cocker Spaniels are now more commonly used as family pets and live to an average age of 11.31 years.](https://www.fifetoday.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmIzMzFjODYyLWVkY2EtNDA0OS1iZmFhLTJiMjA2NTgzMWVhODo1YzNmOGQ3NS01MzkwLTRjOWItOGM3YS1jYThlYTRmNDRkNDE=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
5. Cocker Spaniel
Originally bred to be a gun dogs, Cocker Spaniels are now more commonly used as family pets and live to an average age of 11.31 years.Photo: Canva/Getty Images
![One of the most useful working dog breeds, popular with the army and police forces, the German Shepherd lives for an average of 10.16 years.](https://www.fifetoday.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmVkMWUwZGRlLTVhNmMtNDc0Ny05YjAxLWZmYjQ3M2M0OTVhZjplYjg3ZWUxMi0xNmY0LTQ3MjgtYjNlNS02N2I4ZWQxYzMyNDM=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
6. German Shepherd
One of the most useful working dog breeds, popular with the army and police forces, the German Shepherd lives for an average of 10.16 years.Photo: Canva/Getty Images
![Originating in Tibet, the Shih Tzu is a popular companion dog that researchers found will live to an average of 11.05 years.](https://www.fifetoday.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjFmNTA1MzZmLWI2MjEtNDJkMC05YTY3LWY2OGQwMTVhNjJmNzo1OGY5OGExZC0zNTZhLTQ5NmMtOTljMy05YTA3ZWNlY2ZlMjI=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
7. Shih Tzu
Originating in Tibet, the Shih Tzu is a popular companion dog that researchers found will live to an average of 11.05 years.Photo: Canva/Getty Images
![The Border Collie is the world's most intelligent dog breed and also one of the most long lived - with an expected life of 12.10 years.](https://www.fifetoday.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjQxNWEyZDhjLTYwYmQtNDUwYS1hNWZkLTdjYWM5ZmYyNmY5MzpjM2FlZDMwMC1kMmM3LTRmNWEtYTI5OS1jMzAzMjM1ZGRmMDM=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
8. Border Collie
The Border Collie is the world's most intelligent dog breed and also one of the most long lived - with an expected life of 12.10 years.Photo: Canva/Getty Images