Dog Breeds with the Shortest Life Expectancy

Dogs are one of the best animals to be kept as pets. They are easy to train and fun to play with as well. But before choosing what breed to take home as a pet, there are many things to consider such as their temperament, the kind and amount of food they eat, how much exercise they require, and as well as if they will be good around children and other pets. Aside from those, another thing that you should look into is how long your chosen dog will live.

Large dog breeds are known to have a shorter lifespan than smaller breeds. It’s because the adult life of large dogs goes at a faster pace compared to small ones. Also, large dogs are more prone to many health problems. To know more about their lifespan, here are the dog breeds with the shortest life expectancy.

1. Kuvasz

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This breed is originally from Hungary and was primarily bred to be a royal guard dog and a dog used on farms to herd and protect livestock. In the present time, it is one of the common breeds of pet dogs. They have a life expectancy of 9 to 12 years and they will spend those years being an attentive, affectionate, and intelligent pet.

The Kuvasz breed does not have a lot of health problems like other low-life expectancy breeds but they are known for having developmental bone problems that usually leads to bone and joint disorders.

2. Great Dane

This dog breed is known to be powerful and elegant. They are easy to train as well but can be stubborn at times. If you have children at home, they can be great pets because they are playful and good with kids. However, they can be aggressive with other animals. This is a large dog breed, therefore, you need to feed them a bit more and give them plenty of space. They are great pets but Great Danes only have about 8.5 years of lifespan.

3. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

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This dog breed is big and robust and it needs a fair amount of exercise. They are athletic but are also steady and calm. They are the kind of dogs that can easily pull a cart or sled and they are also good guardians of your home. They can remain as a playful puppy for 2 to 3 years, however, Greater Swiss Mountain dogs only have about 8 years to live.

4. Chow Chow

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This is one of the cutest dog breeds and a lot of dog lovers wants them as a pet because of its fluffy fur. Chow Chows also have a unique bluish-colored tongue. However, they are known to suffer from certain ailments such as cataracts and hip and elbow dysplasia. This might also be the reason why this dog breed only has a life expectancy of about 8 years.

5. Mastiff

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This dog breed is among the larger domesticated dog breeds, however, they only live for about 8 years which is shorter compared to its relative which is the Bullmastiff. According to experts, Mastiff’s 220 plus pound frame is one of the reasons why it has a relatively short lifespan.

6. English Bulldog

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This dog is actually a breed of scent-hound, but in the present time, they are more of pet-oriented breeds. They are friendly making them wonderful family pets. However, they do not have long lives compared to other medium sized dogs because of some health issues inherent in the breed. They only have a lifespan of about 8 years, but if they are in top health and well taken care of, they can live up to 10 years.

7. Curly-Coated Retriever

 

 

This breed is also simply known as Curly. They can be easily recognized because of their tight curls all over the body. They are originally bred as a sports dog and a hunting companion. But they are also affectionate and laid back when you keep them as pets at home. They are also extremely intelligent and looking into learning many tricks. They are very loyal, however, they only live for about 8 years because they often have health problems such as cancer and cardiac issues.

8. Irish Wolfhound

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This dog breed is usually used in wars to drag men off their horses and chariots. They are also good when it comes to hunting. But today, they are more of a family companion. Irish Wolfhounds are gentle dogs who are always calm and they look silly when they become playful. They are also friendly around strangers. However, they only have an average life expectancy of 6 to 10 years.

9. Bernese Mountain Dog

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This dog breed likes to be in cold places like the Alpine mountains compared to hot climates. They love to romp around in the snow and pull children along on a sled. It is an easy-going and calm, and sometimes shy as well. However, the Bernese Mountain Dog can only live about 6 to 8 years.

10. Dogue de Bordeaux

This dog breed is also known as the French Mastiff. They have a short life expectancy of only 5 to 8 years. But even when they only live for a few years, a lot of people still choose them as a pet because of their cuteness. They are also easy going and easy to take care of. Dog de Bordeaux are loyal and dedicated pets.

These are the dog breeds with the shortest life expectancy. Though these breeds only live for a few years, it’s certain that they will still give you a lot of fun and happy times that you will always remember.