Healthiest Dog Breeds and Breed Health Problems

Healthiest Dog Breeds: Which Live Longest?

No study ranks breeds by total illness, so researchers usually compare lifespan. These figures come from large UK studies, so US dogs may differ a little.^1,16,4

Other UK studies agree on many of the same names. A 2022 life-table study put the Jack Russell Terrier (12.7 years), Yorkshire Terrier, Border Collie and Springer Spaniel at the top.¹⁶ A 2013 study of English vet practices found the Miniature Poodle, Bearded Collie, Border Collie and Miniature Dachshund lived longest.⁴ Depending on the study and how it's measured, the typical dog lives about 11 to 13 years.^1,4,16

Long-lived isn't the same as problem-free

The Miniature Dachshund is a good example. It's among the longest-lived breeds, yet about 1 in 4 Dachshunds develops some degree of back disease, about 10 to 12 times the rate in dogs overall.^1,5 See IVDD in dogs.

Breeds With Shorter Lifespans

Heavier and giant breeds such as the Dogue de Bordeaux and Great Dane also died youngest in English practice data.⁴ In a 2022 UK life-table study, life expectancy at birth was lowest for the French Bulldog, English Bulldog, Pug and American Bulldog.¹⁶ That study gave the French Bulldog a life expectancy of just 4.5 years, but life expectancy from a life table isn't the same measure as the age most dogs reach. The 2024 study's median of 9.8 years is a better guide to how long a typical Frenchie lives.^16,1 Medium-sized flat-faced males had a median of just 9.1 years.¹⁷

Are Mixed Breeds Healthier?

Often, but not always, and the evidence is mixed:

• Lifespan: in English vet practice data from 2013, crossbreds lived 1.2 years longer than purebreds after other factors were taken into account.⁴ In a 2022 UK study, crossbreds' life expectancy at birth (11.8 years) was above the figure for all dogs (11.2 years).¹⁶ But the 2024 UK study found a slightly higher median for purebreds (12.7 years) than crossbreds (12.0 years).¹⁷ The studies used different dogs and different measures.
• Inherited disease: in a US hospital study, purebreds had more of 10 genetic disorders, including heart disease such as aortic stenosis and dilated cardiomyopathy, elbow dysplasia, disc disease, epilepsy, allergic skin disease and bloat. Mixed breeds had more cruciate ligament tears. Hip dysplasia, kneecap problems, low thyroid and several cancers were about equally common.^12,13

Common Breed Health Problems

In the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study, cancer accounted for about 75% of recorded deaths so far, most often hemangiosarcoma and lymphoma.¹⁹ A French research group reports that about 20% of Bernese Mountain Dogs are affected by histiocytic sarcoma, an aggressive cancer, and Rottweilers and Flat-Coated Retrievers are also at risk.¹⁸ See hip dysplasia in dogs.

Flat-Faced (Brachycephalic) Breeds

Many people love flat-faced breeds, but UK researchers found that, overall, they're "generally less healthy" than breeds with longer noses. In one study of 22,333 dogs, they had higher odds of 8 of 30 common disorders and lower odds of 2.³ The authors of a French Bulldog study called for "a more moderate" body shape.¹¹

BOAS is "a progressive disorder that can impair a dog's ability to exercise, play, eat and sleep."⁹ Watch for:²⁰

• Snoring, snorting or noisy breathing
• Narrow, pinched nostrils
• Struggling in heat or after short exercise
• Regurgitating food or stopping breathing in sleep
• Blue gums or collapse, which is an emergency

Noisy breathing is not "normal for the breed."^10,20 French Bulldogs with moderately to severely narrowed nostrils are about 20 times as likely to develop BOAS.²⁰ Look for a puppy whose parents have open nostrils and a good grade in a breathing test (see below).⁸

Health Testing: What to Ask the Breeder

• Hips and elbows: OFA gives final certification at 24 months or older. Normal results are posted publicly, so you can look them up.²¹
• Breed-specific panels: each breed club sets a list of recommended tests. A CHIC number shows the tests were done and made public, but it doesn't mean the results were normal, so read them.²²
• Breathing grade for flat-faced breeds: the Respiratory Function Grading Scheme, developed in the UK, is now offered in North America through OFA. Dogs are graded from 12 months old after a three-minute brisk walk. Grades 0 and I are the best.^8,9
• DNA tests for the conditions the breed club lists.^7,6

Hip dysplasia can't be reliably screened in young puppies, so look up the parents' and grandparents' results instead.⁶ Registration papers are not a health guarantee.¹⁰

How to Choose a Healthy Puppy

• Meet at least one parent, preferably both, and see the puppy with its mother where it was born.^6,10
• Check the puppy: clear eyes, no cough, not thin with visible ribs, and walking normally.¹⁰
• Age: puppies should go home at 8 to 12 weeks old, never younger than 8 weeks.^7,10
• Avoid very short, flat faces in either parent.¹⁰
• Be wary of bargains and of puppies that are always available. Good breeders often have waiting lists and will ask you questions too.^6,7
• Ask about vaccines and vet checks, and have a vet check the puppy.^7,10 See our dog vaccination schedule and dog microchips.

The AVMA discourages breeding dogs with harmful features that "often require surgical correction or life-long medical or behavioral management."²³ Breeds with more health problems also cost more to insure.²⁴ See is pet insurance worth it? If allergies are a concern, note that no breed is truly hypoallergenic.²⁵ See allergy to dogs in people. For later life, see senior dog health.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the healthiest dog breeds?

Judged by lifespan, small breeds with normal-length noses do best. In a large UK study, the Lancashire Heeler, Tibetan Spaniel and Miniature Dachshund lived longest. Jack Russell Terriers, Border Collies and Miniature Poodles also rank highly in other studies.

Which dog breeds have the fewest health problems?

No study ranks breeds by total illness. Long-lived breeds and mixed breeds tend to do well, and breeds with low insurance premiums, such as the Border Collie, Maltese and Papillon, are a rough guide. Health-tested parents matter as much as breed.

What dog breed lives the longest?

In a UK study of more than 584,000 dogs, the Lancashire Heeler had the longest median lifespan at 15.4 years, followed by the Tibetan Spaniel at 15.2 years. The typical dog lives about 11 to 13 years.

Are mixed breed dogs healthier than purebreds?

Often, but not always. Mixed breeds had fewer of several inherited disorders and lived longer in some studies, but not in all of them.

What breeds do vets not recommend?

Vets don't ban breeds, but veterinary groups discourage breeding dogs with harmful features. Flat-faced breeds such as French Bulldogs, Pugs and Bulldogs have the most documented problems, so if you choose one, look for open nostrils and parents with a good breathing grade.

What are the signs of a healthy puppy?

Clear eyes, no cough or runny nose, a good body weight without visible ribs, normal walking and quiet breathing at rest and after play. Meet the mother and ask for the parents' health test results.