Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Australian Cattle Dog
- Australian Shepherd
- Shih Tzu
- Basenji
- Bichon Frise
- Shiba Inu
- Beagle
- Belgian Malinois
- Manchester Terrier
- Dachshund
- Border Collie
- Chihuahua
- German Pinscher
- German Shorthaired Pointer
- Whippet
- Greyhound
- Havanese
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Pomeranian
- Poodle
- Pug
- Siberian Husky
- Conclusion
Introduction
Dogs are loyal companions, and every human should have the pleasure of spending time around them. Anyone who owns a dog wants their pet to stick around on this earth for as long as possible. There is no way to know how long a dog may live, but some breeds are considered healthier than others and may therefore have longer lifespans. If you are looking for a healthy dog that should stick around for many years to come, check out our list of 22 of the healthiest dog breeds.
Australian Cattle Dog
The Australian Cattle dog is a compact yet strong cattle dog that can live into their 20s. They are generally healthy dogs and are not susceptible to any serious health problems. They are related to the Dingo, which is a wild dog living in areas of Australia that are uninhabited by humans.
Australian Shepherd
The Australian Shepherd is an athletic dog that knows how to work hard on the ranch. These dogs have stamina and a muscular build that make it easy for them to stay active throughout the day, which is probably what contributes to their stellar health. They can live to the ripe age of about 15 years.
Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu is a dog breed with long, elegant manes that give them a luxurious look and feel. They are typically affectionate, love to spend time with kids, and can be a little mischievous at times. Their goofy personalities make them a joy to spend time with around the house. You can expect the average Shih Tzu to live up to 18 years.
Basenji
The Basenji is a dog breed that stands at only about 17 inches tall when fully grown, but they have big personalities that will give any large dog breed a run for their money. They tend to run and frolic more than they walk, but they are good listeners and can easily be trained to stick around while spending time free outdoors. Basenjis live well into their teens and are not known to develop health problems like diabetes and heart disease, thanks to their daily activity.
Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise is a dog breed that is well-loved among families because they have a striking white coat that happens to be hypoallergenic. These dogs can adapt to many different situations and household types, whether apartment or house. They are generally healthy and stable through old age, and they can live up to 20 years.
Shiba Inu
The Shiba Inu breed was brought to the United States sometime in the 1950s. They were bred for hunting, but they can do all sorts of things, like haul lumber and win on the agility course. These dogs are eager to please and will do anything to spend time with their human companions. Shih Tzus can live to be about 16 years old, and they can do so without facing any serious health problems.
Beagle
Beagles are small dogs that are entertaining, active, friendly, and inquisitive. They are sturdy and muscular, which is partly why they make such awesome rabbit hunters. Beagles are known for their outgoing personalities and their affection for kids and adults alike. They weigh in at under 20 pounds and stand at under 13 inches as an adult, and they can live to be up to 15 years old.
Belgian Malinois
The Belgian Malinois is a large, hardy breed that was designed for herding on the farm but has since become popular guard dogs. They even work in the United States military and police departments throughout the country. The Belgian Malinois has a coat of tan, fawn, or mahogany hair. They have a lifespan of about 14 years, which is impressive for their size.
Manchester Terrier
Manchester Terriers are human-centric sporting dogs that love to have fun but also yearn to cuddle up with family members at the end of a long day. Named after the city of Manchester in England, these dogs are sleek, fast, and graceful. They are sometimes used for racing, but their true talent is catching rats. This breed comes in both toy and standard varieties, both of which can live to the age of about 15 years old.
Dachshund
The Dachshund, also known as the wiener dog or hot dog, has short stubby legs and an elongated body that gives them a somewhat comical look. They do not seem to notice their small size because they are proud and courageous dogs that will take anything on to protect their family members. Weighing in at less than 10 pounds, these are the perfect lap dogs. They can live to be anywhere between 12 and 16 years.
Border Collie
The Border Collie is super affectionate and energetic, preferring to spend their time playing and exploring the outdoors rather than lounging around. This breed may be born with either a smooth or rough coat, both of which come in a variety of colors and interesting patterns. This breed has a lifespan of about 12 years.
Chihuahua
Chihuahuas are extremely affectionate to their human companions, but they are also known to be overly protective when strangers come around. These proud dogs love to prance around and show off their stubby paws. Behind the tough exterior lies a gentle soul that is affectionate, fun-loving, and as loyal as they come. The average Chihuahua lives to be up to 20 years old!
German Pinscher
The German Pinscher is one of the oldest dog breeds originating from Germany. They are always alert and never miss a beat. They are well-muscled with elongated heads and sleek, short coats. These dogs have an easy-going gait that shows confidence with every step. They are free-spirited, so training is always recommended. About 15 years is the average lifespan for this breed.
German Shorthaired Pointer
The German Shorthaired Pointer has a unique coat pattern that makes them look a little like the Dalmatian. These dogs enjoy being outdoors and have no shortage of energy. The breed is versatile and can do anything from work on a farm to hunt in the wild. These are large dogs that can weigh in at up to 70 pounds as adults. They usually live to be about 14 years of age.
Whippet
The Whippet is a sleek, loving dog that has a penchant for running and can hit speeds of up to 35 miles an hour, which makes them decent racers on the track. These dogs are chasers, whether after a ball or an animal that is considered prey. These are not the average family dogs that will sit around the house all day. They require plenty of outdoor time and exercise every day of the week. Most Whippets live to be about 15 years old if they are properly cared for.
Greyhound
The Greyhound is a large dog breed originally from Egypt but has become popular all around the world for their speed and agility. Greyhounds are the most often used breed on the racing track, yet racing is not the only thing that they are good at. Greyhounds are independent, even-tempered, and easy to train on the obedience and agility field. Greyhounds generally live for between 10 and 14 years.
Havanese
The Havanese dog is adaptable, cheerful, and curious. Their floppy ears and bright eyes give them an endearing look that is hard to ignore. They enjoy spending much of their time indoors and around human family members. This breed can easily adapt to apartment living if they get out to play and exercise daily. These dogs can live up to 14 years of age with a proper diet and exercise plan in place.
Miniature Schnauzer
The Miniature Schnauzer is a terrier breed that is often used to hunt vermin in homes and businesses. They have a muscular build that lends to their athleticism and ability to get around quickly yet gracefully. They have long beards that make them look old as adults, no matter what their age happens to be. The typical Miniature Schnauzer lives to be about 15 years old.
Pomeranian
Pomeranians are adorable little dogs that some loving owners tend to spoil too much. They love to bark, they are serious about protecting their family members, and they will never turn down an opportunity to play or cuddle, as long as they are spending time with loved ones. These dogs do not like the cold, so they should live indoors where temperatures are controlled. The average lifespan of a Pomeranian ranges between 12 and 16 years.
Poodle
The Poodle, originating from France, sports a thick, usually curly coat of hair that makes them look bigger than they really are. These dogs typically have coats of white, black, apricot, or tan hair, but some exceptions apply, depending on the dog’s lineage. Most owners get their Poodle’s hair cut a few times a year to keep it in check. About 14 years is the generally accepted lifespan expectancy of the Poodle.
Pug
The Pug may look lazy, but most are actually energetic and playful by nature. Many owners teach their Pugs to do things like ride skateboards! Pugs were once companions to Emperors in China, but today, they are found in households of all varieties throughout the world. They do best in moderate climates but can handle a bit of cold or heat if not exposed to it for too long. Pugs can live up to 15 years.
Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky is a powerful, intelligent, and easy-to-train dog breed. They love to run and work and could cause trouble if they get too bored throughout the day. Their pack mentality makes them easy to incorporate into working groups of dogs. The Siberian Husky has striking blue eyes that show their alertness. Most Siberians that exercise daily and eat right should live for about 14 years.
Conclusion
There are many healthy dog breeds that make great pets, hunting partners, and farm or ranch workers. However, just because a certain dog breed tends to be healthier than others does not mean there are any guarantees. Just as we humans, dogs must live a healthy and active lifestyle to enjoy a long, high-quality life. Are you considering adopting any of the breeds featured on this healthiest dogs list? If so, which one?
Bold: live healthier lives