Study Confirms Smaller Dog Breeds Live Longer

A new study of more than 3,000 dogs says that smaller breeds do indeed live longer than larger dog breeds, with mixed breeds living a year longer than purebreds.

A University polled members of several kennel clubs, which represents more than 3,000 dogs. Shetland Sheepdogs, Poodles, and Dachshunds were found to live the longest, usually for more than 12 years, while Bernese Mountain Dogs, Molossian-type dogs, including Rottweilers and Irish Wolfhounds, lived the shortest amount of time.

Sixty percent of the dogs had at least one disease event during their lifetime, with a median of two and a maximum of 11, according to the study of Preventive Veterinary Medicine.

Diseases of the skin were the most frequent, followed by eye diseases, accidents, and diseases of the ear.

Researchers found that the prevalence of diseases of the skin, eyes, ear, respiratory, and skeletal systems differed significantly among dog breeds and genders.

"Males had a significantly higher prevalence of respiratory diseases, skeletal diseases, and diseases of the mouth and teeth. Tumors and diseases of the urinary system were most prevalent in females," according to the study.