
Top 10 Breeds With Shortest Life Span
As a dog lover myself it’s very sad to know that some of the most adorable dog breeds can have such short life spans. A lot can be done to improve their life spans like Giving them food which is good for their health. Taking them out for walks and providing them with all the essentials.
It is very common for little kids to get attached to their pups, not knowing about their health issues or their life spans. So it is the responsibility of the parents to check all these things before bringing home any breed of dog.
It mostly depends on their genetics and their health, but the best we can do is to enjoy with them and take care of them as much as we can.
What Health Problems Can Cause a Shorter Life?
Dogs have a much faster rate of metabolism than humans. It might look like big dogs have bigger lives too but no, it is reversed in dogs. This is one of the reasons that they have much shorter life spans. There are a lot of dog breeds that have health issues like cancer and heart conditions.
Dogs like bulldogs, great Dane bullmastiffs, and many other breeds are included in this list. Bone cancer is also one of the main reasons why these dogs have much shorter life spans.
What Breeds Have Shorter Life Spans
1. French Mastiff (5-8 years)

Starting the list by the French Mastiff, this dog breed has a maximum life span of 5 to 8 years. Their lifespan can be influenced by their diet and care. If we take a lot at their history, these dogs were first introduced in the year 1863. It was used for hunting at that time and was a favorite of the butchers.
Health issues are fundamental when it comes to the lifespan of these pups. A big dog does not mean it will have a big life. When it comes to the health issues of this dog breed requires proper care and exercise. The French Mastiff can suffer from health problems like
- Joint problems
- Hip problems
- Hip dysplasia
- Heart diseases
The French Mastiff can be among the dog breeds with the strongest-looking muscles but when it comes to their nature they are very calm and gentle. French mastiffs are very athletic and they make amazing family dogs. One thing you can immediately notice about these dogs is the adorable wrinkles on their faces and body.
2. Irish Wolfhound (6-8 years)

The Irish wolfhound has a lifespan of six to eight years. It is among the tallest dog breeds in the world. This dog breed was developed in the 19th century. Its history is not that old, it is a modern breed of dog. 1000 years ago these dogs were used by monks for hunting wolves, which is the reason behind the name Irish wolfhound.
These dogs face many diseases but the one which is most talked about is bloat. They have a deep chest which is why they suffer from this disease. The Irish wolfhound is large which is why it faces a lot of joint-related issues. They are generally very healthy dogs when they also suffer from many health issues like
- Bloat
- Cardiomyopathy
- Certain cancers
- Rear-end weakness
The Irish wolfhounds are very friendly and loving. Their nature is very easygoing, and quiet, and can be good with kids. They are not that aggressive which is why they are not suitable for being a watchdog or a guard dog. Taking good care of them can influence their lifespan and their overall health a lot.
3. Tibetan Mastiff (6-10 years)

The Tibetan Mastiff has a lifespan of 6 to 10 years. Its lifespan depends a lot on its genetics. It is definitely among the cute and fluffy dog breeds. As you can guess from its big size and coat this dog breed has a history of being in the mountains and the Himalayas. It is primarily a Chinese dog breed and goes back to the 12th century.
If you are very well connected with your dog you will be concerned for its health. A very common disease is thymorid disease which has already affected at least 30% of all Tibetan mastiffs. It can also suffer from
- Orthopedic diseases
- Epilepsy and heart diseases
- Luxating patella
- Thyroid disease
The nature of this dog breed is not that much friendly to strangers, but once you get to know them a little they can be very loving and playful. They usually have a very serious, calm, and gentle personality. Adult Tibetan mastiffs require a lot of training and exercise. Tibetan mastiffs can be good guard dogs.
4. Bullmastiff (7-9 years)

The 19th-century bullmastiff has a strong build and a short muzzle. It was first introduced as a guard dog. From being a good therapy dog to protecting country estates, the bullmastiff’s history is quite interesting. It is a cross between the bulldog and the mastiff and that is where it gets its name.
A lot of health problems of this dog are inherited. Their body types are mostly lean so the owners have to be very careful in terms of their diet and exercise. They can suffer from heart problems and also joint problems. some common health issues are
- Cancer
- Bone and ligament issues
- Skin problems
- Heart problems
- Allergies
Bullmastiffs are strong and muscular and that’s why many people think that they are among the most dangerous dog breeds. But their nature is very calm and loving, they are a very cool and collected dog breed. These dogs are naturally alert and can be good guard dogs. Bulllmastif’s calm nature also makes it a good therapy dog.
5. Bernese Mountain Dog (7-10 years)

This Swiss dog breed also has a short lifespan of about seven to ten years. According to its history, it was used as a working dog by the Romans. Their life span can also be six to eight years. The average life expectancy can be 7.1 years. It originated in Switzerland in the mountains in the year 1937.
This adorable dog breed can suffer from a health issue that many large dogs have to face. The disease is like hip dysplasia. They can also suffer from heart diseases and eye diseases but it is mostly genetics. Some of the common problems this dog breed has to face are
- Skin problems
- Eye problem
- Cancer
- Bloat
- Joint and bone problems
This mountain dog is very friendly and is always eager to please its owner, even with strangers sometimes. Because of their alert nature and the habit of excessive barking, they can be good watchdogs. These adorable pets are naturally double-coated dog breeds. Training them is not that difficult and you will surely enjoy it.
6. Great Dane (7-10 years)

This dog breed is tall powerful and gentle, they are very social and patient. They originated from Germany and are 400 years old. The development of the Great Dane was done in the year 1876. These majestic dogs also have a history of hunting and being used as guard dogs.
This large dog breed needs a well-balanced diet and exercise to stay healthy. The Great Dane can suffer from gastric torsion, which can also lead to its death sometimes. Hip dysplasia is also a health issue for this dog breed just like all other tall dogs. The most common health issues are
- Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy
- Bone diseases
- Tricuspid
- Gastric torsion
- Hip dysplasia
The overall nature of this dog breed is very social and friendly. Because of their size and overall characteristics, a lot of people think that they are among the most dangerous dog breeds but they are very intelligent dogs. They can be very stubborn sometimes. They can dig holes in your backyard and make a lot of mess sometimes.
7. Bulldog (8-10 years)

The bulldog is a medium-sized dog and was developed centuries ago. In the beginning, it was mostly used to fight bulls. This dog breed is very gentle and reliable. Originating from England the bulldog is one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. Their history can be traced back to the 5th century.
This adorable dog breed has to face a lot of health issues. Heart problems and breathing problems are among the most common problems this dog has. ThTherinkles on its face also led to many skin issues for this dog breed. Some common diseases are
- Brachycephaly
- Heart problems
- Hip dysplasia
- Skin problems
- Breathing problems
The general nature of this dog breed is very protective and loving. It gets attached to its owner and if trained well can be a good guard dog. It is also listed in the low-maintenance dog breeds because some don’t require that much care. Its fierce loyalty is one of the main reasons why so many dog owners choose this dog breed.
8. Saint Bernard (10-13 years)

This large dog breed is the second mountain dog in this list. Its name is found in history as the working dog in Switzerland. This adorable loyal companion was used and is still being used as a rescue dog in many countries around the world.
The history of this dog breed goes back to the 17th century. It was starting to go in the list of dog breeds that time forgot but is coming back to people’s homes as more people are reading about it.
It is a fact that most dog lovers know that large dog breeds have shorter life spans as compared to small ones. Because of their large size, they face many health issues like hip issues and joint problems. It also has an increased risk of developing skin issues and cardiac issues. The Saint Bernard suffers from
- Hip dysplasia
- Entropion
- Wobbler syndrome
- Elbow dysplasia
- Bloat
This powerful and muscular is very family-friendly. Male Saint Bernards can dominant sometimes in the start but they get along well with proper training and care. It is a rescue dog so you can expect it to be very protective with its owners. Its general nature isn’t that aggressive as compared to other large dogs.
9. Newfoundland (9-10 years)

Also known in many countries as “the gentle giant” this dog breed is mostly popular because of its large size and its beautiful black coat. This intelligent dog breed even has some medals on its collar because it was used in World War 2. This amazing swimmer can also turn out to be a loyal companion as it is written in its history.
Most of the health issues that this dog breed faces are in its genetics and the owners can’t do much about it. The Newfoundland has joint issues because of its large bone size. Some Newfoundlanders can also suffer from heart diseases. Enlargement of the heart valves can be painful. Some common health issues are
- Megaesophagus
- Subaortic stenosis
- Bloat
- Hip dysplasia
- Elbow dysplasia
- Ectropion
These family-friendly companions have a sweet personality and love being around kids because of their sweet nature. It might look a bit scary but is one of the friendliest dog breeds that love people.
This dog breed is widely known because of its hard work and large size. Yes, they can be a bit high maintenance because of their size but they are very loyal, protective, and loving.
10. Rottweiler (8-10 years)

This dog breed was used as a working dog by the Germans. Its history is quite interesting. The Rottweiler got its name from the old town called Rottweil. Rottweiler has a history of being a good police dog. It is very popular in the US, UK and Canada.
Rottweilers face many health issues like all other large dogs face hip dysplasia and joint problems. Normally they have a short lifespan but some can live up to 13 years. This dog breed is also prone to elbow dysplasia. Some common health problems are
- Aortic stenosis
- Hip dysplasia
- Joint issues
- Elbow dysplasia
- Several skin conditions
Rottweilers have a very protective nature. Male Rottweilers are very intelligent, confident, and among the most muscular dog breeds. If you train your rottweiler from a young age it can turn out to be very family-friendly. Well-socialized rottweilers are good with strangers and also good with other pets as well.
FAQs
How long do dog breeds normally live?
Dogs with different sizes have different lifespans. The dogs which are smaller in size tend to have larger life spans. Normally 14-16 years. The dog breeds which are medium in size normally live 10-12 years. Large-sized dogs live 7-10 years.
What are the most common dog health issues?
- Skin issues
- Internal parasites
- Ear infections
- Stomach problems
- Hip dysplasia
Conclusion
It is every dog owner’s wish that his dog lives a long and healthy life. Some dogs are genetically gifted with a long lifespan and some are not. With proper care, diet exercise, and lots of love and attention you can increase your dog’s lifespan. because In the end, all you will remember are the happy moments spent with your pup