What is the Healthiest and Longest lived dog breed?

[FoxyWench]

a well bred chihuhaua actually has a long and healthy life my grandfather had a 22 year old 2.5 lb chi female, i thought she was just gonna keep going and going, we used to joke that she was the energizer bunny in disguise. she was from one of his very first litters, and after her inital 6 months (hypoglycemia) she was extreemly healthy, never even had luxating patellas. a well bred chi should be a healthy dog as an adult. at aroudn20 though she did lose most of her teeth...(no teeth made the tounge stick out, she was tooo cute!)

 

[derekparker]

We have had wirehaired fox terriers for fifty years - apart from one who died of a surfeit of stilton cheese, which she stole, they have all lived into their teens - two of them to eighteen. Our present one, Toorak, has just becomes a faither for the first time at the age of fourteen, and is now living with his four-month-old daughter, which is giving him plenty to think about. This breed seems to have no 'built-in' susceptibility to any particular illness, and is very active into old age - our last one was belting around the garden at fukll speed and suddenly dropped dead of a heart attack, at 17. Highly recommended!

 

[Gempress]

My father-in-law had a rat terrier that lived to the ripe old age of 22. Generally, smaller breeds tend to have longer lifespans.

 

[RD]

I know a 19 year old Jack Russell that's still going strong. Active as can be, minimal problems with arthritis, NO other health problems and the dog has eaten canned Pedigree for its entire life.

 

[bubbatd]

I guess I was lucky to have 2 of my Goldens live to be over 15. With Chip turning 10 in December , age is starting to worry me. He's in great shape, but with a heart condition he could drop dead at any moment. I don't limit him and just love him every minute he's with Grammy. Having not been without a Golden for 50 years...it will be rough on me !! I'm glad I have family here who will understand my bawling !

 

[Dobiegurl]

My grandma's terrier mix lived until he was 19 years old. She recently but Sam down because he was in alot of pain.

Although little dogs do tend to live longer, a dog's lifespan has to do alot with the owner's care for it. If a Great Dane lives a happy stress free life and had all its proper necesities, I'm sure it will live longer than an abused, mistreated, neglected Chi. Just like humans, dogs can eventually die from depression or not feeling wanted.

 

[motherofmany]

I've heard nothing but good things about the health and longevity of the American Indian dog. Has 100% to do with the breeding practices, imo.

 

[BlackDog]

cocker spaniel? Why? Good lord!