The old saying "man's best friend" is a bittersweet statement. Sadly, the human companion will outlive their canine counterpart for decades, even though some dogs live longer than others. Surviving your furry friend may be the most challenging part of your time with them.
Although the idea of having the oldest dog ever as a pet has more to do with the quality of life rather than quantity, in this article, we'll explore some of the world's oldest dog breeds. We'll also examine the oldest dog to have ever lived and what helped her live that long.
What is the oldest dog that ever lived?
On average most dogs live anywhere from about 10-16 years of age. There are some exceptions where the dog's life is shorter or longer. The oldest dog ever lived for a whopping 30 years!
There are two well-known stories of long-living pups, and both of them were Australian farm dogs!
How old is the oldest dog that ever lived?
An Australian Kelpie named Maggie was the worlds oldest dog, who lived until 30. Her life on a dairy farm was full of good health and daily exercise, and she kept an active lifestyle right to the end. Eventually, she passed away peacefully while sleeping.
Sadly, Maggie's age cannot be recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records because there are no official records of her birth. It means that another dog has the official title of the oldest dog that ever lived.
Bluey, an Australian Cattle Dog, has the greatest reliable age recorded and is the current world record holder for being the world's oldest dog to have lived. Also, a farm dog, Bluey, lived from 1910 to 1939, dying at the age of 29 years and five months.
Even though Maggie may have been the oldest dog ever to live, Bluey holds the title of the world's oldest dog.
The fountain of youth for a long-living Fido
We've all heard the saying "in dog years." The general rule of thumb for this saying is that a dog will age seven years for one year of a human's life. Although this is not technically accurate, humans live a lot longer than their furry friends; even the healthiest dog breeds.
However, if you care for your four-legged buddy, there are some ways to maximize its lifespan.
- Exercise - An average amount of activity typically needed by a dog is anywhere between 20 and 30 minutes. This could be a 2km to 5km daily walk.
Being a farm dog, Maggie could have had around 9km of exercise (and that's just following the tractor around.) Working dogs tend to get more exercise than other dogs, which could be part of the reason why they tend to live longer!
- Food - Maggie's life on the farm means that she had a diet that consisted of fresh whole foods. A balanced, complete diet is essential for good health. As more people realize this, raw diets are becoming more popular than factory kibble.
- Proper care - Taking care of your dog's physical and mental health is crucial. It involves regular check-ups by your vet and also plays, grooming, and plenty of affection. Get a bed ramp for dogs to make sure they can always hop up for cuddles.
8 Of the oldest living dog breeds
Many dogs outlive the average dog lifespan, while others don't even make it to the average minimum age. Some breeds are more likely to live longer. Here's a list of the longest living dog breeds in the world:
#1. Maltese - Average lifespan: 15 years
An intelligent, loving dog with a ton of energy, the Maltese is playful, fun to be around, and easy to train. This dog can do tricks to entertain and makes a friendly, fluffy little companion. Females of this breed will live longer than males with very few diseases.
#2. Beagle - Average lifespan: 17 years
One of the oldest dogs was a Beagle named Butch, who lived until the age of 27. Beagles are gentle dogs and make great family pets, especially around small children. A natural hunter, the Beagle, will require mental stimulation with specialized games.
#3. Australian Shepherd - Average lifespan: 15 years
A natural herding dog like the Australian Cattle Dog, the Australian Shepherd, was born to run. A loyal and intelligent breed, this dog is excellent around children. If there are no sheep around, this breed will even herd children!
#4. Lhasa Apso - Average lifespan: 15 years
Once employed by Buddhist monks to guard the monasteries in Tibet, these dogs now enjoy a much different way of living. Whether they are loyal family members or groomed as show dogs, these dogs will give you many years of faithful love.
#5. Cockapoo - Average lifespan: 16 years
The Cockapoo is a hybrid breed that is a mix of Cocker Spaniel and Poodle. It is outgoing, loving, and full of fun. You're bound to enjoy spending time with this dog during its long life of up to 16 years. Cockapoos are so attentive; they're widely recognized as excellent therapy dogs!
#6. Jack Russell Terrier - Average lifespan: 16 years
The Jack Russell Terrier is a high-octane dog that requires a high-octane lifestyle. These dogs are hard to stop, which could be why they live so long. Once a proud fox hunter, this pup can be tricky to train for family life, but once they are, they'll love you for life; a long one!
#7. Toy Poodle - Average lifespan: 15 years
Poodles generally have a long life, but these tiny tikes live the longest in the poodle family. Cuteness galore, the Toy Poodle has character and charm and a ton of fluffy love to give. They also don't shed, which is excellent for those with allergies.
#8. Chihuahua - Average lifespan: 18 years
Like the Australian Cattle Dog, this breed is one of the longest living breeds in history. A super-smart dog with a ton of loyalty, the Chihuahua is also a pretty curious little creature with energy to burn. Their feisty nature may be the reason they have such a long life.
The secret to a long-living dog is:
Well, there is no secret formula for how long your four-legged furry friend will live. Some breeds (like the Australian Cattle Dog) are genetically more likely to live longer than others, but this can also vary within the breed.
If you love your dog, care for it, feed it well and make sure it gets proper exercise, you'll give it a good quality of life and maybe even add some years to your time together. After all, you'll want to have the most time possible with your best friend.
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