Losing a pet can be a traumatic experience. Bringing a dog into your home is a lifelong promise you make to care and nurture that new member of the family. It's an emotional bond that you hope will last for years to come and these nine breeds have become popular not only for their charm and temperament but also for their lengthy life expectancies.
1. Australian Cattle Dog
The Australian Cattle Dog is an extremely intelligent and energetic breed that loves to work. These pups are ideal herding animals and whether they're working with cattle on the farm or playing with your children, this dog's natural instinct is to shepherd the whole group into one specific spot. Australian Cattle Dogs need plenty of physical and mental stimulation to keep them emotionally fulfilled and once the dog has found a home that can routinely provide all of these things in equal measure, the breed can typically live for as long as 14-16 years.
2. Beagle
Perhaps one of the most popular breeds of all time, the Beagle is also among the longest-living breeds at an average age expectancy of 12-15 years. As for bringing a Beagle into your home, these pups are loyal, friendly, and very curious. They are well-known for their strong sniffing ability and vocal temperaments. If your Beagle isn't curiously investigating the immediate surroundings by scent, he or she is likely barking and howling out loud for any number of possible reasons. Easy to socialize and gentle with kids, the Beagle is a wonderful dog to have in the home.
3. Chihuahua
This is one of those breeds that you recognize instantly on sight. You can even tell when a Chihuahua has been cross-bred with another breed no matter what it may be. That's because these dogs are unmistakable by their appearance as well as their attitude. This is a feisty, upbeat, and notoriously curious dog with a big heart in a little body. It's that diminutive stature that helps to contribute to the average lifespan of the breed at roughly 18 years. Despite their spry and energetic demeanor, Chihuahuas don't have any major requirements for activity and exercise beyond a nice walk around the block once a day. Chihuahuas are also one of the top small dog breeds people own.
4. Poodle
If you're looking for a dog breed that can fit into the specific needs of any size household, the Poodle is one of the most accommodating. That's because there are four sizes of this breed, each one with an average lifespan of around 12-15 years. There's the standard Poodle, the Toy Poodle, the Teacup Poodle, and the Giant Poodle, all of them generally smart and gentle dogs who just want to feel safe and be loved by the families who have chosen to bring them into their homes. What's most attractive about the breed is they are some of the easiest dogs to train no matter the size. The Poodle is a smart and thoughtful pup that will make your home warmer and more lively.
5. Lhasa Apso
This breed hails from Tibet where they were relied upon to be fearsome guard dogs of royalty. Today, those protective attributes remain a fundamental facet of their overall demeanor. But this is also a warm, friendly breed by nature, with an average life expectancy of around 12-14 years. However, homes with small children may not be the best environment for Lhasa Apsos, they are far more tolerant of older kids and teens. While they are automatically wary of anyone they haven't met yet, they quickly warm up to new people after getting to know them after a little bit of time.
6. Pomeranian
We love Pomeranians because they are tiny dogs with bold personalities. Sure they look like little puffballs with small legs and big eyes which makes them so much fun to be around. These are vocal pups who are ready to bark at anyone or anything they're not quite sure about, but in their quieter moments the breed is affectionate, easy-going, and amenable to training. That's something you're going need to do early on, especially where the barking is concerned. Break your Pomeranian of the barking habit before you get calls from the neighbors – and you likely will. Most Pomeranians live to 12 to 15 years.
7. Basenji
When it comes to barking, the Pomeranian and the Basenji remain on direct opposite sides of the spectrum. While most Poms will bark at a howling wind, the Basenji chooses to express itself through a series of yips and whimpers. It's not that a Basenji doesn't want to bark, they just have a very unique and distinctive one. These dogs can also be great with kids as long as they have plenty of socialization with children and other animals. This is a loyal, protective pup with an average lifespan of around 13 to 15 years.
8. Afghan Hound
This gorgeous breed is typified by it's long, smooth, and luxurious looking fur. So you can expect this breed will require extra care and maintenance to keep that coat nice and lush. The Afghan Hound needs more than just routine grooming, this is a dog with a whole lot of energy so if you're the type who likes to get a lot of exercise or just enjoys hanging around the dog park, an Afghan Hound is the breed for you. These pups have a life expectancy of around 12-15 years on average.
9. Bichon Frise
With an expected lifespan of around 14-15 years of age, the Bichon Frise is a great dog for families who like big personalities in their pups. Originally bred as performance dogs in traveling circus shows, this dog breed does well with families who have older kids. The younger kids tend to make the dogs temperamental and even grumpy depending on the personality of the animal. But on the average, the overall demeanor of the Bichon Frise is energetic, curious, and affectionate to people the dog trusts. But they need a lot of attention and if they're not getting it, they'll show their displeasure at being ignored in no uncertain terms.
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