The Longest Living Breeds of Dog and Ways to Ensure a Longer Life

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The average life expectancy of a dog varies based on several things. Keeping a proper diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and routine veterinarian wellness checks are all very important. Despite these things, some dog breeds in general, tend to outlive other breeds. Below we put together a list of the top five dog breeds that have the longest average life expectancy.

Chihuahua

Named for the Mexican state of Chihuahua, is the feisty and lovable Chihuahua. It is believed that the Chihuahua derived from the Techichi, which was a small dog kept by the Toltec people of Mexico in the 9^th century. This breed is active and relatively a very healthy dog and has an incredible average lifespan of about seventeen years.

New Guinea Singing Dog

The New Guinea Singing Dogs, also referred to as NGSD, are from the Highlands of Papua New Guinea. These roaming dogs have evolved naturally on the island over several thousand years but were not discovered by researchers until the 1950s. This breed has a very average lifespan of about seventeen years.

Jack Russell Terrier

Originally bred in the 1800’s in southern England by Parson John Russell is The Jack Russell Terrier. This breed of dog is a family favorite throughout the world and is known for its ability to hunt with hound dogs. They are active and lively dogs that average a lifespan of about sixteen years.

Toy Poodle

Originally bred in the early 20th century as a companion dog, the Toy Poodle remains a very well-liked and popular dog to date. They are known to be very alert and intelligent as well as loyal and caring. In 1886 the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized this breed which has an average lifespan of about sixteen years.

Cockapoo

The Cockapoo was designed in the 1960s, when a breeder accidentally combined the genetic material of a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle. The Cockapoo’s popularity has risen ever since and can be found in households worldwide. Much thanks to his Poodle parent, this breed’s average life expectancy is sixteen years.

Five Basic Tips to Keep Your Dog Healthy

1. Provide Your Dog a Healthy and Well-Balanced Diet – Always check the ingredients of their food and be sure to portion it properly. Variables such as the size of your dog, his activity level, and age must be considered. Feeding your dog too much food will result in weight issues as feeding him too little will result in nutrition issues.
   
2. Proper Dental Care – Routine teeth cleaning is extremely important in your dog’s longevity. Although this is not always easy to perform it is something you want to always be sure gets done.
   
3. Activity Time – Most dogs benefit the most with about thirty minutes of physical activity every day.
   
4. Mental Stimulation – While play with your dog be sure to do more than just throw a ball. Human interaction in verbal form and body language will help to stimulate his mind. One-on-one playtime with lots of “good boys” is a great way to achieve this.
   
5. Regular Veterinary Visits – Wellness checks are a great way to catch and correct an issue before it becomes a real problem.

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