How long can an overweight dog live

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated January 15, 2025

Contributions sourced from

How Long Do Dogs Live?

Humans have much longer lifespans than dogs. This is a basic fact of dog ownership and one that many owners struggle with when the time comes to say goodbye. While we may wish our dogs could live forever, knowing how long dogs live helps prepare us for their needs as seniors, ensuring that we give them the best possible care throughout their lives so that we get to spend as much time with them as possible.

There are several factors that determine the longevity of dogs, including size, breed, and the general health of the animal. These factors can help answer the questions on most dog owners minds: How long do dogs live? And how can I help my dog live longer?

Do Small Dog Breeds Live Longer than Large Dog Breeds?

Scientists have long been baffled about why small dog breeds tend to live longer than large dog breeds. In the rest of the animal kingdom, size seems to positively correlate with longevity. Elephants and whales are some of the largest and longest-lived mammals, with some whale species living more than 100 years. The same cannot be said of dogs.

Small dogs live significantly longer than their larger counterparts, in many cases up to several years longer. Scientists are not entirely sure why this occurs, although there is speculation that larger dogs develop age-related diseases sooner than smaller dogs. This could be because the larger breeds grow from puppies to adults at an accelerated rate, which may increase the likelihood of abnormal cell growth and death from cancer.

Regardless of the reasons behind why some dogs live longer than others, there are similar characteristics among small, medium, and large dog breeds that help determine the longevity of each group.

How Long Do Small Dog Breeds Live?

The average lifespan for small dog breeds ranges from 10 to 15 years, with some breeds living as long as 18 years. In general, small dogs live longer than their larger counterparts, with the shortest living breeds still exceeding the average lifespan of most large breeds. This makes them a good choice for owners who want a long-lived companion. While variability among breeders and statistical evidence makes it difficult to determine an exact age range for any breed of dog, here are the average lifespans of the longest-lived small dog breeds and the shortest-lived breeds.

Lifespans for certain small dog breeds:

How Long Do Medium Dog Breeds Live?

Medium-sized dog breeds range from smaller companion breeds such as French Bulldogs, to larger, active working breeds such as Border Collies and Australian Shepherds. The average lifespan for medium-sized dog breeds is 10 to 13 years, with some breeds living even longer. As with small dogs, exact age ranges for medium-sized dog breeds are hard to determine, but there are general lifespan guidelines for each breed.

Lifespans for certain medium dog breeds:

How Long Do Large and Giant Dog Breeds Live?

The average lifespan for large dog breeds is 8 to 12 years. This includes large breed dogs such as German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Rottweilers, and Doberman Pinschers, as well as giant breeds such as Great Danes, St. Bernards, and Mastiffs. In general, giant breeds tend to live an average of 8 to 10 years, whereas large dog breeds live 10 to 12 years.

Lifespans for certain large dog breeds:

The Importance Of Health Testing

In addition to size, genetics often play a role in determining a dogs longevity. Unfortunately, some dogs are predisposed to certain illnesses, just like humans. In order to give your dog the best and longest life possible it is important to be aware of any health issues your dogs breed may be more likely to develop.

When selecting a puppy, make sure you choose a responsible breeder who fulfills the health test requirements for their breed. These tests can help detect potentially harmful diseases early on in your dogs life.

Common Causes Of Early Death In Dogs

In an ideal world, all dogs would live out their expected lifespans happily and healthily. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Early death in dogs less than two years of age is most often associated with trauma, congenital diseases, or infectious causes, according to the AVMA, but trauma, cancer, and infectious disease can occur at any time in a dogs life.

Cancer is the leading cause of death in large dog breeds across the board. Scientists dont know exactly why larger dog breeds tend to develop cancer more frequently than smaller dog breeds.

The exceedingly high rate of cancer in Golden Retrievers has led to the largest study of cancer in dogs of its kind. Researchers hope that the study will reveal information about why so many Golden Retrievers suffer from cancer and also about how the factors that contribute to cancer in dogs could also help our understanding of cancer in humans.

Cancer symptoms in dogs:

Lumps
Wounds that wont heal
Weight loss
Enlarged lymph nodes
Distended abdomen
Abnormal bleeding
Lameness
Swelling

Trauma can take many forms, including car accidents and dog fights. Puppies and small dogs have higher incidences of trauma-related deaths than adults or larger breeds, and working dogs also have higher incidences of trauma-related deaths. Keeping your dog on a leash when out of your yard can help prevent some trauma-related injuries, and it is always a good idea to supervise young puppies around other animals and children.

Congenital and inherited abnormalities are not always detectable or predictable. Selecting a responsible breeder and employing responsible breeding practices in your kennel are the best ways to avoid purchasing or producing a dog with a fatal congenital disease.

Infectious diseases are no longer the concern they were prior to vaccines, but they still claim canine victims every year. Keeping your dog up-to-date on parasite control and vaccinations can help limit your dogs risk of contracting a fatal infectious disease.

Obesity And Longevity In Dogs

Approximately 34 percent of adult dogs in the U.S. are overweight or obese. This is alarming because research suggests that obese dogs live 2 years less than dogs at a healthy weight. Obesity puts stress on the musculoskeletal system, leading to osteoarthritis and intervertebral disc disease, and increases their risk of developing diabetes and pancreatitis. Obesity is also associated with cardiac and respiratory conditions such as airway dysfunction and tracheal collapse. Keeping your dog at a healthy weight reduces the risk of his developing weight-related diseases, improves his quality of life, and gives him a chance to live out his full life expectancy.

Tips For Longer-Lived Dogs

Predicting the lifespan of your dog is tricky. While it is relatively safe to assume that a small breed dog will outlive a giant breed dog, there are many factors outside of our control that affect the longevity of our pets. This can be frustrating, but luckily there are some things we can do to improve the lifespans of our canine companions.

Feed a healthy diet
Maintain a healthy weight
Keep up-to-date on vaccines and preventatives
Know any breed-related diseases and their symptoms
Schedule regular veterinary checkups and blood work
Restrict access to toxins and other harmful substances

The best way to help your dog live out his or her life to the fullest is to consult with your veterinarian. Your vet can help you put together a plan for your dogs well-being that includes proper nutrition, preventative care, and exercise, so that your dog stays healthy and active into her golden years.

Obesity in Dogs

What is Obesity in Dogs?

Obesity can be defined as an excess accumulation of body fat that contributes to disease. Dogs that weigh at least 10% above their ideal body weight are considered overweight, while dogs weighing 20% more than ideal are considered obese. Excess body weight can be a contributing factor in many diseases.

What are the risks associated with obesity in dogs?

Up to 65% of dogs in the United States are considered overweight or obese. Obesity can contribute to many conditions in dogs, including:

Arthritis
Pancreatitis
Kidney disease
Respiratory compromise
Decreased exercise and heat tolerance
Increased risk of cardiovascular disease
Abnormal response to insulin
Increased anesthetic risk
Decreased quality of life

Showing love by showering your dog with treats may actually result in a shortened lifespan and decreased quality of life if the excess calories result in obesity.

Symptoms of Obesity in Dogs

Signs of obesity include:

Weight gain
Less energy than usual
Decreased exercise tolerance
A collar or harness that seems tighter than it used to be
Being unable to feel the ribs, or seeing a waistline (a small tuck in the belly right in front of the hind legs)

Causes of Obesity in Dogs

The most obvious cause of obesity in dogs is overfeeding, which can include the dogs regular wet or dry food, treats designed for dogs, and table scraps or human foods. Inadequate exercise can also lead to your dog becoming overweight. There are some medical conditions that cause obesity, including hypothyroidism and hyperadrenocorticism, also known as Cushings disease.

In addition, certain dog breeds can be predisposed to obesity, including:

Is My Dog Overweight?

If you suspect your dog may be overweight, schedule a weight check and examination with your veterinarian. If there seems to be excess padding over your dogs ribs or you are unable to see a slight tuck-up just in front of the hind legs, chances are good that your dog is carrying excess weight.

How Veterinarians Diagnose Obesity in Dogs

Your veterinarian can obtain your dogs weight and look for trends over time indicating weight gain or loss. A measurement called body condition scoring can also be done.

The two most commonly used body condition scores are a five-point scale (where three is considered ideal) and a nine-point scale (where four to five is considered ideal). Your dog should have an hourglass shape when viewed from above if he is at his ideal body weight.

Your veterinarian may also run some lab work to check for any underlying conditions that may be contributing to weight gain, such as hypothyroidism or Cushings disease. If the weight gain has been very sudden, your veterinarian may also recommend x-rays to check for fluid or masses in the abdomen.

Treatment of Obesity in Dogs

The basic components for treating obesity are exercise and dietary changes. Depending on the severity of obesity and current fitness level, increasing the amount of your dogs daily exercise may need to be done gradually. In general, most dogs can safely exercise for 15-30 minutes per day to start. The duration and intensity can be slowly increased as your dog loses weight and becomes more fit. A simple walk is feasible for most families, but exercise can also include playing fetch indoors or outdoors, swimming, and running. If your dog is older, you may need to do shorter exercise sessions.

Dietary changes should be made with the guidance of your dogs veterinary team. The reduction or elimination of extras like treats and table scraps will be helpful, and a change in type and/or amount of food is often needed. There are many weight loss diets available, and some require a prescription from your veterinarian.

A good goal is weight loss of 1-2% of body weight per week, ideally reducing body fat stores while maintaining lean body tissue. While most dog foods give feeding amount recommendations, these are only guidelines, and individual dogs may need more or less than recommended to maintain ideal body condition. Meal feeding (instead of free choice) is often helpful in controlling caloric intake. It is also important to use a measuring cup to ensure consistent feeding of the appropriate amount of food.

Instead of eliminating treats completely, you may opt to switch to baby carrots, frozen green beans, pumpkin, or lower-calorie dog treats if your veterinarian agrees that these are good options for your dog.

Medications are not typically needed to treat obesity unless your dog has hypothyroidism or Cushings disease, in which case regular exams and lab tests will help determine the appropriate type and dose of medication.

Recovery and Management of Obesity in Dogs

Once your dog has reached his ideal weight, your veterinarian may recommend transitioning to a maintenance diet. It is important to continue regular exercise and limit extra treats and snacks.

Of course, preventing obesity before it even happens would be ideal. This can be achieved by two or three meals per day instead of always having food available, avoiding excessive treats, and ensuring that your dog gets regular exercise. Exercise is not just good for your dogits good for humans and offers physical and emotional benefits for all involved.

While it takes effort to prevent or correct obesity, the benefits of a longer and healthier life are well worth it for you and your dog