The last two years have seen many of us welcome a new four-legged friend into our homes, as the Kennel Club saw dog ownership rise by nearly eight per cent during the global pandemic.
But with 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your perfect pup – whether you want a large dog, family-friendly dog, or crossbreed.
One of the terrible truths of dog ownership is that we are likely to outlive our adored pet, with the average dog living just 10-13 years – but there's a fairly substantial gap between the breeds that live the longest and shortest lives.
The Chihuahua, for example, can expect to live for between 15-20 years, while some larger dogs will be around for less than half as long.
Here are the 10 breeds that have the shortest average lifespans.
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5. Neopolitan Mastiff
The adorably wrinkly Neopolitan Mastiff can expect to live for 7-9 years. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
6. Leonberger
The large Leonberger has an average lifespan of 8-10 years. But, just to show there are exceptions, the oldest recorded Leonberger lived to the ripe old age of 17. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
7. Newfoundland
Named after the part of Canada in which they were first bred, the Newfoundland has an average lifespan of 8-10 years. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
8. Saint Bernard
Originally bred for rescue work in the mountains on the Italian-Swiss border, the Saint Bernard tends to live for 8-10 years. Photo: Canva/Getty Images