No dog breed is free from illness, and there is no scientifically validated ranking of breeds by “fewest illnesses.” These 23 breeds are candidates for comparatively favorable longevity, moderate body structure, and established health-screening programs—not guarantees of a disease-free dog.
A 2024 Scientific Reports study examined 584,734 UK dogs, including 284,734 deceased dogs across 155 breeds. Its lifespan figures measure survival, not total disease burden or quality of life.
What makes a dog breed “healthy”?
For this list, “healthy” means a combination of comparatively favorable lifespan data, generally moderate conformation, and available breed-specific screening recommendations. Breed health also varies with bloodline, breeding practices, diet, weight, exercise, preventive care, and environment.
Extreme body shapes deserve particular caution. The 2024 study found shorter lifespans among brachycephalic breeds overall. Flat-faced dogs can face conformational risks, so they are a poor fit for a list focused on fewer illnesses.
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23 relatively healthy dog breeds
The breeds are listed alphabetically, not ranked by health. Median lifespan figures are from the 2024 Dogs Trust dataset unless otherwise noted. These population averages are not predictions for individual dogs.
| Breed | Median lifespan | What prospective owners should know |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Australian Cattle Dog | 14.0 years | Breeders should screen for hip disease, eye disease, deafness, and specified inherited eye conditions. |
| 2. Australian Shepherd | 13.7 years | This active breed needs substantial physical and mental exercise. Ask for the parent club’s recommended health-screening results. |
| 3. Beagle | 12.5 years | A generally moderate-bodied breed, but weight control and responsible breeding remain important. Obesity can worsen health outcomes. |
| 4. Border Collie | 13.1 years | Screening may address hip dysplasia, eye disease, deafness, epilepsy, and inherited disorders. Meet this active breed’s exercise and enrichment needs. |
| 5. Border Terrier | 14.2 years | Breed-club screening includes patella, hip, cardiac, eye, and SLEM testing. Reported concerns also include seizures, allergies, and juvenile cataracts. |
| 6. Cairn Terrier | 14.0 years | Verify current parent-club screening recommendations rather than relying on the breed’s reputation for hardiness. |
| 7. English Springer Spaniel | 13.5 years | Screening and family history matter because orthopedic, eye, and other inherited conditions can occur. |
| 8. German Shorthaired Pointer | 13.4 years | This athletic breed needs substantial exercise. Verify parent-club testing and consider whether you can meet its activity needs. |
| 9. Havanese | 14.5 years | Small size does not eliminate inherited disease. Use documented breed-specific screening and monitor dental and orthopedic health. |
| 10. Jack Russell Terrier | 13.3 years | An earlier UK study estimated 12.72 years of life expectancy at birth. That study used a different measure and dataset, so its figure is not directly comparable to the newer median. |
| 11. Lakeland Terrier | 14.2 years | Long life expectancy does not mean freedom from inherited disease. Check the parent club’s current testing recommendations. |
| 12. Lhasa Apso | 14.0 years | Small size and a long coat do not make this breed disease-free. Regular dental, eye, and veterinary care remain important. |
| 13. Maltese | 13.1 years | Small dogs need careful dental care and weight management. Follow the Maltese parent club’s health-testing recommendations. |
| 14. Miniature Schnauzer | 13.3 years | Choose a breeder who documents recommended eye, cardiac, and other breed-specific evaluations. |
| 15. Papillon | 14.5 years | The AKC lists a typical life expectancy of 14–16 years. Recommended screening includes patella, cardiac, and ophthalmologist evaluations. Protect puppies from falls and accidental injuries. |
| 16. Poodle | 14.0 years | Standard Poodles can have hip and eye disorders, epilepsy, sebaceous adenitis, von Willebrand disease, and immune-mediated disorders. Parent-club testing is essential. |
| 17. Rat Terrier | Not listed in the Dogs Trust table | The AKC describes Rat Terriers as generally very healthy. Reported concerns include hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, and cardiac and eye disorders. Recommended testing includes patella, hip, cardiac, and PLL DNA testing. |
| 18. Shiba Inu | 14.6 years | This was the highest median lifespan in the 2024 Dogs Trust table. Allergies are a common concern; recommended screening includes patella, hip, and ophthalmologist evaluations. |
| 19. Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier | 13.7 years | Recognized inherited conditions make health screening and family history important despite favorable longevity data. |
| 20. Vizsla | 13.5 years | Responsible breeding, appropriate exercise, and weight control matter. Ask for the breed club’s recommended testing and a clear family health history. |
| 21. Welsh Terrier | 13.8 years | A long-lived, moderate-bodied terrier. Breeding dogs still need breed-specific evaluations. |
| 22. Whippet | 13.4 years | Its non-flat facial structure avoids some extreme-conformation concerns. Verify cardiac and other parent-club-recommended evaluations. |
| 23. Yorkshire Terrier | 13.3 years | An earlier UK study estimated 12.54 years of life expectancy at birth; its measure differs from the newer median. Small size does not prevent dental, orthopedic, or other health problems. |
How to choose a healthy puppy
Breed averages matter less than the health practices behind a particular litter. Dogs of the same breed can have different risks depending on their parents and relatives.
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- Find the current testing list. Check the AKC Breed Health Testing Requirements page and the national parent club’s recommendations. Requirements vary by breed and can change.
- Ask for the sire’s and dam’s actual results. “Health tested” is too vague. Request the examinations, dates, results, and registration details.
- Verify public records. Where applicable, search the OFA and CHIC records.
- Interpret a CHIC number correctly. It means required tests were completed and results made public; it does not mean every result was normal.
- Ask about the wider family. A responsible breeder should discuss illnesses, early deaths, allergies, seizures, orthopedic problems, and other issues in close relatives.
- Meet the mother and inspect the dogs’ living conditions. Look for a clean environment, appropriate socialization, healthy adult dogs, and transparent records—not claims such as “rare bloodline” or “naturally immune.”
How owners can reduce preventable health problems
- Keep your dog at a lean, healthy body condition. Excess weight strains joints and can worsen chronic disease.
- Arrange routine veterinary examinations and keep vaccinations, parasite prevention, and other preventive care current.
- Brush teeth regularly and arrange professional dental care when your veterinarian recommends it.
- Match exercise to the dog’s age, structure, and fitness. Build athletic dogs’ conditioning gradually.
- Feed a complete, balanced diet and measure portions.
- Learn breed-specific warning signs, such as breathing difficulty, recurring ear or skin disease, lameness, fainting, seizures, or sudden changes in thirst and urination.
Are mixed-breed dogs healthier?
Not automatically. A mixed-breed dog may have a broader genetic background, but it can also inherit conditions associated with its contributing breeds. “Hybrid vigor” is not a guarantee against disease. The individual dog’s history, physical condition, veterinary records, and inherited risks matter more than the label alone.
Are DNA tests enough?
No. A DNA test can identify particular variants or predispositions, but it cannot predict every disease. It does not replace physical examinations, hip or elbow evaluations, eye exams, cardiac checks, or a review of family history. A negative result answers only the question that test was designed to address.
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What is the healthiest dog breed overall?
There is no scientifically established single healthiest breed. Shiba Inus, Papillons, Havanese, Border Terriers, Australian Cattle Dogs, and others have favorable longevity data, but individual breeding lines and care matter more than a simple ranking.
Which dog breed has the longest lifespan on this list?
The Shiba Inu had the highest median lifespan in the 2024 Dogs Trust dataset at 14.6 years. Havanese and Papillons followed at 14.5 years. These population statistics are not guarantees for individual dogs.
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Are small dogs healthier than large dogs?
Small dogs often live longer on average, but they can still develop dental disease, patellar luxation, eye disease, obesity, and other conditions. Size alone does not determine an individual dog’s health or the quality of a breeder’s program.
What should I ask a breeder before buying a puppy?
Ask which health tests the parent club recommends, request the sire’s and dam’s documented results, check OFA or CHIC records where available, and ask about health problems in close relatives. A breeder should discuss risks openly rather than promise a disease-free dog.
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The Bottom Line
The best prospects for a long, healthy life are not defined by breed name alone. Favor moderate body structure, sound breeding practices, verified parent health testing, and a lifestyle that keeps the dog lean, active, and regularly examined by a veterinarian. No breed—and no DNA test—can promise a life without illness.
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