Our furry friends bring immense joy, but caring for them requires significant time, effort, and attention to ensure they remain happy and healthy. Fortunately, if you’re considering adding a dog to your family and want to minimize the stress and expense of health issues, there are certain breeds known for their resilience.
Shih Tzu
Shi Tzus can live up to 16 years with the right care and attention. While some people might find it a hassle to regularly groom their long coats, they don’t need much exercise and aren’t very prone to most health issues. However, you should keep an eye out for any signs of respiratory issues.
Greyhound
Despite being one of the fastest dogs in the world, Greyhounds are surprisingly low-maintenance and only need a moderate amount of exercise. While they are susceptible to certain genetic issues, these aren’t very common and can often be kept in check with routine vet visits.
Whippet
Whippets are rather similar to Greyhounds in their speed, shape, and personalities. They’re known for being friendly, gentle, and fairly low-maintenance. Most Whippets don’t develop many health issues and can often live for 12–15 years. If you’re looking for a low-stress family pet, a Whippet could be a great option.
Beagle
Beagles are well known for their gentle, sociable nature and robust health, allowing them to easily reach 12–15 years of age. However, if you’ve ever met a Beagle, you’ll probably know that they have an insatiable appetite for treats. For this reason, it’s important to keep an eye on their weight to avoid the risk of obesity.
Poodle
Poodles are adorable, intelligent dogs famous for their beautiful curly coats. They’re generally healthy and have a hypoallergenic coat that can benefit allergy sufferers. However, their coat needs regular grooming, and they require plenty of mental and physical activities to keep them happy.
Australian Cattle Dog
Australian Cattle Dogs are known for being hardy pups that often live long, healthy lives with minimal need for healthcare. However, as they were originally bred to be cattle dogs, they have a lot of energy and require a significant amount of physical and mental stimulation to keep them happy.
Border Collie
Like Australian Cattle Dogs, Border Collies are famously energetic, intelligent, and active, making great pets for people who love to be on their feet. As noted by the American Border Collie Association, these dogs are also considered to be one of the healthier breeds, so you’re less likely to run into health issues.
Chihuahua
Chihuahuas may be one of the smallest breeds in the world, but they can live a surprisingly long life of 14–18 years. While they can be prone to dental issues and obesity, they’re generally very healthy and require less grooming and exercise than other breeds.
Havanese
The Havanese is another small breed with a fairly impressive lifespan of 14–16 years. They have few genetic health issues and can adapt to various different living situations. While they prefer to be exercised quite regularly, they’re not very boisterous or intense in their play.
Cairn Terrier
As noted by the Midland Cairn Terrier Club, Cairn Terriers are typically healthy, robust dogs that can live long lives with the right care. However, despite their small size, they need plenty of exercise and their coats need regular grooming to keep them smooth and free from mats.
Papillon
Papillons are some of the longest-living dogs in the world, sometimes living to be over 16 years old. They usually have very few health issues, are easy to train, and have friendly personalities. But compared to other toy breeds, they need a fair amount of mental and physical stimulation to keep them occupied.
German Shorthaired Pointer
The German Shorthaired Pointer is a generally healthy breed that often reaches a respectable age of 14 years. As an active breed, they’re at their healthiest when they get plenty of exercise and play. German Shorthaired Pointers are also known for being playful and affectionate in nature, which means they make great family pets.
Shiba Inu
Shiba Inus are bold, independent pups who love to stay by their family’s side. They’re usually very healthy and live for 12–16 years. According to the American Kennel Club, the most common health issue you should look out for is allergies, which usually manifest when the dog is over six months old.
Boston Terrier
Boston Terriers are typically healthy dogs that only need minimal grooming and a moderate amount of exercise. They’re also known for being sociable, outgoing, and friendly, so behavioral issues aren’t very common. However, they can be prone to respiratory issues because of their brachycephalic faces.
Labrador Retriever
As America’s favorite dog breed for a staggering 31 years in a row, Labrador Retrievers have plenty of great qualities to offer their owners. As well as being friendly, playful, and easy to train, Labradors are typically very healthy and often live to be 10–12 years old.
Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky is a robust, healthy breed that has a typical lifespan of 12–14 years. They aren’t susceptible to many genetic diseases, but there is a small risk of hip dysplasia. As highly energetic and intelligent dogs, they need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to stay happy and healthy.
English Springer Spaniel
The English Springer Spaniel is a classic British breed loved for its adorable face, floppy ears, and affectionate nature. While they’re generally very healthy, they need a good amount of exercise and can be prone to ear infections. But as long as you attend your routine vet appointments, you shouldn’t have much to worry about.
Bichon Frisé
The Bichon Frisé is a beautiful breed with an iconic curly coat. These canines typically enjoy good health and can easily live for 14–15 years, giving you plenty of time to enjoy their companionship. While they don’t need a whole lot of exercise, they benefit from regular play and mental stimulation.
