We’re officially a nations of dog owners, with the UK’s most popular pet living in around one-in-three households (and rising).
That means that there are around three million pooches living here, with more people choosing to join the army of dog lovers every week.
Of course, if you are looking to welcome a dog into your family, there are 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, alongside numerous crossbreeds, so there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your family’s latest addition.
There’s even academic guidance to seek out, with Psychologist Stanley Coren’s book ‘The Intelligence of Dogs’ ranking breeds by instincts, obedience, and the ability to adapt.
Choosing the right breed is absolutely essential – for example opting for a small dog if you don’t have much room at home, or a hypoallergenic dog if you suffer from allergies.
And one thing you might like to consider is that different breeds are known for having different lifespans - although much will depend on the individual dog in question.
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 some breeds tend to have longer lives than others.
Here are the 13 breeds of dog that tend to live the longest lives.

5. Yorkshire Terrier
The tiny Yorkshire Terrier tends to live for between 14 to 17 years, significantly longer than their larger terrier cousins. | Canva/Getty Images

6. Lhasa Apso
Originally hailing from Tibet, the Lhasa Apso tends to live for around 14 years, but they are another breed that have been known to reach the double decade. | Canva/Getty Images

7. Bichon Frise
It's not unusual for the cloud-like Bichon Frise to live for 14 years. | Canva/Getty Images

8. Dachshund
Both the smooth haired and long haired varieties of Dachshund live for between 12-17 years - with one record-breaker called Chanel reaching the age of 21. | Canva/Getty Images