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.

9. Shih Tzu
Cute and playful Shih Tzu dogs can live for up to 18 years, but average closer to 13. | Canva/Getty Images

10. Shiba Inu
Revered in their native Japan for their incredible loyalty, the Shiba Inu tends to live for between 13-16 years. | Canva/Getty Images

11. Beagle
The oldest recorded Beagle was called Butch, from the USA, who lived until he was 28. More usually, Beagles can be expected to live for between 12 and 16 years. | Canva/Getty Images

12. Pomeranians
Fluffy Pomeranians, named after a region on the border of Poland and Germany, tend to live for between 12 and 16 years. | Canva/Getty Images