What is the average lifespan of a dog?

Large Dogs live to about 12

Small dogs can live to 20

Without complications in health, of course they will live the longest.

I cocker spaniel died of CHF at around age 12, he died in his sleep under a bush in the garden

A tiny miniature beast will live more in line with a cats life span. There are always the ones who cheat the odds and do better

It depends on the breed. The larger a dog is, often the shorter the lifespan. For example, a German Shepherd Dog has a lifespan of 10-12 years. Some may live longer, some less. Ours lived 12 years but his back and joints were done by then plus he had gone completely deaf and was almost blind.

You can't really be that general about this particular question since it really depends on the dog and its overall health and care as well.

Small breeds, Yorkies, small Terriers, Chihuahua's, small mixed breeds etc. can usually live up to 20 years of age. Though I think 17 yrs is the most common.

Medium sized breeds, Collies, Staffies, Spaniels, medium mixed etc. usually live about 14 to 16 years.

Large breeds such as German Shepherds, Akitas, Retrievers, large mixed etc. live about 10 - 14 years.

Giant breeds such as Danes, Mastiffs, Newfies, Pyreneans, Akbash, Giant mixes etc. usually don't live very long. Some Danes usually live only 6 or 7 years. But most Giants live, I'd say, 6 - 10 years.

However, there WAS one Dane, from a breeder I know, that lived to 15 years.

So there are always exceptions.

Exercise, a healthy life, good diet and good breeding will result in a longer life.

Depends on the breed. Giant breeds don't live very long -- nine is an old Great Dane or Saint Bernard.

Small dogs have a pretty extended lifespan -- 16+

Probably on average around 12 years.

I have shelties and the oldest I've had one live was 16. Most have passed (or had to be put down) around 12.

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_average_life...

These are averaged:

American Cocker Spaniel 10 - 12 years

Beagle 11 - 13 years

Bichon Frise 10 - 13 years

Border Collie 12 - 14 years

Boxer 9 - 11 years

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 10 - 12 years

Chihuahua 13 - 15 years

Collie (Rough) 9 - 11 years

Doberman Pinscher 8 - 10 years

English Springer Spaniel 10 - 12 years

German Shepherd 10 - 12 years

Golden Retriever 10 - 13 years

Great Dane 7 - 10 years

Irish Wolfhound 6 - 7 years

Jack Russell Terrier 13 - 15 years

Labrador Retriever 10 - 12 years

Lhasa Apso 12 - 15 years

Maltese 11 - 13 years

Miniature Schnauzer 12 - 14 years

Poodle (Miniature) 12 - 15 years

Poodle (Standard) 10 - 12 years

Poodle (Toy) 12 - 15 years

Pugs 10 - 12 years

Rottweillers 8 - 10 years

Shetland Sheepdog 10 - 12 years

Shih Tzu 10 - 12 years

West Highland White Terrier 10 - 12 years

Yorkshire Terrier 11 - 13 years

Generally, large dogs have a life span of around 10-15 years, but they can live a lot longer if they are well cared for.

As shown in the answers, it depends on the dog. My lab died at 13 and a half. Really big dogs like Great Danes aren't as lucky. I know of a twenty year old Shiatsu (?spell). Best answer -- 10 - 16.

it depends on the breed.

most larger dogs for example my great dane will most likely live to be 11 MAX. most danes die around 7-9 years old but you can prolong it if you take proper care and feed quality diets.

and it depends on how healthy the dog is.

my westie is 13, westies typically live anywhere from 15-17 years maybe more. but my westie has cushings and has for some time and sadly she is fighting her last fight and I think she may be passing within the next year or so :(

10- 13

My dog died when she was 14 But most dogs lifespans are in the teens