Healthiest Dog Breeds: 30 Dogs With The Least Health Problems

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healthy beagle puppy, energetic german shepherd dog, and more as the healthiest dog breeds

One of the most important factors to consider if you’re planning on getting a dog is the breeds health. After all, you’ll want enjoy your little furry friend for as long as possible.  Even though it’ almost impossible to determine which dogs can live the longest, there are certain points that can definitely help estimate a dog’s lifespan.

We’ve put together a list of the healthiest dog breeds to help you pick a dog that can fill your life with happiness for years to come.

The World’s Healthiest Dog Breeds

Anyone who has had a dog knows that they are so much more than a pet, they are family. Unfortunately, dogs don’t live as long as humans, which means that even though you’ll get to make lots of great memories together it will only be for a limited time.

So what are the healthiest dog breeds?

30. Beagle

healthy beagle dog breed sitting in the grass

Beagles are friendly and great with kids, making them excellent family dogs. They are a very healthy breed and if well taken care of, can live for about 15 years. Beagles do love to bark and howl, so they’ll need to be trained to minimize that and they make great Emotional Support Animals.

29. Shiba Inu


shiba inu is a health dog breed and they enjoy the warm sun

Shibas are mid-size dogs that can be aggressive if not trained while young. This breed does not do well with kids or other pets because they are very territorial. If well taken care of, these dogs can live about 16 years. Shibas need a confident master who is patient while training and socializing with other dogs.

28. Siberian Husky

a healthy Siberian husky sitting on a rock

Siberian Huskies are very affectionate, friendly, and outgoing dogs. This healthiest breed of dog is also intelligent, independent, and can be quite mischievous, which is why they need an experienced trainer. Siberian Huskies are very healthy dogs and can live about 12 years.

27. Alaskan Malamute

a healthy alaskan malamute dog sitting on a ledge

Alaskan Malamutes are friendly and playful dogs. They prefer cold temperatures and are known to “talk”. They love to climb and roam, which is why you’ll need to have a tall, strong enclosure to keep him/her safe. This breed is great with kids but doesn’t do well with other animals. These dogs can live about 13 years if well taken care of.

26. Bergamasco

a fluffy and healthy Bergamasco dog running on grass

Bergamasco is a dread-locked breed that is very popular among dog shows. They are great with kids and are one of the healthiest dog breeds. Unfortunately, their popularity has led to many inbreeding by unethical breeders. Bergamascos from a proper breeder can live about 14 years if well taken care of.

25. German Shepherd

a healthy german shepherd puppy basking in the sun

German Shepherds make great watch dogs because they are protective of their humans. These dogs are energetic and great with kids. They are extremely intelligent and can be easily trained. These dogs are very healthy and with the right food can live up to 11 years.

24. Australian Shepherd

a healthy Australian shepherd puppy playing in the snow

The Australian Shepherd is perfect for outdoorsy people looking for the most energetic and healthiest dog breeds. They are intelligent, playful, and friendly, and they absolutely love being outdoors. These dogs are easy to train and are extremely healthy, often living up to about 15 years.

23. Australian Cattle Dog

a playful and healthy australian cattle dog playing in leaves

Australian Cattle Dogs are also friendly and playful. This breed is well-known for its intelligence and high energy level. They love to go on adventures and are great family dogs. If well cared for they can live about 13 years.

22. English Foxhound

energetic and health english foxhound looking to his left

English Foxhounds are friendly and playful. They are perfect family dogs because they are great with kids and pets. Like most hound breeds, these dogs love exploring and following their nose. That’s why it’s important to keep your Foxhound secure and consider microchipping them to ensure if they get lost they can be found and brought home. With proper exercise and being well cared for, English Foxhounds can live up to about 13 years.

21. English Springer Spaniel

healthy english springer spaniel dog breed looking up at camera

English Springer Spaniel is a loving and energetic breed. They love being with their humans and don’t make great guard dogs because they just want to play all the time. These dogs are very obedient and easy to train. They can live up to about 15 years of age. They love playing fetch and swimming so an active family is the best option for them.

20. Chihuahua

a tiny and healthy chihuahua photo shoot

This breed has earned a bad rep because many unethical breeders were inbreeding, which led to a lot of unhealthy Chihuahuas. However, when acquired from a reputable breeder you can be sure that they will be healthy because they are properly bred. Chihuahuas make excellent lap dogs because of their small size.

They have a long lifespan for a dog, in fact, if well taken care of, they can live up to about 20 years making them among the healthiest breed of dog.


19. Azawakha tall and healthy Azawakh looking up at the sky

Azawakhs are very calm dogs and rarely bark. They don’t like cats and don’t do well with rowdy kids, but they are affectionate with their humans. They want to spend as much time with their humans as possible, which is why they make better indoor dogs. They are healthy dogs and can live to be about 11 years old.

18. Greyhound

an energetic greyhound dog smiling on his bed

Greyhounds are some of the healthiest dogs in the world. They are lean, which is why they don’t tolerate the cold very well. These dogs are affectionate and do well with children, cats, and other dogs. Greyhounds are both intelligent and loyal, making them easy to train. They are energetic and need a lot of exercise. They can live up to about 13 years.

17. German Pinscher

a happy and healthy german pinscher playing in the sand

German Pinschers are known for being aggressive, but they are actually all bark and no bite. However, they can be trained to be physically aggressive, or even selectively aggressive, making them great watchdogs. They don’t do well with young children and like to have some alone time on a regular basis. They are a very healthy dog breed and can live up to 14 years.

16. German Shorthaired Pointer

german shorthaired pointer puppy in field

German Shorthaired Pointers have very short fur and rarely shed, which means they make perfect indoor dogs. They are friendly, playful, and intelligent making them easy (and fun) to train. They are a very active breed and can live up to about 14 years of age.

15. Belgian Malinois

healthy belgian malinois dog running in the park

Belgian Malinois are the type of dogs are live to please. They are highly intelligent and can be taught all sorts of tricks and can be taught to complete several tasks. This breed is active but doesn’t do well with other pets or young children. They are active dogs and often live up to 14 years old.

14. Basenji

a healthy and alert basenji dog looking up at owner

Basenjis have been around for generations. They are known as the ‘barkless’ dog because they rarely bark, making them perfect for apartment life. They are very energetic dogs and have short hair that rarely sheds. If well cared for, these dogs can live up to about 12 years and can be one of the dogs with the least health problems.

13. Labrador Retriever

a healthy labrador retriever dog enjoying the summer

Labradors are some of the friendliest dogs you’ll ever meet. These dogs are highly intelligent and love to please, which is why they are so easy to train. They love playtime and are great with kids and other pets. These dogs continue to be playful up until they are old and can live up to about 13 years.

12. Poodles

a fluffy white poodle dog licking his nose

Poodles are friendly and do well with kids and other pets. They don’t make good guard dogs because they are also friendly to strangers. If you live an active lifestyle these dogs will be happy to keep up with you. They are considered hypoallergenic and even though they have a lot of hair, they rarely shed. With the right diet and exercise, these dogs can live long and healthy lives up to about 14 years of age.

11. Border Collies

a healthy border collies ears listen to birds

Border Collies are known for their intelligence and high level of empathy. They are also very patient, making them perfect for first-time dog owners. Even an inexperienced trainer can train a Border Collie. This breed is healthy and can tolerate both warm and cold climates without a problem. They tend to live about 15 years when well cared for and are known as one of the dogs with the least health issues.

10. Bichon Frise

a happy bichon frise enjoying vacation

Bichon Frise is among the healthiest dog breed that looks similar to a stuffed animal. While they are absolutely adorable, they don’t do well with young children. However, they are very affectionate and 100% loyal to their humans. These dogs are not ‘barkers’ and don’t like to wander, they prefer staying close to their human. These cuties live to about 13 years of age.

9.Pembroke Welsh Corgi

happy pembroke welsh corgi frolicking through snow

Corgis are sassy dogs that enjoy completing ‘tasks’. If you don’t give you Corgi any tasks you may find him or her entertaining himself/herself by herding children or other pets. They are extremely easy to train and are very obedient. These dogs are comfortable in any weather and are among the healthiest dogs, living up to about 13 years.

8. Pharaoh Hound

a healthy-looking pharaoh hound standing alert for upcoming race

Pharaoh Hounds are not as well-recognized as some of the other breeds, but they’ve been around for a long time and they are one of the healthiest dog breeds around. So long, in fact, that they were first domesticated by the Egyptians.

These dogs do well in cold and warm climates, although they prefer the ladder. They are very intelligent, but they are also independent and strong-willed, making them a bit harder to train. They are very healthy dogs and can live up to about 13 years of age.

7. Rottweilers

an adorable rottweiler giving the camera side eye

Rottweilers are a larger breed, but they are calm and gentle like a big teddy bear. Despite their reputation, unless bred to be aggressive all the time, these dogs will only show aggression if they sense their human is being attacked.

Rottweilers are normally recommended for more experienced owners because of their giant size. They can reach up to 130lbs and can live about 11 years.

6. Shetland Sheepdog

happy shetland sheepdog puppy smiling

The Shetland Sheepdog breed are highly intelligent dogs. While they do have long hair that sheds easily, they are worth the extra vacuuming! They rarely bark, never chew on your shoes/furniture and are known to prefer staying home instead of running away. This breed can live to about 13 years of age.

5. Brittany Spaniela healthy brittany spaniel dog playing at the park

Brittany Spaniels are excellent with kids and pets, making them great family dogs. They’re an intelligent breed that is easy to train and loves to play. They are very energetic and need more than just a walk around the block to remain mentally and physically healthy. With proper diet and exercise, they can live up to 12 years.

4. Havanesea playful Havanese dog makes puppy eyes for camera

Havanese are small dogs that love being petted. They are lapdogs by definition and need very little exercise to be healthy. These dogs are very affectionate and inquisitive. Havanese dogs are a very healthy breed and can live up to about 13 years of age.

3. Whippetwhippet puppy lying on a blanket

Whippets are another ‘barkless’ dog, quiet to live with. They are friendly and very social dogs, and rather spend as much time as possible surrounded by happy people. These intelligent dogs are very easy to train.

They do, however, need a lot of exercise, which is why you should not only take him/her for daily walks, you should also take him/her to parks and places he/she can run around. These dogs can live up to 13 years, if well taken care of.

2. Canaan Doga healthy canaan dog breed standing in the snow

Canaan Dogs are territorial, which is why they make excellent watchdogs. While they are very affectionate to their humans, they absolutely do not like strangers. These dogs are calm, but they don’t do well with young children or other pets. Canaan Dogs are a healthy breed and can live up to about 13 years.

1. Ibizan Hounda healthy ibizan hound with its ears up

Ibizan Hounds are great with children and make fantastic family pets. This racing breed has a lot of energy and loves to run around and jump, which is why you’ll need to have an enclosure that they won’t be able to escape. They are well-known escape artists! They have short fur and barely shed. These dogs can live happily in hot weather, not so much in cold weather. Ibizan Hounds can live up to about 12 years of age.




  • Dj says:

    Boxers, labs, mastiff, chows are all high risk for cancer. I have had these breeds and each have had cancer. I’d like a big dog, protective, great with kids and cats that isn’t high risk. What would that be?