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Your French bulldog is adorable and I wish it no ill will.

However, based on data analysis by the UK’s Royal Veterinary College (RVC), it may have a rather short average life expectancy.

The RVC analysed data from more than 30 000 dogs in Britain that died between 2016 and the middle of 2020 and calculated the life expectancy of various breeds at birth.

The Telegraph reports that Jack Russell terriers came out tops with a life expectancy of almost 13 years on average.

On the other end of the spectrum, French bulldogs live the shortest life. Their average life expectancy at birth is just four-and-a-half years.

Done in collaboration with the National Taiwan University, the researchers found that Yorkshire terriers [below] were the second longest-living breed (12.5 years) and border collies were third (12.1 years).

Image: Highland Canine

Other flat-faced breeds – English bulldogs, pugs and American bulldogs – rounded out the bottom four alongside French bulldogs, with none of them expected to live more than eight years at the time of birth.

The study found that across all breeds, the average life expectancy was 11 years and three months. However, males tend to live four months less than females.

Part of that can be attributed to the fact that male dogs are more likely to be put down due to “undesirable behaviour”. They’re also more likely to die from trauma-related injuries.

In total, the study involved more than 250 different dog breeds. However, only 18 breeds (and another category for crossbreeds) provided enough data to draw any sort of conclusions.

Once more, it’s worth stressing that is all based on data from the UK. Perhaps a similar South African study would draw slightly different conclusions but we don’t have that data at hand.

Here’s the life expectancy of each breed listed:

• Jack Russell – 12,72 years
• Yorkshire terrier – 12,54 years
• Border collie – 12,1 years
• Springer spaniel – 11,92 years
• Crossbred – 11,82 years
• Labrador – 11,77 years
• Staffordshire bull terrier – 11,33 years
• Cocker spaniel – 11,31 years
• Shih-Tzu – 11,05 years
• Cavalier King Charles spaniel – 10,45 years
• German shepherd – 10,16 years
• Boxer – 10,04 years
• Beagle – 9,85 years
• Husky – 9,53 years
• Chihuahua – 7,91 years
• American Bulldog – 7,79 years
• Pug – 7,65 years
• English bulldog – 7,39 years
• French bulldog – 4,53 years

The study found that neutered male dogs lived about a month longer on average, and spayed females around six months later. Yet another reason to make sure you get that sorted ASAP.

The average life expectancy for all dogs at birth is 11,23 years.

Also, when it comes to rescuing pets from shelters and the like, you can’t simply look at average life expectancy as the be-all and end-all.

For example, from the BBC:

Life expectancy [of a Chihuahua] from age zero is 7.9 years. You might think therefore that there isn’t much point in rescuing a six-year-old Chihuahua at a dogs home because the average age at death for the breed suggests you’ll only get to spend less than two years with it.

But veterinary records show quite a lot of Chihuahuas will die at a young age, pulling down that average life expectancy. And this means a Chihuahua that’s reached six will likely live a lot longer than eight. We know some Chihuahuas will get to 15 or 16.

As with all data, there’s nuance involved.

Here’s Dr Kendy Tzu-yun Teng, the lead author of the study:

 “The dog life tables offer new insights and ways of looking at the life expectancy in pet dogs. They are also strong evidence of compromised health and welfare in short, flat-faced breeds, such as French bulldog and bulldog.”

It is worth noting that the study’s co-author, Dr Dan O’Neill, said that the recent rise in popularity of French bulldogs means drawing precise conclusions about the breed is tougher than for other breeds.

Sorry for the potentially bad news, dog owners.

I have a pet. I will fight you in the street if you try and harm her.

Hold your pooch close.

[sources:telegraph&bbc]