If you’ve been thinking about getting a new dog then you’re not alone – Royal Kennel Club (that’s the new name for the UK Kennel Club) figures show that the number of people looking for puppies has surged to record levels over recent years.
Dogs come in all shapes and sizes - the UK Kennel Club recognises 221 different pedigree dogs, from Affenpinscher to Yorkshire Terrier (there are sadly no dog breeds starting with the letter ‘z’!).
Then there are all manner of crossbreeds, from so-called ‘designer dogs’ to lovable mongrels.
So there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your family’s latest four-legged addition – whether you want a large dog, family-friendly dog, or an easy to train dog.
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There is even scientific research to guide you, in particular psychologist Stanley Coren’s groundbreaking book The Intelligence of Dogs.
A factor 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 many (particularly larger) breed of dog rarely living for longer than eight years - but some breeds tend to have longer lives than others.
Here are 10 of the breeds of dog that have longer lifespans.
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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
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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 their third decade. | AFP via Getty Images

7. Bichon Frise
The cloud-like Bichon Frise tends to live for around 15 years, but it's not surprising for these wee fluffballs to stay around for four or even five years more. | Canva/Getty Images
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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. | Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images

