Dr Justine Shotton, British Veterinary Association president, said: “These life tables offer an important insight into the life expectancy of popular dog breeds in the UK and will be a useful tool for vets and pet owners in assessing dog welfare.
“A concerning finding is the lower life expectancy for flat-faced breeds.
“While the study doesn’t prove a direct link between these breeds’ potential welfare issues and shorter length of life, the findings serve as a fresh reminder for prospective dog owners to choose a breed based on health, not looks.”
The analysis is based on a random sample of 30,563 dogs that died between January 1 2016 and July 31 2020, from 18 different breeds and crossbreeds.
The new research from the RVC’s Veterinary Companion Animal Surveillance System (VetCompass) programme means owners can predict the remaining life expectancy of their dog from different ages.
The study, conducted in collaboration with researchers from the National Taiwan University (NTU) in Taiwan, is published in the journal Scientific Reports.