Flat-faced dog breeds, including French Bulldogs and Pugs, have the shortest life expectancy.

Vets at the Royal Veterinary College have found brachycephalic dogs don't live as long due to the increased risk of breathing problems, skin fold infections and spinal disease they face.

Experts are calling for people to stop and think before buying a dog with a short snout.

To uncover the findings, researchers assessed a random sample of 30,563 dogs from 18 popular breeds and crossbreeds to see how life expectancy varies between each dog.

By looking at dogs that died between 1 January 2016 and 31 July 2020, they were able to uncover which breeds live the longest — and which sadly don't.

The study found French Bulldogs live just 4.53 years, while English Bulldogs and Pugs live only 7.39 years and 7.65 years, respectively.

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On the other hand, however, Jack Russell Terriers were found to live the longest (12.72 years). This was closely followed by Yorkshire Terriers (12.5 years) and Border Collies (12.1 years).

Take a look at the full list below:

10 dog breeds with the shortest life expectancy

  1. French Bulldog (4.53 years)
  2. English Bulldog (7.39)
  3. Pug (7.65)
  4. American Bulldog (7.79)
  5. Chihuahua (7.91)
  6. Husky (9.53)
  7. Beagle (9.85)
  8. Boxer (10.4)
  9. German Shepherd (10.16)
  10. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (10.45)
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Lisa Joyner
Deputy Daily Editor, Country Living and House Beautiful

 Lisa Joyner is the Deputy Daily Editor at House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, where she's busy writing about home and interiors, gardening, dog breeds, pets, health and wellbeing, countryside news, small space inspiration, and the hottest properties on the market. Previously, she has written for Conde Nast Traveller, House & Garden and Marie Claire magazine. Lisa studied at University For The Creative Arts, where she completed a BA in Fashion Journalism.