Jack Russells live longest...but say adieu to a French bulldog

JACK Russell terriers are Britain’s longest-living pet dogs – but people should “stop and think” before buying trendy flatfaced animals that die much earlier, experts warned.

Pioneering research has shown Jack Russells have a life expectancy of 12.7 years.

But the short-snouted French bulldog, pictured, was estimated to survive for just four and a half years.

Other flat-faced breeds that were given shorter life predictions were English bulldogs (7.4 years), pugs (7.7) and American bulldogs (7.8).

The overall average life expectancy for pets is 11.2 years, according to an international study.

Experts say the gloomy flatfaced dog predictions are heavily associated with medical conditions including breathing problems and spinal disease.

As with humans, the study found male dogs live on average four months less than females.

Study co-author Dr Dan O’Neill, of the Royal Veterinary College, said: “The short life expectancies for flat-faced breeds supports the UK Brachycephalic Working Group’s call for all owners to stop and think before buying.” British Veterinary Association president Dr Justine Shotton added: “The findings serve as a fresh reminder for prospective owners to choose a breed based on health, not looks.”

The analysis using new RVC’s VetCompass life tables was based

on 30,563 dogs from 18 different breeds and crossbreeds that died between 2016 and 2020.

Neutered dogs were found to live longer and of the Kennel Club groups, terriers had the longest life expectancy, at 12 years. The RVC VetCompass research will now allow owners to more accurately predict their dogs’ remaining life expectancy from different ages.

The study, in collaboration with the National Taiwan University, is published in the journal Scientific Reports.