It’s a dog’s life... but not for long if you’re a pooch with a f lat face

THEY are the trendy breeds loved by celebrities, which can cost hundreds of pounds to buy.

But dogs with flat faces such as bulldogs and pugs have some of the shortest life expectancies, a study found.

French bulldogs, whose owners include football legend David Beckham and US singer Lady Gaga, live just four-and-a-half years on average.

Pugs and English and American bulldogs make it to above seven years, but they still fall well behind Jack Russells.

The perky terriers have a life expectancy nearly three times longer than French bulldogs at 12 years and nine months.

Britain’s most popular breed, the labrador, lives an average of nearly 12 years while border collies make it to just over 12 and cocker spaniels 11.

Among other popular UK breeds, springer spaniels live to almost 12 and Staffordshire bull terriers above 11. Vets have warned that bulldogs and pugs may have to be put to sleep at a relatively young age after suffering breathing problems caused by their flat faces and spinal issues from their lack of tails.

The life expectancy figures follow an analysis of more than 30,000 dogs which died between 2016 and 2020. Research coauthor Dr Dan O’Neill, of the Royal Veterinary College, said: ‘Dogs are a member of the family and owners want them to live long, healthy lives. But flat-faced dogs do have a shorter life expectancy, with their cute and adorable looks being linked to several health problems.’

He added: ‘If people know how long dogs are expected to live, that can help when making difficult decisions such as whether to put them through surgery or say goodbye.’

The study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, shows smaller dogs tend to live longer, with tiny Yorkshire terriers reaching above 12. The average life expectancy for dogs overall is just over 11, with females lasting four months longer than males.

One Jack Russell in the study lived to the grand old age of 19.

The oldest dog ever is an Australian cattle dog called Bluey who died aged 29 in 1939.