Meet the Remarkably Long‑Lived Canines Behind Bluey and Other Legendary Dogs

While the average lifespan of a domestic dog is 10 to 13 years, a handful of canines have defied age, living well into their 20s and beyond. Researchers call these age‑defying canines “Methuselah dogs,” after the biblical figure who supposedly lived 969 years.

Below are some of the most extraordinary long‑lived dogs documented in recent history, spanning a range of breeds and lifestyles. Each of these animals achieved record longevity while enjoying productive and, at times, celebrated lives.

Bluey (29 years 5 months)

Australian Cattle Dog

Bluey, born in 1910 in Rochester, Victoria, worked tirelessly as a cattle and sheep herding dog for nearly three decades—long before modern veterinary medicine existed. She earned a Guinness World Record for the longest‑living dog and was commemorated with a mural in her hometown in 2019. The typical lifespan of an Australian Cattle Dog is 12 to 16 years, making Bluey a true outlier.

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Adjutant (27 years 98 days)

Labrador Retriever

Adjutant was a UK gamekeeper’s dog, born in 1936 and living well into the 1960s. He guarded game fields from poachers and earned recognition for his service and longevity.

Sue Zellers / Getty Images

Taffy (27 years 211 days)

Welsh Collie (Border Collie × Welsh Sheepdog)

Taffy, born in 1975, was a crossbreed that lived in the UK and held the record for the world's oldest dog until 2003. She exemplified the resilience of working dogs.

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Buksi (27 years)

Mongrel

Hungary’s Buksi enjoyed a carefree life on a horse‑riding farm, engaging with people, horses, and other dogs. He benefited from ample exercise, a raw‑food diet, and was studied at ELTE University for longevity insights.

Pusuke (26 years 8 months)

Shiba Inu Mix

Born in 1985, Pusuke lived in northern Tokyo with owner Yumiko Shinohara. After a near‑fatal car accident at age 23, he made an impressive recovery and continued to thrive, earning a Guinness World Record and a dedicated fan base in Japan.

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Bramble (25 years 89 days)

Border Collie

Born in 1975, Bramble nearly doubled the life expectancy of her breed. She enjoyed swimming and a plant‑based diet of whole grains, vegetables, legumes, and fruit. A vegan dog‑food brand now carries her name.

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Spike (25 years and counting)

Chihuahua Mix

Spike was rescued in Ohio when he was found in a grocery‑store parking lot with rope burns and neck injuries. Veterinary assessment indicated he was at least ten years old. His new owner, Rita Kimball, fed him homemade meals of chicken liver and roast beef, and he has continued to thrive.

Fran Polito / Getty Images

Cicci (23 years 364 days)

Pomeranian Poodle Mix

Cicci, beloved in Narnali and Prato, Italy, survived rat poison ingestion, a stroke, and a car collision. He nearly reached 24 years, passing away just one day before his birthday.

TobyKeith (23 years 112 days)

Chihuahua

Adopted by Gisela Shore in West Palm Beach, Florida, TobyKeith shared a home with other dogs and a cockatoo named Coco. In 2022, Guinness World Records certified him the oldest living dog at the time.

Pebbles (22 years 187 days)

Toy Fox Terrier

Pebbles, a 4‑pound (1.8 kg) champion, gave birth to 32 puppies with her mate Rocky. She lived in Long Island before moving to Taylors, South Carolina, where she became a fan of country music.

Sergey Ryumin / Getty Images

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