Pug Lifespan: Why One Study Says 11.6 Years, Another 7.65
How long Pugs live depends on which number you read. A 2024 study of UK dogs found a median of 11.6 years. Another big UK study estimated a life expectancy at birth of just 7.65 years. And the American Kennel Club lists 13 to 15. We use 11.6, but neither study is simply wrong, and the gap is worth understanding.
Key takeaways
- A median of 11.6 years across 10,026 UK Pugs (McMillan et al. 2024), against 12.5 for all dogs.
- A life table built from about 197 UK Pugs estimated 7.65 years (Teng et al. 2022), against 11.23 for all dogs.
- They measure different things in different groups of dogs, and both put Pugs below average.
- Pugs had 53.92 times the odds of the flat-face airway syndrome BOAS compared with other dogs, and 17.4% had obesity.
- On the 11.6-year figure, a Pug turns senior at about 8.7, almost a year before the 9.6 we use for small dogs in general.
Why do the two studies differ so much?
| McMillan et al. 2024 | Teng et al. 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| Result | 11.6 years95% CI 11.4–11.8 | 7.65 years95% CI 6.99–8.20 |
| Measure | Median lifespan | Life expectancy at birth |
| Pugs included | 10,026, of which 2,782 had died | About 197 that died |
| Data | Pooled UK records from several kinds of sources | UK vet practice records |
| All dogs | 12.5 years | 11.23 years |
Three things help explain the gap.
- Different measures. A median is the age half of dogs reach, so early deaths barely move it. Life expectancy is more like an average, so every early death pulls it down.
- Different dogs. One pools many sources, and most of its Pugs were still alive. The other counts only deaths in vet records over a few years.
- A young breed population. This is our reading, not a finding from either study. UK Pugs under vet care had a median age of just 2.36 years in a 2022 study, against 4.44 for other dogs. In a breed that's recently become popular, the deaths recorded in a short window may skew young, since few dogs have had time to reach old age.
We use 11.6 because its sample is far larger, but the true figure could be lower. We wouldn't rely on the 13 to 15 years, which is above both studies.
Pugs next to other flat-faced breeds
Pugs fall between the long-lived Shih Tzu and the much shorter-lived French Bulldog. A flat face doesn't set one fixed lifespan.
What shapes a Pug's life
The 2022 UK vet records study compared 4,308 Pugs with 21,835 other dogs, adjusting for factors like age. Pugs had much higher odds of:
- Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), 53.92 times: breathing trouble linked to a flat face
- Stenotic nares, 51.25 times: narrowed nostrils
- Corneal ulcers, 13.01 times: sores on the eye's surface, affecting 6.8% of Pugs against 0.7% of other dogs
- Obesity, 3.89 times: the most common single problem, in 17.4% of Pugs against 6.9% of other dogs
Those are comparisons of odds, so 53.92 doesn't mean most Pugs have BOAS. It's also not all bad news: Pugs had lower odds of some problems, including heart murmurs and aggression.
What you can do
- Keep your Pug lean. The median weight in the study was 8.95 kg (about 20 lbs). Your vet can tell you what's right for your dog, and low-calorie training treats help during training.
- Take noisy breathing seriously. Snoring while awake, struggling in the heat or tiring quickly aren't just "how Pugs are." Ask your vet.
- Treat eye problems as urgent. Squinting, redness or a cloudy patch needs a prompt visit.
When is a Pug a senior?
At about 8.7, the last 25% of an 11.6-year median lifespan. That's almost a year before the 9.6 we use for small dogs in general, as explained in how old is my dog in human years.
How old is your Pug in human years? Enter their age for a breed-specific answer and life stage.
Frequently asked questions
How long do Pugs live?
A median of 11.6 years, according to a 2024 study of 584,734 UK dogs that included 10,026 Pugs. A smaller UK life table estimated 7.65 years of life expectancy at birth.
Do Pugs really only live 7 years?
No. The 7.65 years is a life expectancy estimate built from about 197 UK Pugs that died at vet practices. It is pulled down by early deaths, and half of Pugs in the larger study lived past 11.6.
Is 13 old for a Pug?
Yes. Thirteen is past the 11.6-year median, though it is the low end of the 13 to 15 years listed by the American Kennel Club.
Why do Pugs have so many health problems?
Many are linked to their very flat faces and body shape. A UK study found much higher odds of airway, nostril and eye problems in Pugs than in other dogs, along with more obesity.
When is a Pug considered a senior?
From about 8.7 years. That is the last 25% of an 11.6-year median lifespan, which is how AAHA defines the senior stage.
Sources
- McMillan KM, Bielby J, Williams CL, Upjohn MM, Casey RA, Christley RM (2024). Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death. Scientific Reports 14: 531. doi:10.1038/s41598-023-50458-w
- Teng KT, Brodbelt DC, Pegram C, Church DB, O'Neill DG (2022). Life tables of annual life expectancy and mortality for companion dogs in the United Kingdom. Scientific Reports 12: 6415. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-10341-6
- O'Neill DG, Sahota J, Brodbelt DC, Church DB, Packer RMA, Pegram C (2022). Health of Pug dogs in the UK: disorder predispositions and protections. Canine Medicine and Genetics 9: 4. doi:10.1186/s40575-022-00117-6
- Creevy KE, et al. (2019). 2019 AAHA Canine Life Stage Guidelines. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association 55(6): 267–290. doi:10.5326/JAAHA-MS-6999
- American Kennel Club. Pug breed profile.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Always consult a licensed veterinarian for questions about your dog's health.
