Healthiest Dog Breeds — our top picks
Jack Russell Terrier
Small, energetic hunting terrier with bold personality. Intelligent, fearless, and excellent working dog.
Rat Terrier
American farm terrier in multiple sizes. Intelligent, energetic, and excellent vermin hunter.
Dingo
Australian wild dog, not truly domesticated. Primitive canid with strong survival instincts.
Mountain Feist
Larger variety of Feist bred for hunting in mountainous terrain. Agile and determined with excellent treeing ability.
New Guinea Singing Dog
Primitive breed from New Guinea known for unique vocalizations. Wild-type dog with dingo characteristics.
Parson Russell Terrier
Longer-legged hunting terrier with bold temperament. Athletic, intelligent, and excellent working terrier.
Pyrenean Shepherd
Small French herding dog with intense energy. Lightweight and agile mountain sheepdog.
Treeing Feist
Specialized Feist bred specifically for treeing game. Small but fierce hunter with excellent climbing ability.
American Eskimo Dog (Miniature)
Smaller version of American Eskimo Dog. Same alert personality in apartment-friendly size.
American Hairless Terrier
Hairless American terrier breed. Alert, curious, and excellent for people with allergies.
Border Terrier
Small British terrier with otter-like head. Good-tempered, affectionate, and excellent family pet.
Danish-Swedish Farmdog
Scandinavian farm dog with compact build and friendly nature. Versatile working dog with strong ratting instincts.
How this ranking works: each of DoggyQ's 343 breeds is scored on the traits that matter most for this lifestyle — energy, size, temperament, grooming and trainability — using our vet-reviewed breed database. Read more about our methodology, or take the free quiz for a ranking personalised to you.
Not sure which breed is right for you?
Take the free DoggyQ quiz and get a personalised match from 300+ breeds based on your lifestyle, home and preferences — in about 2 minutes.
Find your perfect matchFrequently asked questions
- What is the healthiest dog breed?
- Based on temperament and care needs, the Jack Russell Terrier ranks as the top choice for owners who want a long-lived companion, followed by the Rat Terrier and Dingo.
- How was this list of dogs for owners who want a long-lived companion chosen?
- Each breed is scored on the traits that matter most for owners who want a long-lived companion — such as energy, size, grooming and temperament — using DoggyQ's breed database. For a recommendation tailored to your exact situation, take the free quiz.