Which lives longer, the Beagle or the Golden Retriever?

The Golden Retriever has the longer median lifespan: Beagle 12.5 years versus Golden Retriever 13.2 years (McMillan 2024).

Which is healthier, the Beagle or the Golden Retriever?

On the Breed Health Score the Beagle scores 70/100 and the Golden Retriever scores 79/100. The Golden Retriever scores higher.

Beagle vs Golden Retriever

The Beagle has a median lifespan of 12.5 years and a Breed Health Score of 70/100 (grade B); the Golden Retriever lives a median of 13.2 years with a score of 79/100 (grade A). On the overall index the Golden Retriever scores higher. The Golden Retriever has the longer median lifespan.

Beagle

70grade B

Golden Retriever

79grade A

Median lifespan

12.5 yr

13.2 yr

Size

medium · 9-16 kg

large · 25-34 kg

Flat-faced

Longevity

Conformation

100

Hereditary burden

Health Score

70B

79A

Conditions

Epilepsy IVDD Obesity Cherry eye Hypothyroidism

Hip dysplasia Elbow dysplasia Cancer (haemangiosarcoma, lymphoma)Atopic dermatitis Hypothyroidism

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How to read this. The Breed Health Score combines longevity (65%), conformation (20%) and hereditary burden (15%); see the methodology. Median lifespan is from McMillan, K.M. et al. (2024) "Longevity of companion dog breeds", Scientific Reports (584,734 UK dogs). Data CC-BY 4.0. These are independent estimates for comparing breeds, not veterinary advice. Build your own with the interactive compare tool.