Labradoodle Lifespan: How Long Do Labradoodles Live?
Labradoodles are one of the most popular breeds in North America and their popularity continues to grow as people realize just how awesome these dogs are. They are beautiful dogs with easy-going personalities and hypoallergenic coats.
One question that we see a lot is how long do Labradoodles live? While many factors could affect their lifespan, Labradoodles tend to live somewhere between 10 and 15+ years. We have some helpful health and life information if you are considering a Labradoodle to add to your home.
How Long Do Labradoodles Live?
The Labradoodle started being bred in about the 1980s in North America. These dogs are lovely family pets with outgoing personalities. There is not a ton of health issues to worry about which will reduce their lifespan. However, we can take a look at the parent dogs to get a good understand of how long a Labradoodle will live.
The Labradoodle comes from the Labrador Retriever and Poodle dog breeds. Labrador Retrievers tend to live for about 10 to 12 years while Poodles tend to live 12 to 15+ years. In general, larger dogs tend to live shorter lives than smaller dogs.
We know that a Labradoodle will typically not be as large of a dog breed as a Labrador Retriever unless they bred with a Standard Poodle. Since Labradoodles are a medium-sized dog breed, it’s safe to say that on average they will live between 10 and 15+ years.
However, there can be a lot of various factors that can lead to their overall lifespans and we will cover some of these in this guide.
The Average Labradoodle Life Cycle
You should expect your Labradoodle to go through four major life stages: puppyhood, adolescence, adulthood, and seniorhood.
Puppies
For the first five months of their lives, Labradoodles are usually classified as puppies. However, because they are developing so fast at this time, they will go through a variety of puppy phases. They will develop and become more interested in bonding with others during their puppy stage.
It is best to begin training a Labradoodle puppy between the ages of 10 and 16 weeks when they are aware and interested enough to understand what is going on and absorb what they are being taught. At this point, you can also begin exposing the puppy to new people and situations. This will help the puppy to develop good social skills.
Adolescence
This stage usually lasts from five or six months to about two years of age. They will start to get into more trouble during this stage as they’d have much more energy and would be going through growth spurts. They also become bored easily, and when they aren’t napping, they prefer to be quite active. Around this age, they also shed their clumsiness and become more coordinated. Labradoodles, in particular, will begin to demonstrate considerable skill and strength at this age.
Adulthood
Depending on the breed, you may anticipate your Labradoodle to reach maturity between the ages of two and three. At this point, it will be completely developed and stop growing bigger. Your dog will reach its physical and mental apex at this time since it’ll be considerably calmer and more relaxed.
Senior
When your Labradoodle reaches the age of nine or ten, it is considered a senior and will likely require additional care and attention. It may begin to slow down and have less energy than when it was younger. As with all dog breeds, it will also be predisposed to certain health issues as well.
Several health issues can shorten the life of a Labradoodle. Some of these may be avoided by breeding healthy dogs so that inherited disorders are not passed along. Others can be avoided or at least addressed with frequent check-ups and assistance from your veterinarian.
Some of these health issues include:
Eye problems: Labradoodles are susceptible to a variety of eye problems, including cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, and retinal dysplasia. Loss of eyesight isn’t necessarily harmful on its own. However, if your dog does not detect a threat in time, it’s more likely to be involved in an accident.
Hip dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is frequent in big dog breeds like Labradoodles and can result in arthritis or the inability to walk. While not fatal in and of itself, severe forms of hip dysplasia can cause extreme pain and a loss of quality of life.
Addison’s Disease: Addison’s disease occurs when the adrenal glands of a dog fail to generate adequate cortisol. if left untreated, it can cause renal damage and possibly death.
How to Extend the Life of Your Pet Labradoodle
Labradoodles are a charming and highly intelligent dog breed. This is why they continue to be a popular family dog breed. If you properly care for your Labradoodle, it will live a long and happy life.
These are the best tips to extend your labradoodle’s lifespan:
Pick Pups from Reputable Breeders
Most health conditions that affect Labradoodles are hereditary. It’s crucial to purchase pups whose parents don’t have genetic or health disorders.
You can only get healthy, disease-free puppies from reputable breeders. Always review the pup’s history and whether the breeder has screened it for common health issues.
Exercise Your Labradoodle
Exercises keep your Labradoodle fit and also help prevent joint problems. Labradoodles are active, energetic dogs that enjoy running and having fun. Take them out for evening runs, hikes, or even swimming sessions. Frequent workout keeps them in good shape and might increase their lifespans.
Proper Grooming
Labradoodles have coats that require regular grooming. Routine hygiene care can help prevent conditions like ear infections, which affect the dog’s life expectancy.
Give Them a Proper Diet
Diet plays a massive role in the lives of a Labradoodle. Any junk food you give your dog could result in obesity. According to a 2019 study, obese dogs live a shorter life than lean dogs.
Overfeeding can accelerate growth and cause conditions like joint dysplasia. Ensure you give your dog nutritious food and supplements.
Aging Signs to Look For in a Labradoodle
Your Labradoodle is inevitably going to age. You simply can’t avoid that, just as humans can’t avoid it either. There are some things you can watch for that may be signs that your Labradoodle is aging and may need extra care.
Here are some noticeable signs of aging that you can look for in an aging Labradoodle:
Progressive Retinal Atrophy or PRA is another aging ailment that Labradoodles can experience. This is a progressive deterioration of the retina, which is part of the eye. This can lead to blindness over time and affect a Labradoodles life expectancy.
Bleeding gums or bleeding noses, also known as Von Willebrand’s disease. This is not necessarily common but it could happen to your Labradoodle and should be monitored if it does.
Hip Dysplasia is one of the most common health struggles with Labradoodles since they are a larger breed. This is a genetic disorder and you can often predict whether your puppy may experience it by knowing about the health of the parents. Hip Dysplasia will affect how long your Labradoodle lives.
Final Thoughts
Overall, your Labradoodle should live a long and healthy life of 10+ years. You can be proactive by being familiar with health issues they could possibly face. Your Labradoodle will rely on you to keep them as healthy as possible throughout their lifetime.