If you’re thinking of welcoming a Goldendoodle into your home, then you’ll most likely be wondering, “how long do Goldendoodles live?” You want your furry friend to be by your side for many years to come, so it’s perfectly normal to ask this question.
Luckily, Goldendoodles are pretty healthy dogs, and they have quite a long lifespan. There are also many ways in which you can help your pooch to live for as long as possible.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at the average lifespan of healthy Goldendoodles. We’ll also closely examine the common issues that affect Goldendoodles during their lives and the ways in which you can help to mitigate them. Don’t forget to check out our homepage if you need more advice on caring for your pet.
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What’s The Average Lifespan Of A Goldendoodle?
The average lifespan of a Goldendoodle is between 10 and 15 years. However, your Goldendoodle’s lifespan will be affected by its size. Miniature Goldendoodles live slightly longer on average than large Goldendoodles.
Although it’s not set in stone that your dog’s lifespan will be shorter if it’s a large dog, it’s certainly more common for larger dogs to live shorter lives than smaller ones.
This isn’t unique to the Goldendoodle dog breed, and all dogs face the same issue. One of the reasons for this is that larger dogs tend to be more susceptible to certain physical conditions than smaller dogs.
Common Things That Affect The Goldendoodle Lifespan
Like most dogs, Goldendoodles are prone to some health conditions, and there are also other factors that commonly affect the breed.
If you’re planning on welcoming a Goldendoodle into your life, then it’s important that you’re aware of some of the things that may shorten its lifespan.
Knowledge is power, and knowing as much as possible about the Goldendoodle breed is the best way for you to help your pooch live a long and healthy life.
So, let’s take a look at some of the common factors that affect the Goldendoodle lifespan.
Levels of activity
Goldendoodles are a mix of the Golden Retriever and the Poodle. This means that both parent breeds are very energetic dogs. Due to this, Goldendoodles are also full of energy and need a lot of exercise to keep them happy and healthy.
A Goldendoodle puppy will be a bundle of energy from the moment you bring it home. So, you’ll need to be prepared to take it for daily walks and to play games with it to give it mental stimulation.
For these reasons, Doodles are not best suited to dog owners who live more sedentary lives.
If your Goldendoodle puppy is kept physically fit from a young age, then it will have less chance of developing mobility issues later in life. It will also be less likely to gain weight and suffer from obesity.
Genetics
You may have heard that purebred dogs are more at risk of genetic health conditions than mixed-breed dogs. Whilst this does seem to be the case, mixed-breed dogs are still susceptible to health conditions that they inherit from their parents.
The life expectancy of your Goldendoodle may also be affected by which parent breed it has inherited more genetics from. Typically, if a Goldendoodle has inherited more from the Golden Retriever parent than the Poodle, it will have a lower average lifespan.
This is due to the fact that Golden Retrievers have a lower life expectancy than Poodles.
The genetic factor is also one of the main reasons that you should always buy your Goldendoodle puppy from a reputable breeder.
Reputable breeders will perform health testing checks on the parents of your pooch to make sure that it’s less at risk of certain health problems.
Goldendoodle dog breed allergies
Another thing that Goldendoodles often inherit from their parents is allergies. The most common allergies in Goldendoodles are allergic reactions to certain dog food fillers.
This usually includes wheat, soy and corn. Often, you may not notice that your dog has these allergies until later in life. The best way to identify allergies in your pooch is to ask for a vet to conduct allergy tests.
The earlier allergies can be identified, the better it will be for your dog’s well-being. Failure to identify allergies may also have a wider impact on your dog’s health over time.
Hip dysplasia
This condition is fairly common in Goldendoodles and is one of the health problems that can be inherited from the parent breeds.
Hip dysplasia occurs when the hip joint develops abnormally, meaning that the ball of the hip doesn’t fit into the socket properly. This then causes them to rub against each other as the dog walks.
Some of the common symptoms of hip dysplasia include:
- Lameness in one of the hind legs
- A high level of pain when moving
- Limping or stiffness
- Reduced activity levels
- Reduced range of motion
- A swaying or unusual gait
It’s very important that hip dysplasia is diagnosed as early as possible. So, if you notice that your Goldendoodle has any of these symptoms, you should take it to the vet as soon as you can.
There are a number of treatments for hip dysplasia, such as surgery and weight loss. However, all of the treatments work best when the condition is diagnosed early.
Ear infections
Although they may not necessarily affect the average lifespan of your Goldendoodle, ear infections can be painful and fairly debilitating. As Goldendoodles have long, floppy ears, they are particularly susceptible to a number of infections of the ears.
Due to this, you need to make sure that you regularly clean out your dog’s ears. You may not need to do this every day, but you should aim to do it at least once a week.
Progressive retinal atrophy
Progressive retinal atrophy is another health issue that Goldendoodles commonly inherit from their Golden Retriever and Poodle parents.
Progressive retinal atrophy causes the photoreceptors in the dog’s eyes to deteriorate gradually over time. As it progresses, the dog will begin to lose sight in one or both of its eyes.
Unfortunately, there is currently no known cure for this condition.
Von Willebrand’s disease
This condition affects the way that the dog’s blood clots. Dogs with Von Willebrand’s disease bleed heavily after surgery or cuts. This can be very dangerous as there is a risk that the dog may lose too much blood, which could ultimately be fatal.
Common Causes Of Death In Goldendoodles
It’s not a pleasant thing to think about, but like all other pooches, Goldendoodles are more likely to die from certain causes.
We don’t want you to dwell on this too much, but it’s important for you to know what they are. This way, you’ll be better placed to look out for the signs of these illnesses and make sure they’re treated as quickly as possible.
Cancer
The Goldendoodle dog is quite susceptible to two forms of cancer. These are bone cancer and lymphoma. Larger dogs are more prone to these diseases than smaller dogs.
So, if your pooch has more Golden Retriever genes than Poodle ones, it will be more likely to develop one of these cancers.
Both these forms of cancer are more common later in life. There are treatments available, so early diagnoses are crucial. Therefore, dog owners should make themselves familiar with the signs and symptoms of various cancers.
Bloat
Bloat is another common condition that affects the life expectancy of Goldendoodles. Bloat occurs when gas or food causes the dog’s stomach to stretch. It is usually very painful and can be fatal if not treated immediately.
Although this condition can occur in any dog breed, Goldendoodles are more prone to it than many other breeds. Symptoms involve retching without throwing up and a swollen abdomen – take your pup to the vets immediately if you notice these symptoms.
Heart disease
Poodles are quite susceptible to heart disease. Unfortunately, this also means that Goldendoodles tend to be susceptible to it as well.
The symptoms to look out for include the following:
- Your dog collapsing or fainting
- Reduced energy levels
- Regular coughing
- Difficulties breathing
- Decreased appetite
- Sudden weight loss or weight gain
- A swollen stomach
Thyroid issues
Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are fairly common in Goldendoodles. If your dog develops one of these conditions, it can lead to a lot of issues and may reduce its lifespan.
Conditions with the thyroid can be quite difficult to diagnose, so you need to make sure your dog goes for regular checkups at the vet. If diagnosed early, thyroid issues can be treated and managed effectively.
Best Ways To Extend Your Goldendoodle’s Life Expectancy
Dog’s diet
One of the best ways to increase your Goldendoodle’s lifespan is to ensure they have a healthy and balanced diet throughout its life. The healthiest food to give to your dog is high-quality, dry kibble.
You should make sure that the food you buy is high in vitamins and minerals and is low in fat and salt. If you’re unsure about the best diet for your dog, then you should consult a vet who will be able to help you formulate a diet plan.
Reputable breeders
When buying a new puppy, you should always make sure that the breeder you buy it from is a reputable one. You should avoid backyard breeders and puppy mills even if their puppies are cheaper.
Disreputable breeders are only interested in making money and cutting corners to reduce their expenses. This means that they don’t usually perform health checks on their dogs and don’t arrange for them to be vaccinated or microchipped.
Maintaining good mental health
Goldendoodles are intelligent dogs that need to be mentally stimulated to stay happy and healthy. They also tend to suffer from separation anxiety and will need training to help overcome this.
The best way to stimulate your Goldendoodle’s brain is to regularly play interactive games with them. If Goldendoodles don’t get enough mental stimulation, they can become bored and depressed.
This can negatively impact their well-being and even reduce their lifespan.
Regular vet checkups
Your Goldendoodle will need to visit the vet regularly. So, it’s important that you have a vet that you trust and have a good relationship with.
Even if your pooch is healthy, you should still take it to the vet frequently for checkups and for things like vaccinations. Regular visits to the vet are the best way to ensure that any health issues are diagnosed and treated early.
You should also consider spaying or neutering your dog, as this will increase its quality of life and can increase its life expectancy.
Dental checkups
As well as taking your pooch to the vet for general checkups, its teeth should also be regularly examined by a vet. If your dog has healthy teeth and gums, then this will need to be done around once every six months.
Cleaning your Goldendoodle’s teeth should also be part of its daily care. You can do this with a soft-bristled toothbrush and dog toothpaste. You can also give your dog dental chews after meals.
Managing joint problems
Joint problems are a common issue for Goldendoodles later in life. If they get really bad, then this can lead to decreased mobility and weight gain.
One of the best ways to reduce the amount of deterioration in your dog’s joints is to feed them supplements that promote good joint health. Supplements containing omega fatty acids are excellent for this.
Daily exercise will also help to prevent your dog’s joints from stiffening. However, as your dog ages, you will have to reduce the strenuousness of its walks.
If your Goldendoodle is suffering from joint pain, then the vet may prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs in order to lessen the symptoms.
Managing weight
Goldendoodles aren’t as prone to obesity as many other breeds. Still, if their diet and activity levels aren’t managed properly, then they can still be susceptible to weight gain.
As your dog grows older, its metabolism will slow down, and it will also become less active. This means that you will need to start to restrict its diet more as it becomes a senior.
Obesity is one of the most common causes of health problems in all dogs. So, keeping on top of it is absolutely essential.
FAQs
Does mental health play a part in the Goldendoodle lifespan?
The Goldendoodle lifespan can be drastically affected by bad dog parenting, including abuse and neglect. As well as this, the likes of separation anxiety can make any dog physically unwell – if it is severe enough.
As an owner, it is your responsibility to keep your dog mentally stimulation and happy, which will improve their quality of life and, potentially, increase their lifespan.
Do Goldendoodles have shorter lifespans than Golden Retrievers?
On average, Goldendoodles live 2 to 3 years longer than Golden Retrievers. This is because their other parent breed, the Poodle, has a longer lifespan, which they have passed down to the Goldendoodle.
Do working Goldendoodles live longer than pet Goldendoodles?
Goldendoodles are routinely used as guard dogs and therapy dogs. However, there is no evidence to suggest that working Goldendoodles have a longer or shorter lifespan than those kept solely as pets.
Final Thoughts
There are a number of health conditions and other factors that may affect your Goldendoodle’s lifespan. However, with the right amount of love and care, you should be able to minimize the risks to your pooch.
Keeping a Goldendoodle happy and healthy does take a bit of work. But, it’s more than worth it to see your furry buddy living its best life. So, follow the advice in this guide, and you’ll be enjoying your dog’s company for a long time to come!