Last Updated on September 9, 2023 by Fumipets
How Long Do Goldendoodles Live? Average Lifespan!
Goldendoodles are a popular crossbreed dog resulting from the combination of a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. These dogs are known for their friendly and intelligent nature.
When it comes to their lifespan, various factors can influence how long Goldendoodles live. On average, they have a lifespan of around 10 to 15 years, but several factors can affect their longevity. Here are five common questions and answers about the lifespan of Goldendoodles:
Goldendoodles
A designer dog breed is the Goldendoodle. Mixing two purebred canines creates a designer breed. The Goldendoodle in this instance is created by combining the Golden Retriever with the Standard Poodle. Strap in and let’s learn more about the Goldendoodle, a hybrid mixed breed of dog that is devoted, loving, sociable, bright, and long-lived.
What’s the Average Lifespan of a Goldendoodle?
A Goldendoodle lives 10 to 15 years on average. The longevity of the Goldendoodle falls between the ages of its forebears, the Standard Poodle, which lives an average of 12 to 15 years, and the Golden Retriever, which lives an average of 10 to 12 years.
Why Do Some Goldendoodles Live Longer Than Others?
The lifespan of the Goldendoodle is influenced by several variables. Let’s examine more closely some potential causes as some dogs, like all dogs, live longer than others.
1. Nutrition/Weight Management
A high-quality, high-protein diet, especially dry kibble, is necessary for Goldendoodles. Make sure you choose the proper kibble for the life cycle your doodle is in and that the first component mentioned is a high-quality, fresh lean protein like chicken, turkey, or fish. Be cautious to check the labels, since certain foods are not suggested for pups.
Since Goldendoodles are prone to hip dysplasia, giving your Goldendoodle commercial dog food with glucosamine and chondroitin will help to maintain the health of its joints. Avoid foods that include soy and corn as well as artificial flavors, preservatives, and fillers.
Dogs that are obese might suffer from a variety of illnesses that shorten their lifespan, including cancer and cardiovascular disease. As a general rule, feeding your doodle at set times of the day is preferable to leaving food available all the time.
Depending on size and stage of life, your doodle will typically consume 1 to 4 cups per day, which you may split into two feedings. So that you can maintain good weight control, you may accurately track how much your doodle is consuming. Consult with your veterinarian if you ever have questions about how much to feed for optimum nutrition.
2. Health Conditions
No dog is immune to potential medical issues, and Goldendoodles are no exception. Reputable breeders make an effort to breed these problems out, although they sometimes persist. Although Goldendoodles are a generally healthy hybrid breed, they may inherit some health issues from their parent breeds, such as thyroid illness, aortic and subaortic stenosis, bloat, and thyroid disease. They can also develop hip and elbow dysplasia. The key to living a healthy life and preventing these illnesses is to maintain a healthy weight.
3. Exercise
We all understand the advantages of everyday exercise for people, but our dogs may also profit from it! Goldendoodles like taking walks or runs. In addition, they like swimming, which they learned from their Golden Retriever parents. Swimming is a great sort of physical activity that will keep your Goldendoodle mentally and physically fit.
Your Goldendoodle will need at least 30 minutes of daily exercise from you, but adults should aim for 1 to 2 hours. Playing fetch, going for a walk or run, or, of course, swimming are all acceptable forms of exercise. Because your Goldendoodle will like playing fetch with you, a fenced-in yard is perfect. Due to their high level of activity, Goldendoodles might get bored with the same routine.
Try combining playtime activities and exercise in light of this. Due to their exceptional intelligence, Goldendoodles benefit greatly from mental stimulation from puzzle toys or tug-of-war matches. Your Goldendoodle will live longer and in better health if you give them mental and physical activity.
4. Size
With Goldendoodles, there is no such thing as a one size fits all. The Toy Goldendoodle weighs 10 to 25 pounds on average, making it the smallest breed. The typical weight of a Standard Goldendoodle is between 50 and 90 pounds, whereas that of a Miniature Goldendoodle is from 25 to 35 pounds. Smaller dogs often live longer, therefore your Goldendoodle will probably live longer if it is smaller.
5. Sex
Although Goldendoodles are a generally healthy hybrid breed, particularly females, they are susceptible to several health issues. Because breast tumors and uterine cancer are more common in women, it is crucial for their general health to have them spayed. Spaying your female pet is a great strategy to extend her life since females experience heat cycles and mood swings as well.
6. Genes
The Goldendoodle’s lifetime is significantly influenced by hereditary factors. Given that Golden Retrievers don’t live as long as Poodles, a Goldendoodle’s lifetime will increase as more Poodle genes are present. However, the breeder can only make an educated estimate as to how many genes your doodle has with its parent breed.
The breeder is another aspect. As we’ve already indicated, professional breeders will make sure the parents are in good health before mating, in an effort to breed out inherited health concerns and produce a healthy dog. To guarantee your Goldendoodle’s best possible health, it’s crucial to adopt from a reputable breeder.
7. Breeding History
In Australia and the United States, crossbreeding of Golden Retrievers with Standard Poodles peaked in the 1990s. The first goal was to create a guide dog that was hypoallergenic for the impaired allergy sufferer. Poodles don’t create as much dander as other dogs since they don’t shed much. The Golden Retriever is the ideal breed for guide dogs since they are kind and simple to train. Goldendoodles have the benefit of living quite lengthy lives given the lifespans of the two parent breeds.
8. Dental Hygiene
It’s a fact that most dogs dislike having their teeth cleaned, yet maintaining proper dental hygiene is crucial to a dog’s general health. If neglected, dental conditions such as gum disease and periodontitis may negatively impact your doodle’s health. Come up with an interesting approach to brush since Goldendoodles like playing games.
Try demonstrating the toothbrush to them, and if they show any interest, reward them with a little treat. The key is to gradually move up to genuine brushing. Your doodle will probably let you if you are patient. Brush their teeth as often as you can, aiming for two to three times each week.
The 4 Life Stages of a Goldendoodle
Puppy Stage
It’s wonderful and a bit terrifying to bring a new puppy home, particularly if you don’t know what to anticipate. When you bring your puppy doodle home, it will generally be approximately 8 weeks old. They will be interested in everything, like any puppy.
Puppy-proofing your house is crucial, so make sure there are no openings your doodle may use to leave the yard and keep dangerous objects out of sight and out of the way. It’s a smart idea to provide your puppy with plenty of secure chew toys, and bringing them outdoors to use the restroom often is also recommended.
The crucial period for training is when the puppy is young. Due to the clever genes that were handed down from their parents, Goldendoodles are very bright, but they still need training from you. Introducing children to discipline by teaching them simple instructions like “sit,” “stay,” or “down” goes a long way.
To avoid overexertion while your puppy is still developing, it’s crucial to restrict exercise time. At three months, try to play for twice as long each day. Avoid overdoing it since their growing joints will be weak and they won’t have much endurance. Gradually increase playtime intervals as they become older; for example, at 3 months, 15–30 minutes daily; at 4 months, 20–40 minutes; at 5 months, 25–45 minutes; and at 6 months, 30–60 minutes daily. At 6 months old, you should also think about neutering or spaying your dog.
Regarding nutrition, give your doodle pup puppy chow made especially for large-breed pups if possible. To make sure they get the proper nourishment during this crucial period, you may also ask your veterinarian how much to feed. You may follow the instructions on the package, but for your own safety, talk to your veterinarian.
Young Adult
Your Goldendoodle will mature at a young age—between 8 and 12 months. At this age, your doodle will continue to develop, often reaching full-grown size at about 2 years old. However, keep in mind that kids are still developing intellectually at this period.
At this time, they will need a lot of exercise and ongoing training to prevent undesirable habits like ruining a roll of toilet paper or going into the garbage. Effective training relies on positive reinforcement. Being tough is important, but not to the point that your doodle starts to fear you. Keep in mind that Goldendoodles are very bright and, with patience, will rapidly grasp the concept.
You should transition them gradually from puppy to adult food, however. The easiest method to prevent stomach distress is to gradually switch over to new foods. Give a puppy food mixture of 34 cup and 14 cup for the first three to four days. After 2-3 days of 1/2 cup of puppy food and 1/2 cup of new food, go to 1/4 cup of puppy food and 3/4 cup of new food. They should then be ready to start consuming just their new meal.
Mature Adult
Your doodle should be in a habit and aware of their position in the pack by the time they reach this stage. At this moment, they won’t be growing anymore, but they still have a lot of energy. They will, however, be a bit more composed than they were as a young adult.
Your doodle will now need two sessions of around 30 minutes each day of exercise. It is sufficient to take them for a walk or to the dog park, or maybe even for a brief swim because they like the water.
Senior
You should keep an eye on your doodling during this period, particularly while exercising. They will start to exhibit aging symptoms including growing grey hairs on the face and rising more slowly. At this stage, you’ll probably want to switch their diet to a senior meal that encourages joint health. Be sure to take them for regular exams. Avoid overdoing it with exercise and instead keep their mind engaged by providing mental stimulation.
It’s crucial to offer them mild activity for 30 to 45 minutes, such as a stroll or a little swim. They will probably slow down a little between the ages of 7 and 9, so it’s a good idea to watch out for any behavioral or mobility changes, like limping. The greatest person to ask for advice if you think your doodle isn’t feeling well is your veterinarian.
How To Tell Your Goldendoodle’s Age
There are methods and telltale signs you may use to determine the age of your Goldendoodle if you acquired it and are unsure. By doing an inspection, your veterinarian can help with this process. Additionally, the way the teeth are shaped provides some insight. Puppies between one and two years old will still have bright, white teeth. You could start to see symptoms of wear and tear between the ages of 3 and 5. By the ages of 5 to 10, illness symptoms may be visible. Teeth may be lost and the teeth may be worn by the time a person is 10 to 15 years old.
Conclusion
Goldendoodles are wonderful household dogs and friends. They will provide you with years of happiness and have reasonably lengthy lives. Make sure to exercise them appropriately and take them in for annual exams. Feed them nutritious food, and be sure to wash their teeth as often as you can. Your doodle will be a happy, healthy dog for many years if you follow these instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What factors can influence the lifespan of a Goldendoodle?
Several factors can impact a Goldendoodle’s lifespan, including genetics, overall health, diet, exercise, and the quality of care and attention they receive.
Are Goldendoodles prone to any specific health issues that can affect their lifespan?
Goldendoodles can inherit health issues from their parent breeds. Common concerns include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, certain heart conditions, and eye problems. Responsible breeding practices and regular veterinary care can help mitigate these risks.
What can I do to help ensure my Goldendoodle lives a long and healthy life?
Providing your Goldendoodle with a balanced diet, regular exercise, routine veterinary check-ups, vaccinations, and preventive care such as dental hygiene can contribute to a longer and healthier life.
How can I estimate the age of my Goldendoodle in dog years?
To estimate your Goldendoodle’s age in dog years, the common rule of thumb is that one dog year is roughly equivalent to seven human years. However, this estimate can vary depending on the dog’s size and breed.
Can the generation of a Goldendoodle affect its lifespan?
The generation of a Goldendoodle (F1, F1B, etc.) may not significantly impact their lifespan. Instead, focus on the individual dog’s health and genetics when considering their potential longevity.
Remember that while Goldendoodles have an average lifespan, individual dogs may vary. Providing your Goldendoodle with love, care, and a healthy lifestyle can increase their chances of enjoying a longer and happier life.
