Did you decide to add a Goldendoodle to your family? Whether you pick a Standard, Miniature, or Medium Goldendoodle, these dogs will definitely bring you a lot of joy. As you are preparing for your Goldendoodle puppy, you might wonder: How long do Goldendoodles live?
The short answer is that the average life expectancy for Goldendoodles is 10-15 years.
Information about your Goldendoodle’s expected lifespan can help owners plan how to best care for their furry companions during the time they’re together. In this article, we will look at what determines the length of your Goldendoodle’s lifespan, as well as how you can make sure your Goldendoodle lives as long as possible!
How long do Goldendoodles live?
One of the advantages of owning a Goldendoodle is that they have a longer life expectancy than many other breeds. However, their life expectancy is influenced by the nourishment and care they receive.
Goldendoodles generally have a life expectancy of 10 to 15 years. This can only be so if proper care and good nutrition are given to them. Regular vet checkups are also vital to help Goldendoodles hit their life expectancy.
Goldendoodles are designed to create hybrid vigor and improve the health of puppies by eliminating some of the health issues found in parent breeds. They’re relatively healthy dogs with a long life span.
What is hybrid vigor?
Hybrid vigor refers to the increased health benefits of crossing two entirely independent purebred breeds. By introducing a new breed, the puppy will get fewer hereditary issues as compared to the parent breeds.
Goldendoodles often benefit from hybrid vigor, which has a proven positive effect on a dog’s fitness, health, and life expectancy. This gives them the health and vitality that makes them outlive either one of their purebred parent breeds.
So, the generation of Goldendoodle dogs will affect their life expectancy. With each cross, a Goldendoodle will get less and less Hybrid Vigor. Thus, an F1 Goldendoodle or first generation will be expected to live longer than a multi-generation Goldendoodle.
Vital Stats About Goldendoodle
Goldendoodle is an adorable hybrid dog that is a cross between the Golden Retriever and the Poodle. Loyal, loving, playful, and highly intelligent, Goldendoodles take their owners’ hearts by storm and make excellent family dogs. They provide great companionship throughout their lifetimes. Also read: There is a Goldendoodle size to suit all desires. Let’s have a look at some vital stats of Goldendoodles:
| Stats | Description |
| Dog Breed Group | Hybrid |
| Purpose | Companionship |
| Ancestry | Golden Retriever, Poodle |
| Average Height | 13 to 24 in. tall at the shoulder |
| Weight Range | Miniature: 15 to 30 lbs, Medium: 30 to 45 lbs, Standard: 45 to more than 100 lbs |
| Energy level | Moderate to high |
| Exercise requirements | Around 30 minutes per day |
| Temperament | Affectionate, loyal, Playful, intelligent |
| Life Expectancy | 10 – 15 years |
The Average Goldendoodle Life Cycle
You should expect your Goldendoodle to go through four major life stages:
- Puppyhood: For the first five months of their lives, Goldendoodles are usually classified as puppies. At the puppy stage, they develop very fast and become more interested in bonding with others. The puppy stage is the critical time for training. Start socializing your Goldendoodle puppy to new people and situations to develop good social skills.
- Adolescence: This stage usually lasts from 8 or 12 months to about two years of age. At this stage, Goldendoodles have much more energy and would be going through growth spurts and start to get into more trouble. They prefer to be quite active and also become bored easily.
- Adulthood: Depending on the size, you may expect your Goldendoodle to reach maturity between the ages of two and three. At this stage, they’ll be completely developed and stop growing bigger. Goldendoodles will reach their physical and mental apex at this time since they’ll be considerably calmer and more relaxed.
- Seniorhood: When your Goldendoodles reach the age of nine or ten, they’re considered seniors and will most likely require additional care and attention. They may begin to slow down, have less energy, and will also be predisposed to certain health issues.
How long do Goldendoodles live: Major Health Concerns
Goldendoodles are generally a healthy breed with fewer health issues. The health conditions that may affect these dogs are:
- Patellar Luxation: Patellar Luxation is a common cause of lameness in Goldendoodles. It occurs when Goldendoodles’ patella or kneecap shifts out of alignment.
- Ear infections: Ear infections are a common and often recurrent problem in many Goldendoodles. The common symptoms of ear infections include itchiness, redness, swelling, excessive scratching, unpleasant odor, or buildup of a waxy substance.
- Hip dysplasia: The Goldendoodle can suffer from hindlimb lameness or hip dysplasia, an inherited cause of hindlimb lameness. The affected Goldendoodles show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs.
- Elbow dysplasia: It’s a degenerative disease that causes developmental deformity of Goldendoodles’ elbows. Dogs with elbow dysplasia usually show forelimb lameness and pain.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): It is an inherited eye disease affecting Goldendoodles. Affected pups initially experience vision loss in dim light. PRA may ultimately cause complete blindness due to bilateral degeneration of the retina of your dog’s eye.
- Von Willebrand’s Disease: It is a common hereditary blood clotting disorder in Golden Retrievers. Affected Goldendoodles may experience excessive bleeding, even from minor cuts.
- Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus: It is caused by the sudden influx of gas and air in the Goldendoodle’s stomach. This causes their stomach to distend and twist.
- Allergies: Goldendoodles are prone to a variety of allergies. They may be allergic to pollen, molds, dust, certain foods, bedding, shampoos, house cleaning supplies, etc.
- Hypothyroidism: It is one of the most common hormone imbalances in Goldendoodles. Hypothyroidism is usually caused by a disorder of the thyroid gland. The most common signs of low thyroid problems in Goldendoodles include lethargy, depression, increased weight, dry or dull coat, excessive shedding, or hyperpigmented skin.
Remember, the sooner you seek medical attention, the better the outcome will be for your Goldendoodle. Treatment or medication may make big improvements in your Goldendoodle’s overall health and life expectancy.
Is There a Difference Between Male and Female Goldendoodle Lifespan?
Male Goldendoodles are slightly bigger than their female counterparts. But this difference doesn’t have any impact on their life expectancy. So, their gender doesn’t affect their lifespan and both male and female Goldendoodles have the same estimated life expectancy.
At what age does a Goldendoodle calm down?
The temperament and personality of each Goldendoodle may vary. This makes it tough to define a set age when your Goldendoodle will calm down. Usually, Goldendoodle pups are more hyperactive than adult Goldendoodles, just like other breeds.
Most Goldendoodles will start to calm around 12 to 18 months of age. Expect highly energetic and sometimes crazy behavior until Goldendoodles transition into the adult phase.
The best way to calm your Goldendoodles is to provide proper behavioral training. You must ensure that your Goldendoodle gets the correct amounts of both physical and mental stimulation.
Common signs of aging in Goldendoodles
Some of the hallmarks of aging in Goldendoodles include:
- Greying muzzle
- Reduced appetite
- Lethargy
- Slowing down or difficulty getting around
- Increased barking
- Cloudy eyes or difficulty seeing
- Hearing loss
- Stiffness
- Exercise intolerance
- Awful breath due to tooth decay
- Weight fluctuation
- Disorientation and balance problems
How Should You Take Care of Your Goldendoodles
You can help your Goldendoodle live his best life. Goldendoodle care is beyond a few rounds of shots. It involves a lot of things including a healthy diet, training, grooming, exercises, taking them for check-ups to a vet, and much more.
As a Goldendoodle parent, you must make sure that your four-legged best friend enjoys better and longer years. While it may feel like a challenge, it’s easily manageable!
Consider the following tips that you can take to keep your Goldendoodle healthy and happy.
- Healthy food
If you want your Goldendoodles to stay healthy and full of energy, it’s important to feed them properly. Look for an ideal balance of proteins, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, and fats. The diet should be based on your Goldendoodle’s age, gender, metabolism, and activity level.
- Vaccination and vet visits
Regular vet visits are essential for your Goldendoodles. Keep up with your Goldendoodle’s vaccines to protect them from diseases.
- Watch the weight
Keeping your Goldendoodles at an appropriate weight range is one of the easiest ways to extend their life. Goldendoodles should not put on weight as it can cause obesity-related health issues.
- Regular grooming and careful examination
Another way to extend your Goldendoodles’ lifespan is to take care of their grooming needs. Always keep an eye out for signs to spot potential problems early. Make grooming and examination a positive experience for your Goldendoodle, filled with praise and rewards.
- Safe playtime
Goldendoodles love to play and thrive on human companionship. This is an effective way to develop a strong bond with your furry member.
- Training and socialization
Training and socialization are essential for the well-being of your Goldendoodles. A well-trained and socialized Goldendoodle does not get bored and remains happy and stress-free.
- Provide a protective and clean living
Always ensure a protected and clean living environment for your Goldendoodle. Maintain good hygiene and protect them from infections and environmental hazards.
- Choose the right breeder
Genetics play a huge role in the overall health and temperament of your Goldendoodles. You should insist on seeing the health certificates of the parents. This will ensure that your Golden pup doesn’t carry any hereditary diseases. Ask the breeder to provide you with the vaccination records for the Goldendoodle puppy.
- Give plenty of love
One of the most important things you can give your Goldendoodle is love and affection. Be compassionate and let them know how much you love them. This will help keep your fur buddy by your side for the longest possible time.
How long do Goldendoodles live: Final Thoughts
We all want our Goldendoodles to live a happy and healthy life. Goldendoodles are loving family companions with lifespans of up to 10 to 15 years. With proper care, they can live happily for many years and make wonderful additions to any household.
Genetics, diet, breeding, and living conditions all affect Goldendoodles’ lifespan. Regular vet checks will keep your pet healthy and determine if any health problems are beginning.
If you have further questions about Goldendoodles, don’t hesitate to ask.
