Being welcomed home with the wagging tail of a Goldendoodle is a very special feeling.Goldendoodles have been bred in North America since the 1990s as a crossbreed of the Golden Retriever and the Poodle family. Ever since, the Goldendoodle has been wildly popular as a pet.Goldendoodles, or ‘doodles’ as they are also known, are known as gentle, loyal dogs with a playful temperament and a high IQ. They also earn popularity points for their unique hypoallergenic coat. Most Goldendoodles can be categorized as either standard-sized Goldendoodles or miniature Goldendoodles. As their size varies, so does their weight and life expectancy. They are active and outgoing, which makes them ideal for families as well as first-time dog owners.With proper training, these dogs can learn quite a few tricks. They require regular outdoor exercise but miniature Goldendoodles are better suited to living in apartments. On average, Goldendoodles are happy, healthy dogs with few health issues. As a cross between Golden Retrievers and Poodles, they get their lifespan from both parents. But, it is best if you remember that every dog is unique and there are several other genetic and lifestyle factors that determine their life expectancy.Once you have finished reading this article, why not discover the answers to how long do great Danes live, and how long do pugs live here on Kidadl?The Average Lifespan Of GoldendoodlesOn average, a Doodle can live anywhere between 10-15 years. This holds true for both English Goldendoodles and American Goldendoodles.Goldendoodles inherit their lifespan from their parent breeds, Golden Retrievers and Purebred Poodles. Golden Retrievers are known to live for 10-12 years, while Poodles can live up to 18 years. When you’re looking at hybrid crossbreeds like the Goldendoodle, the average lifespan can be calculated by taking the lower and higher range of both parent breeds.There’s also the play of genetics to be accounted for. As a general rule, a smaller dog breed lives a longer life. So, it’s safe to say that a miniature Goldendoodle is likely to live longer than a standard-sized Goldendoodle. With this in mind, note that Poodles are smaller than Golden Retrievers. So, the lifespan of a Goldendoodle with a greater percentage of Poodle genes will lean towards the upper end of the range.How to improve the life expectancy of Goldendoodles?The first step towards having a Goldendoodle with a long, healthy life is to get a Goldendoodle puppy from a reputable breeder. A responsible breeder will screen parents for health issues so that your puppy has a low risk of suffering from genetic or congenital health problems. Experienced dog owners tend to avoid a breeder who is vague about the puppy’s parents and those who sell multiple dog breeds. Even then, it will be difficult to accurately predict the lifespan of the dog.Let’s look at a few things you can do to ensure that this dog breed has a longer life.Nutritious food is one of the many factors that influence how long do Goldendoodles live. A diet that gives your Goldendoodle the right balance of nutrients in the right quantity keeps your dog from developing deficiencies and associated health problems. Note that the nutritional requirements of a puppy and an adult dog are different. If you give your dog a proper diet throughout his life, you won’t have to worry about supplements unless they are prescribed by a veterinarian.Nutritious food and controlled portion sizes will help your dog stay within a healthy weight limit. Overweight hybrid dogs have a higher risk of certain health issues, like hip dysplasia. Every dog enjoys snacks, but these snacks should not account for more than 10% of the dog’s calorific intake. If you’re training a Goldendoodle puppy and need snacks as reinforcers, consider vegetables like carrots or bell peppers and healthy, meat-based treats.Like a Golden Retriever, you also need to exercise your Goldendoodle regularly so he can live longer. Exercise has a direct influence on your dog’s life expectancy. Even a mini Goldendoodle requires exercise for a healthy body. Goldendoodles love running and going for a swim. Taking your dog for a run strengthens muscle tissue and burns calories. Exercise also releases endorphins, for humans and dogs! These chemicals make you and your dog happy, and happy dogs are healthy dogs.A Goldendoodle is a social dog. This breed thrives in company. As owners of the dog, you are also their family pack. These dogs rely on you, their parents, for friendship, a happy life, and good mental health. You need to spend time with them on a daily basis. Play catch, hide and seek, even your oldest Goldendoodle will love playing games. Games provide mental stimulation, reduce stress, help them live longer and make your dog feel connected to you.Your dog’s oral health is another factor that can affect their lifespan. As any vet will tell you, tooth and gum health are important to your dog’s overall health and well-being. Goldendoodles are highly susceptible to gum infections. This doesn’t just lead to bad breath, it could also result in the need for extractions. They could also develop a low grade tooth infection. The good news is that it’s easy to keep your dog’s teeth and gums healthy. Use a child’s toothbrush and a dog-specific toothpaste. Start slow and make cleaning your dog’s teeth a daily habit.Lastly, make sure you schedule regular check-ups at the veterinary office. To enjoy a good quality of life, your Goldendoodle needs to be vaccinated regularly and kept free from ticks, fleas, and other such pests. The veterinarian will also be able to identify early signs of illness in your Goldendoodle and address it before the issue gets out of hand.Causes For Death In GoldendoodlesA Goldendoodle’s lifespan can be affected by a number of diseases. Since this breed is a hybrid of Golden Retrievers and Poodles, they are affected by diseases that both of these breeds are susceptible to.These dogs are known to suffer from hip dysplasia. It is a condition characterized by a thigh bone that becomes loose from the Goldendoodle’s hip joint. Though it isn’t a terminal disease, it may affect your dog’s quality of life. Physical exercise becomes difficult. This could increase the risk of your dog becoming overweight and lead to other connected health issues that, in turn, reduce a Goldendoodle’s lifespan.Another disease that can affect the lifespan of Goldendoodles is Von Willebrand’s disease. This is a blood disease linked to genetics that affects the blood’s ability to clot. The trouble with this illness is that it sometimes goes undetected until the dog experiences trauma or goes into surgery. Since the disease affects blood clotting, there’s a risk the dog may bleed out.It may seem trivial, but one of the conditions that may affect a Goldendoodle’s life expectancy is an ear infection. A Goldendoodle has long, flappy ears. This limits the exposure of their ears to fresh air, which is responsible for keeping the ear canals dry and healthy. If left untreated, this condition can be extremely painful for goldendoodles and shorten their lifespan.Like humans, Doodles may also suffer from thyroid imbalances. Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can lead to many problems, such as nerve damage and heart complications. If diagnosed in time, changes in the dog’s diet and medication can be used to manage the condition. The trouble is that thyroid imbalances can be hard to diagnose as the symptoms are quite mild.A Goldendoodle faces a high risk of cancer of the bone and lymph nodes. The risk is directly related to its size. Thus, it poses a lower risk to the mini Goldendoodles’ lifespan. Osteosarcoma, lymphoma, thyroid problems, heart problems, and Addison’s Disease become more common as Goldendoodles get older. These cancers aren’t easy to diagnose, and by the time they are detected, it might be too late for treatment. Most dogs eventually succumb to cancer.Signs Of Aging In GoldendoodlesIt’s not always easy to tell a Goldendoodle’s age. Like humans, every dog shows different signs of age. Of course, when you’re a dog parent, you’ll notice the more prominent signs of aging.As Goldendoodles get older, you may see their coats and muzzles turn grey or lighten. Some dogs may get a salt and pepper look. You may also notice their coat losing lustre and their skin becoming less elastic. Fatty lumps called lipomas may appear in various parts of the body of your Goldendoodle.As Doodles get older, their appetites may reduce and their need for water may increase. Drinking more water could be a sign of underlying kidney disease, liver disease, or diabetes.While some dogs lose weight with age, others may gain weight. This is usually because your dog uses less energy throughout the day. Weight gain in a Goldendoodle may be accompanied by lethargy. Your dog may also show signs of exercise intolerance.As a Goldendoodle gets older, digesting food may become a little more difficult. A dog of this breed may have trouble urinating or passing feces. They may also suffer from incontinence. Doggy bad breath is a common sign that your dog is getting older. If you find your dog coughing more frequently, don’t ignore it. It could be a sign of a leaky heart valve.A Doodle can begin to show signs of arthritis with advancing age. You’ll probably see it in the form of stiff joints and their difficulty in moving about easily. Arthritis isn’t curable by veterinary science, but it can be managed with medication and supplements. An older pet may also have a problem maintaining balance and become easily disoriented.A Goldendoodle dog breed combines all the love a retriever would shower on you with the intelligence of a poodle. As long as you keep them happy, stress-free, and in good physical and mental health, they will shower you with love and affection. Your family will love having a Goldendoodle in their life!Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for how long do Goldendoodles live then why not take a look at how long do boxees live, or Goldendoodles facts.
Being welcomed home with the wagging tail of a Goldendoodle is a very special feeling.
