you’re in just the right place to get answers!

Life expectancy of labradoodles

When planning to add a canine companion to your family, it is important to know just what you’re getting yourself into! You might be curious about what to expect from your breed of choice when you bring him/her home since you are committing to caring for and loving this pup as long as it lives. 

Are you wondering “how long do labradoodles live?” Do you need to know, specifically, “how long do small labradoodles live?” versus “how long do large labradoodles live?” before making your decision on the size of your breed? When picking the gender of your dog, is there a difference in how long female labradoodles live and how long male labradoodles live? These are all very valid and important questions to ask, and you’re in just the right place to get answers!

Meet your breed! 

First, let’s get to know your breed. Labradoodles are crossbreeds of Labrador retrievers mixed with poodles. Their sizes can differ from standard, miniature and toy depending on the poodle size that they are bred with. Take the best qualities of a Labrador and a poodle, and you have the widely-coveted Labradoodle! Labrador retrievers bring an ideal temperament, intelligence and trainability to the breed, while poodles bring an even higher level of intelligence, an array of sizes and a low-shedding coat to the breed. Much of the health and life expectancy of labradoodles depends on the ancestral and biological heritage from the parent breeds. 

 Labradoodles have notably gentle and even tempers. They are not considered to be an aggressive breed. In fact, labradoodles are an increasingly popular choice of breeds for a family pet because of their affectionate and playful spirit. 

How long do large labradoodles live?

Labrador retrievers and standard poodles both tend to live around 12 years. Research suggests that crossbred dogs live longer than their parents by a year or two, so don’t be surprised if your labradoodle manages to stick around longer! Large labradoodles have a lifespan of about 12 to 14 years, but various factors influence where each dog is likely to fall on this scale. 

How long do small labradoodles live?

The truth for most dog breeds, including labradoodles, is the smaller they are, the longer they’re likely to live. Miniature poodles and toy poodles both tend to live up to 14 years old on average, so if you have a small labradoodle pup, it probably has a higher chance of living longer. 

 How long do male labradoodles live versus female labradoodles?

Many people have an opinion on whether a female or male labradoodle will grow up to be the better pet. Some pet owners are adamant about choosing one sex over the other in every dog they own. Regardless of your preferences or prejudices on the sex of your labradoodle, this has little to nothing to do with their lifespan! However, there are several things that pet parents can do to ensure their labradoodles, male or female, can live long, happy and healthy lives. 

 Extending the life of your labradoodle

While genetics will likely be on your side in sharing an average of 12 or more years with your labradoodle, there are preventive actions you can take to increase their lifespan and health. 

• Veterinary care including regular check-ups and vaccinations 
• Nutritious food ensuring a balanced diet 
• Proper feeding schedule to avoid canine obesity
• Socialization that provides companionship and contact with others
• Physical activity encouraging physical health through walks and playing on a daily basis 
• Grooming to ensure the health of the skin, coats, paws, nails, ears, etc. 
• Mental stimulation such as training, learning and playtime to develop and maintain activity
• Love and affection that returns the kindness, loyalty and love that labradoodles extend to you

You should also factor in that a respectable, certified breeder plays a large part in the lifespan and overall health of your labradoodle puppy. A good breeder will provide a report or background on the parents’ health histories and genetics. This might give you a better idea of how likely it is that your labradoodle puppy will inherit particular health problems or abnormalities.

Time to enjoy your years spent with your labradoodle pup! 

While much of your labradoodle’s personality is by your nurturing, they most likely inherited a lot by nature of both parent breeds, too. Labrador retrievers are known to be the easygoing family dog that is enthusiastic about doing just about anything with you. Poodles are entertainers with social and happy personalities. This crossbreed truly has the best of the best when it comes to genetic qualities and traits. Whether you’re bringing your labradoodle into a single household or a large family, a household with no pets or a household with a couple more fur babies, labradoodles will add joy to everyone’s lives. Since they are both active and intelligent breeds, your labradoodle will probably be very active and curious. Take advantage of the outdoor exercise that will benefit you, your labradoodle and your family!