If you have just become the proud owner of a goldendoodle or are thinking about getting one, then chances are that you want to know how long this dog will be part of your life.

Let's take a look at everything you need to know about the goldendoodle lifespan so that you can make the most of your time with your furry friend.

How Long Do Different Types of Goldendoodles Live?

Different types of Goldendoodles will have different average lifespan depending on their size. As one of its parent breeds is the golden retriever, the life expectancy is similar for standard goldendoodles.

Here is the average lifespan of most Goldendoodle types:

How Old is the Oldest Goldendoodle?

The oldest living goldendoodle on record was 17 years old, although on Quora there are several people who claim they have goldendoodles that are even older than this.

17 years is pretty old for a dog, regardless of the breed!

What Affects the Lifespan of Your Goldendoodle?

There are a lot of factors that can affect your goldendoodle's life expectancy. Some of these factors are within your control, while others are not.

Some of the things that can affect your Goldendoodle's lifespan include:

Size

As with most dog breeds, the larger the goldendoodle, the shorter its lifespan is likely to be. Standard goldendoodles tend to live for 10 – 15 years, whereas mini goldendoodles can reach the ripe old age of 13 – 15 years.

Health Issues

Unfortunately, like all dogs, goldendoodles can be affected by health problems. Some of the most common include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, Von Willebrand’s Disease and Addison’s Disease.

As goldendoodles have flappy ears, they are also more prone to ear infections than other breeds of dogs.

To make sure your goldendoodle isn't affected by any of these problems, make sure you buy from a reputable breeder who health tests their dogs. DNA tests can also be done to check for certain diseases.

Diet

What your goldendoodle eats plays a huge role in how long they live. If they eat a lot of unhealthy food, then this will obviously have an effect on their health.

You should avoid feeding your goldendoodle human food as much as possible as this can make them obese and lead to health problems such as diabetes as they are usually filled with sugar.

Feeding them fruits like blueberries and bananas, which are packed full of antioxidants, will help to keep their immune system strong.

Genetics

Unfortunately, because of the rise in popularity of goldendoodles, there are a lot of unscrupulous breeders out there who don't health test their dogs and follow the proper breeding protocols.

This means that a lot of goldendoodles are prone to health problems, which can shorten their lifespan.

They can also suffer from genetic defects, such as heart problems, which can again lead to early death.

To make sure you are getting a healthy goldendoodle, make sure you buy from a reputable breeder who health tests their dogs and follows the proper breeding protocols.

Hybrid Vigor

Goldendoodles are a hybrid breed, which means they can benefit from what is known as hybrid vigor.

This is the term used to describe the fact that crossbreed dogs are often healthier and have a longer lifespan than purebred dogs.

This study from Sciencedirect shows, F1 crossbred dogs (Like F1 Goldendoodles) have a longer lifespan and are less prone to hereditary diseases than purebreds.

This also means that a first-generation goldendoodle (F1) is likely to have a longer lifespan than a second-generation goldendoodle (F2) or a multi-generation goldendoodle.

Fear and Anxiety

Studies show that Goldendoodles with extreme separation anxiety and fear of strangers typically have a shorter lifespan.

Fear and anxiety in dogs can be caused by many things, including a lack of socialization, and can lead to health problems.

If you train your Goldendoodle properly and socialize them early, you can help reduce their fear and anxiety levels, which may lead to a longer lifespan.

How to Extend the Life Expectancy of Your Goldendoodle

Unfortunately, Goldendoodles don't live forever. Although 10-15 years might seem a lot, time flies by so fast you won't even notice.

But, there are some things you can do to extend your Goldendoodle's lifespan:

Maintain a Healthy Diet

First and foremost, you need to make sure your Goldendoodle is eating a healthy diet. A diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals will help to keep their immune system strong and stave off disease.

As tempting as it might be to share your dinner with your furry friend, you should avoid giving them human food as much as possible. Human food is usually high in sugar and fat, which can lead to obesity and health problems such as diabetes.

Exercise, Discipline, Affection

To have a balanced and healthy dog, Cesar Milan says you need to have three things fulfilled:

Exercise = You create Trust

Discipline = You create Respect

Affection = You create Love

Let's break these down.

Regular Exercise

Goldendoodles are by nature, active dogs. They need regular exercise to stay healthy both mentally and physically.

A good rule of thumb is at least one hour of exercise per day.

This can be a combination of walks, runs, playtime or any outdoor activity that you also enjoy. You can also join a local dog club or meetup group where your Goldendoodle can socialize with other dogs, or take them hiking or swimming. This will help them burn energy and maintain better physical fitness.

Training

Goldendoodles need to be trained from an early age and they are very intelligent dogs, so training them is usually a breeze. They need mental stimulation and physical stimulation.

Training helps to build the bond between you and your dog and also helps with their discipline. It also improved their mental health.

Some basic commands that your Goldendoodle should know are sit, stay, come, down, leave it, and drop it. These commands will help you to keep control of your dog in any situation.

A well-trained Goldendoodle is less likely to have behavioral problems, which can lead to anxiety and stress so it can definately help extend their lifespan.

The right amount of Love and Affection

Goldendoodles, just like golden retrievers are known for being loving, loyal and affectionate dogs. They thrive on human interaction and need to feel loved and wanted.

Make sure you spend quality time with your Goldendoodle every day, even if it's just cuddling on the couch or playing fetch in the backyard.

Giving your Goldendoodle the love and attention they deserve will help to keep them happy and stress-free, which can lead to a longer, healthier life.

Weight Management

Obesity is one of the leading health problems in dogs and can lead to a host of other problems such as joint pain, diabetes, respiratory difficulties and an increased risk of cancer. Many dog owners feed human food, which can lead to your Goldendoodle dog getting overweight.

Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial to extending your Goldendoodle's lifespan.

Regular Vet Checks

You should take your Goldendoodle to the vet for regular check-ups.

Your vet will be able to spot any health problems early on and treat them before they become serious. Goldendoodles are prone to certain health conditions such as hip dysplasia, von Willebrand's disease and epilepsy, so it's important to keep on top of their health.

Spaying and Neutering

According to Steven Austad, Ph.D, spaying or neutering your goldendoodle can extend their lifespan. On average, dogs that are spayed or neutered live 1.5 to 3 years longer than those that are not.

Spaying or neutering your dog can help to prevent certain cancers and also reduces the urge to roam, which can lead to them getting lost or being hit by a car.

How Long do Goldendoodles live in Human Years?

Most of us heard, “One human year is equal to seven dog years.”

Unfortunately, this popular saying is not accurate at all and it is not supported by science!

The fact is, every breed ages differently and the size of the dog also plays a role in how fast they age.

As a general rule, we can use this formula to calculate goldendoodle life in human years:

• For the first year of their lives, it is 15 human years.
• For the second year of their lives, it is 9 human years.
• After the second year, every year is about or 5 human years.

So, if your goldendoodle is 2 years old, that would be the equivalent of being 24 years old in human years.

If your dog is 6 years old, that would be the equivalent of being 42 years old in human years.

Most Common Health Problems of Goldendoodles

There are some health problems that are more common in goldendoodles than other dogs.

Some of the most common health problems include:

• Hip dysplasia: This is a condition that can cause pain and lameness in the hips. It is caused by a malformation of the hip joint. Goldendoodles are especially prone to this condition because of their large size.
• Von Willebrand's disease: This is a blood clotting disorder that can cause excessive bleeding during surgery or after an injury. Goldendoodles are at a higher risk for this condition because of their von Willebrand factor, which is a protein that helps with blood clotting.
• Sebaceous Adenitis: This is a condition that affects the sebaceous glands, which are responsible for producing oil. It can cause dry, scaly skin and hair loss.
• Epilepsy: This is a neurological disorder that can cause seizures. Goldendoodles are at a higher risk for this condition because of their family history (both poodles and golden retrievers are prone to epilepsy).
• Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis: This is a heart condition that can cause an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.
• Addison's Disease: This is a condition that affects the adrenal glands and can cause weakness, weight loss and vomiting.
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy: This is a condition that leads to blindness. It is caused by the deterioration of the retina.
• Cataracts: This is a condition that causes opacity of the lens of the eye, which can lead to blindness.

What is the most common cause of death for Goldendoodles?

Unfortunately, there are some health conditions that are common in goldendoodles and can cause death.

We will break these down into puppies and adult goldendoodles.

Common Causes of Death in Puppy Goldendoodles

• Distemper: The most common cause of death for a Goldendoodle puppy is distemper.
  
  Distemper is a viral disease caused by the paramyxovirus, that attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems.
  
  Unfortunately, there is no cure for distemper and it is often fatal.
  
  Make sure your pup gets vaccinated against distemper and keep them away from other dogs that may be sick.
• Parvovirus: Parvo is a virus that attacks the gastrointestinal system and is highly contagious. It is deadly in Goldendoodle puppies because they have not had a chance to build up immunity to it.
  
  This disease affects pups that are between 6 and 20 weeks old.
  
  You can completely prevent your goldendoodle puppy from getting parvo by getting them vaccinated against it.
  
  Make sure you follow the vaccine schedule that your vet recommends.
• Kennel Cough: Kennel cough or it's medical name, Bordetella, is a respiratory infection that is contagious among dogs.
  
  It is caused by bacteria and viruses that are found in the environment, such as in dirt, grass, or even other dogs.
  
  Your Goldendoodle puppy can develop pneumonia from Bordetella, which can be fatal.
  
  You can vaccinate your pup against bordetella and you should also make sure they are up to date on their other vaccinations.

Common Causes of Death in Adult Goldendoodles

• Cancer: Unfortunately, goldendoodles are prone to cancer.
  
  The most common type of cancer that affects goldendoodles is lymphoma, which is a cancer of the lymph nodes.
  
  There is also bone cancer which is less common, but still affects goldendoodles.
• Addison's Disease: Addison's disease is a condition that affects the adrenal glands and can cause weakness, weight loss and vomiting.
  
  The body of the dog is not able to produce enough of the hormone cortisol, which can lead to death.
  
  This sickness is treatable.
• Bloat: Bloat is a condition that can affect any dog, but it is more common in deep-chested dogs such as goldendoodles.
  
  Bloat happens when the stomach fills with gas and twists. This can cut off the blood supply to the stomach and cause death.
  
  The only way to cure it is through surgery.
• Hyperthyroidism: Hyperthyroidism is a condition that affects the thyroid gland and can cause weight loss, increased appetite, and increased thirst.
  
  If left untreated, it can lead to death.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do medium goldendoodles live?

Medium goldendoodles usually live for around 10 to 15 years, but some may live longer if they are well-cared for.

How long do f1b goldendoodles live?

F1b goldendoodles have a lifespan of around 10 to 16 years.

How long do female goldendoodles live?

If neutered, female goldendoodles live for an average of 16 years. If not neutered, they live for around 14 years.

Are Goldendoodles Prone to Cancer?

Yes, unfortunately Goldendoodles are prone to two types of cancer, Lymphoma and Osteosarcoma.

Are Goldendoodles Prone to Seizures?

Yes, goldendoodles are prone to seizures as both of their parent breeds, Poodles and Golden Retrievers are likely to suffer from seizures.

Conclusion

Goldendoodles are loving and loyal dogs that make great family pets. They are relatively healthy compared to other breeds, but like all dogs, they are prone to certain health conditions.

But with the proper care, goldendoodles can live long and happy lives.

If you are thinking about getting a goldendoodle, make sure you are prepared to commit to taking care of them for many years to come.