What Is the Goldendoodle Life Expectancy? (Answered!)

A dog’s one flaw is that it does not live as long as we do. Dog’s life cycles are much quicker than human ones in every way.

They have different life expectancies based on many factors: breed, diet, healthy versus unhealthy lifestyle, health conditions, etc. I wondered what a Goldendoodle’s life expectancy was, and what factors play a role in determining it.

I also wondered what can be done to prolong a Goldendoodle’s life, and what can be done to maximize its chance to live the longest it can. This article details my findings.

What Is the Life Expectancy of a Goldendoodle?

Feeding your Goldendoodle a high-quality dog food, whether it is kibble or a human-grade diet, contributes the most to the longevity of its life. Like humans, dogs need to consume many nutrients, vitamins, and minerals on a daily basis to be healthy.

All of these things come from their food. A high-quality dog food that is formulated specially for a large breed and the age range of your pup will have the necessary percentages of protein, fats, calcium and other nutrients to maintain its health.

It is also important that your dog eats a healthy amount of food a day. Overeating is common for any dog, not just Goldendoodles.

Goldendoodles are an energetic breed that need a lot of exercise and physical and mental stimulation.

Long walks and at least an hour of playtime at the park or yard a day is optimal. Proper exercise, along with a proper diet, ensures that your pup maintains a healthy weight, strong bones and lean muscles.

Obesity in dogs is the #1 reason dogs pass away prematurely. Proper diet and lots of exercise can significantly increase your Goldendoodle’s life span.

What are the most common health issues that affect a Goldendoodle’s life span?

Hip dysplasia, bloat, Von Willebrand’s disease, arthritis, and chronic pain, and infections are common conditions that greatly affect a Golden doodle’s health and the longevity of its life.

Hip dysplasia is a deformity in the hips where the joints in the hip rub and grate against each other instead of gliding smoothly and causes pain. This affects the dog’s ability to move and exercise, hindering the maintenance of a healthy weight and quality of life.

Arthritis and chronic pain can affect your Goldendoodle in the same ways. These are conditions that present later in its life, and can be prevented by, in addition to the proper diet, multivitamins that contain glucosamine and chondroitin. Omega-3 fatty acids also help to keep the joints lubricated well to maintain adequate function.

Goldendoodles are deep-chested dogs, so bloat is common health risk for them. Also known as gastric dilatation volvulus, bloat occurs when gas, food, and or fluid gets trapped in your dog’s stomach and causes it to expand.

The enlargement blocks blood circulation to other organs and presses against the spine. This is a medical emergency that can be fatal to your dog. Avoid this by feeding your dog on the floor rather than on an elevated platform, and if they eat too quickly, use a slow-feeder bowl.

Von Willebrand’s disease is a blood disease that affects proper clotting of the blood. It is a protein deficiency that affects the number of platelets that cause clotting to heal lacerations.

Von Willebrand’s is a genetic disease, so it can’t necessarily be prevented. However, purchasing your dog from a reputable breeder and educating yourself on the parents of your Goldendoodle can help determine early if your dog has a predisposition to the disease.

Regular vet visits and getting all of the precautionary exams and blood tests done annually can help you learn if your dog has Von Willebrand’s disease. If your dog tests positively for it, treating the disease as early as possible can prolong your dog’s life and make it the happiest.

Infections are another common health risk to Goldendoodles. Ear infections can be a recurring issue because of the dog’s long hairy ears. Moisture and dirt can get trapped in and cause an infection and attract mites that can further damage the dog’s ear. Keeping your Goldendoodle’s ears clean and dry can prevent ear infections.

Bacterial infections can occur in the same ways they do in humans. Improper cleaning of cuts and scrapes, ingesting spoiled or infected food, and fur mats can cause bacterial infections.

Flea and tick infestations also contribute to a dog’ s infection. Pay attention to what your dog eats and drinks, and clean and disinfect cuts and scrapes to avoid infections. Additionally, keep your Goldendoodle mat-free and well-groomed to avoid parasite infestations.

Physical and Mental Health Helps Your Goldendoodle Live Longer

Earlier I mentioned that daily exercise contributes to your Goldendoodle’s life expectancy. Physical health goes hand-in-hand with mental health.

Don’t you feel great after you have walked, hiked, or run a mile or two? The same goes for your Goldendoodle. Exercise lets your dog burn energy and release the endorphins that makes them feel happy.

Mental health plays a large part of any being’s overall health. Goldendoodles inherit their energy and playfulness from their Golden Retriever parentage. Physical activity supports their mental state.

Inactivity can increase their chances of developing depression and anxiety. Both of these conditions can lead to harmful and destructive behaviors which can decrease their life span— or provoke a medical emergency that can be fatal, such as a blockage.

Goldendoodles are also incredibly intelligent. Mental stimulation can greatly affect them and their life span. Learning tricks and commands maintain their mental and physical health (and prevents a lot of accidents and medical emergencies).

Interactive dog toys like treat dispensers, vocabulary buttons, and puzzles do wonders to keep your Goldendoodle mentally engaged. They are also great opportunities for bonding time between you and your dog, which increases their happiness and mental state.

Veterinary Care and Annual Checkups

Just like humans, annual physical checkups and tests positively impacts a dog’s overall health. Any physical or internal issues that your Goldendoodle may be suffering from that haven’t surfaced in the way of symptoms can be spotted as early as possible and addressed.

Problems like hip dysplasia and Von Willebrand’s disease can be detected early and treated to ensure that your pup has the best quality of life possible and live as long and as happy as possible.

Getting annual tests can also detect and nutrient deficiencies or food allergies that can negative affect your dog’s health and decrease their life span.

You and your vet can work together to address these problems and fix them so that your dog is not malnourished and to prevent future health issues. A good relationship with your vet can immensely increase your dog’s years on Earth in these ways.

Do all you can to make sure your dog is healthy. The reward for it is having your best friend for the longest time possible.

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