Goldendoodle Lifespan: Making Life Expectancy “Golden” For Doodles

What is a Goldendoodle’s Lifespan?

Forever and always. If you’ve experienced the love of a Goldendoodle, I have a feeling that “forever and always” would be what you’d wish to see as the answer to the question, “What is a Goldendoodle’s lifespan?”

As the mom of a Goldendoodle named Chloe, it’s my wish.

So while I was thinking about how quickly the journey from Goldendoodle puppy days to senior status flies by, it seemed like it would be a disservice to our sweet Doodles to simply answer the Goldendoodle life expectancy question with an age range.

Rather, in addition to sharing the facts and figures around life expectancy, let’s help our Goldendoodles bust through those averages. Let’s investigate all the ways to go beyond the life expectancy average and get closer to “forever and always.”

A Goldendoodle’s life expectancy

The average lifespan for a Goldendoodle is 10 to 15 years.

To understand the basis for this range, let’s look at the life expectancy of the Goldendoodle parent breeds: the Golden Retriever and the Poodle.

According to the American Kennel Club’s facts about the Golden Retriever, 10 to 12 years is the average lifespan for a Golden Retriever. The average lifespan for a Poodle is 10-18 years.

Since the Goldendoodle is a hybrid cross between the Golden Retriever and Poodle, the life expectancy of the Goldendoodle falls within the same range.

Which leads me to this famous, touching, and too true quote…

“Dogs’ lives are too short. Their only fault, really”.

– Agnes Sligh Turnbull

Yet this is where the Goldendoodles’ glorious gusto for life comes into play. Like our Doodle dogs, rather than set limits and boundaries around a Goldendoodle life expectancy, let’s “expand the possible.” Let’s search for ways to help our Goldendoodles do zoomies around those averages!

Let’s turn the life expectancy and lifespan discussion into one about making every moment count and giving our Goldendoodle dogs the best and longest life possible!

What can you do to help your Goldendoodle live a longer life?

Ok! Now that we’re joining hands and paws to do everything in our power to stay ahead of the canine aging curve, we need a little inspiration!

So I dug up an interesting fact about the longest lifespan for a dog. Here’s what I learned:

Bluey, the world’s oldest dog, lived to be 29 years and five months! (For more on Bluey, read Dogster’s article about the world’s oldest dog.)

Wow! 29 healthy years would be GOLDEN! While there doesn’t seem to be much written about Bluey’s secrets, he is an inspiration for breaking the life expectancy averages for dogs. Here are a number of measures you can put in place for longevity for our Goldendoodle dogs:

Ideas for healthier Goldendoodle living

Exercise

Just like their human pals, exercise is good for the mind, the body, and the spirit. Giving your Goldendoodle plenty of walks, fetch, running in the backyard, and other activities are one of the greatest gifts you can share with your Dood.

Eating right

All those Instagram photos of Goldendoodles licking on yummy human treats are cute but…you know where I’m going. According to integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby:

1. Giving dogs table scraps and fatty foods is pancreatitis waiting to happen
2. Poodles are one of the breeds that have a slightly higher risk of developing pancreatitis.

Of course, pancreatitis is just one example of why eating right is important. (I used it since the Poodle—the Goldendoodle parent breed—is at a slightly higher risk.) To stay ahead of the longevity curve, ask your veterinarian about all the ways you can help your dog eat right.

Veterinary well-care visits

While on the subject of vets, visiting the vet is another way to help your Goldendoodle have the best chance at longevity. Avoiding health problems means scheduling ongoing, well-care visits with your veterinarian.

Maintaining a healthy weight

Sadly, according to a recent study by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, about 56% of dogs are overweight. Also, according to a website article on the Cummings Medical Center at Tufts University, the “estimated increased median lifespan of normal weight dogs over overweight dogs was six months to two years and six months.”

While I haven’t found a statistic on the number of overweight Goldendoodles, my gut tells me it has to be lower than average, especially due to the Goldendoodle energy level. What do you think? Learning how to maintain your Goldendoodle’s overall body condition score is another great topic to discuss with your vet.

Limiting stress

Can stress reduce a dog’s lifespan? I was curious. Interestingly, I found an article from Psychology Today about the affect fear and anxiety have on a dog’s lifespan.

So if stress can reduce a dog’s lifespan, the flip side (a stress-free life of spoiling your dog with endless love) has to be good for a Goldendoodle’s soul. While I haven’t found any research to confirm this, giving your doggo that spa day, extra rest by your side, and keeping the happiness factory flowing might help!

Brushing your dog’s teeth

Do you have a minute? Yes, 60 seconds a day is all it takes to brush your dog’s teeth! According to the American Animal Hospital Association’s 2019 guidelines, “Avoiding and managing the inflammation, pain, and potential for systemic infection associated with periodontal disease are strong contributors to the pet’s quality of life and longevity.” (For tips, please read my article on how to brush your dog’s teeth.)

Pet insurance

With so many veterinary medical treatment options available, our dogs can receive extraordinary medical care. The idea that a treatment exists, but that we could not afford it for our furry family member? Unthinkable. For me, pet insurance is peace of mind that, if a dog emergency strikes or Chloe needs life-saving surgery, we can give her the best care possible.

Through the years

Finally, since you’ve read to the end of this article, maybe you’re curious to see what one Doodle’s life looks like from Goldendoodle puppyhood to adulthood. Here is a photo gallery of Happy-Go-Doodle Chloe as a puppy and as an adult Goldendoodle at the age of six.

Chloe’s first picture…

Age one…

Chloe at age three…

At six years old, she still looks like a puppy. In fact, many people are surprised when we say that she’s six years old…

However, if you look closely, all the happy years we’ve had together show around the eyes. I like to call those white hairs “silver linings of love.”

The countless moments of Goldendoodle love, smiles, and happiness that our fluffy Muppets share are priceless. So let me leave you with one more quote to inspire your journey with your Goldendoodle…

Grow old with me. The best is yet to be. – Robert Browning

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How old is your Goldendoodle?

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