With their warm, soulful eyes and irresistibly silky fur, Labradoodles have become one of the most popular dog breeds on the market.

But how long do they live? How many years can you look forward to with your sweet little snuggler?

Let’s take a look at some basic facts about Labradoodles and life expectancy.

How long do Labradoodles live?

Labradoodles live around 12 – 15 years on average. This is assuming that they don’t have any underlying health problems and are active, happy, and well-adjusted dogs.

Some studies suggest that smaller dogs live longer than larger dogs, so if your Labradoodle has a Miniature or Toy Poodle for a parent as opposed to a Standard Poodle, they might get a couple more years.

Every dog is different, however, so there are no guarantees when it comes to the amount of time that you’ll have with your Labradoodle. This is why it’s important to cherish every moment!

Do Labradoodles have a lot of health problems?

Labradoodles can be predisposed to several health conditions. Most are hereditary, so there’s nothing that you can do to prevent them, and it’s not your fault if they develop in your pup. It’s just a bad draw from the genetic lottery.

Here are a few things to watch out for in your Labradoodle:

• Vision loss. Labradoodles can develop a number of eye problems, including cataracts and eye-related diseases like progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). The latter can lead to blindness.
• Dysplasia. Dysplasia is a condition where joints and sockets fail to develop as they should. In Labradoodles, it tends to strike in the hips, but it can also appear in the elbows and other areas of the body. It makes movement painful and can even stunt the growth of young puppies who develop it early in life.
• Von Willebrand’s disease. This is a disease where the blood doesn’t clot properly. It’s rarely fatal, but it can require a lot of extra care to prevent or treat injuries.
• Addison’s disease. Addison’s disease is related to the pituitary gland. It can cause a wide variety of symptoms, including nausea, diarrhea, lethargy, weight loss, and shakes.

Your Labradoodle might not develop any of these conditions. They might live a long, full life without suffering anything worse than a bellyache when they get into the peanut butter!

It’s just important to know the risks before you bring home a new dog. If you aren’t physically, mentally, and financially prepared to deal with these problems should they arise, it might not be the best time for you to adopt.

How can you extend the life of your Labradoodle?

You’ll want that cold nose to wake you up for many mornings to come, so how can you increase the life expectancy of your Labradoodle?

Diet

A well-balanced diet is essential for the health and happiness of your pooch. Here are a few tips for choosing the right stuff:

• Look for natural, organic ingredients. Avoid strange and unpronounceable additives.
• If your dog has any health problems causing issues like gas or diarrhea, invest in specialty foods that can limit their symptoms.
• Consider signing up for a delivery plan that will ensure the quality of your pet’s food even when your life gets busy. Something like Pet Plate is great.

Exercise

Exercise is another important aspect of keeping your Labradoodle healthy. It has so many benefits that it’s hard to list them all!

• It can reduce the risk of obesity and other health problems.
• It can be used to treat the pain and stiffness of things like arthritis and hip dysplasia.
• It can provide physical and mental stimulation to keep your Labradoodle from getting bored, stressed, or destructive.
• It can tucker them out before you leave for the day, limiting their amount of separation anxiety.
• If you’re visiting the dog park, it can be a good way to socialize your pup.

Exercise is also a time-honored way of bonding with your pet, so if you’re looking to create happy memories together, grab a tennis ball, and get in some playtime!

Insurance

Pet insurance can be a literal lifesaver, especially when you own a Labradoodle. Not only can it reimburse you for things like emergency surgery, but it’s also great for vaccinations, check-ups, preventative meds and general health screenings.

The trick is knowing what pet insurance does and doesn’t cover:

• No pet insurance provider will cover pre-existing conditions.
• Only some will cover genetic, chronic or hereditary conditions.

Since Labradoodles are prone to several breed-specific health problems, you’ll want to make sure that your insurance provider doesn’t have any restrictions against them. Look for a brand like Pets Best Insurance that doesn’t charge extra for unlucky genes.

Wrapping up

How long do Labradoodles live? How can you maximize their life expectancy? These are just a few things to know about the life and health of Labradoodles.

Whether you’re adopting a young, excitable puppy or a senior dog that still has a lot of love to give, it’s always a good idea to do your research first. You’ll want to make every moment count with your fur baby!