A dog can be like another member of your family, though they never live as long as we do. So, if you’re wondering how long Goldendoodles live for, you’re in the right place. Let’s look at the average life expectancy of the different-sized Goldendoodles so that you know how long you can expect to spend with your lovable bear.
How Long Do Goldendoodles Live?
Goldendoodles live on average 10 to 15 years. Smaller sizes live longer, averaging around 12 to 16 years. Taking care of your Goldendoodle’s health through grooming, diet, and exercise will help maximize lifespan.
Genetics of Goldendoodle Life Expectancy
Poodle Life Expectancy
Poodles, which make up at least half of the genetics of the Goldendoodle, have relatively long lifespans considering their size. Poodles live about 12 to 16 years on average.
This is a lot longer than the lifespan of the Golden Retriever. However, it is important to note that very few Poodles die of old age. Instead, many die of cancer, which the breed is very prone to.
Golden Retriever Life Expectancy
Unlike Poodles, Golden Retrievers do not come in a variety of different sizes. They only come in one, standard size, and live approximately 10 to 12 years.
This is partially due to the fact that they are larger. But, they are also susceptible to certain cancers.
Goldendoodle Life Expectancy
The life expectancy of the Goldendoodle is a rather large range. Overall, it depends on the Poodle that was used, and the ultimate size and inherited conditions of the Goldendoodle.
On average, Goldendoodles live about 10 to 15 years.
Keep in mind, like a lot of dogs, towards the very end of their full lives, they may need to be put down due to diseases they have inherited genetically. Very few of them live comfortable lives in their last few days.
Genetics of Goldendoodle Life Expectancy Summarized (Teacup, Mini, Medium, and Standard)
As mentioned above, the life expectancy of a Goldendoodle can be difficult to estimate. A vast range needs to be given in order to represent the breed. This is largely because of the different sizes Goldendoodles come in: Teacup, Mini, Medium, and Standard size.
In order to simplify it slightly. Let’s look at the table below.
| Goldendoodle Size | Life Expectancy |
| Teacup | 12 to 16 years |
| Miniature | 12 to 15 years |
| Medium | 10 to 15 years |
| Standard | 10 to 15 years |
How Goldendoodle Size Affects Life Expectancy
We can clearly see that Goldendoodle size affects life expectancy. There are many reasons for this.
The first is that all small dog breeds generally live longer than larger ones. Some think this is because smaller dogs age slightly slower, but this has yet to be proven.
The second reason is that Goldendoodles of different sizes may suffer from different health conditions, or lead different lifestyles. One such example is bloat.
Bloat is a condition that can be deadly if not diagnosed and treated in a very short period of time. It is very rare for smaller dogs to suffer from it. It is very prevalent in the larger Goldendoodles though.
How Generation Affects Goldendoodle Lifespan
When getting a Poodle-hybrid, there are various things that make certain generations better for some than others. But does generation affect the lifespan of a Goldendoodle?
Yes, it can.
Because the Golden Retriever has such a short lifespan in comparison to the Poodle, backcrossed Goldendoodles (F1B) may live longer than F1 Goldendoodles. This is because they are more Poodle. You can read more on Goldendoodle generations in our article: Goldendoodle Generations Explained (F1, F1b, F1bb, F2, F2b, and more).
However, it is also important to take hybrid vigor into account.
It is difficult to predict how certain combinations will age though. It is not possible for breeders to make accurate estimates until 10 to 15 years have passed, and by then the dogs used for breeding would no longer be producing litters.
Maximize your Goldendoodle’s Lifespan
As we have seen above, there are many things that need to be taken into account in order to determine how long a Goldendoodle may live. We have also seen that many Goldendoodles do not die natural deaths, but suffer from cancers and other diseases.
However, there are certain aspects of your Goldendoodle’s life that you can control. These may help it live longer.
Provide Enough Exercise
Some Goldendoodles need several hours of exercise every day. Not everyone can provide this level of exercise, which means the dog suffers.
Lack of exercise can lead to an increase in stress, which can reduce lifespan. It can also increase the prevalence of heart disease – especially if there is already a genetic predisposition – and canine obesity.
Giving your Goldendoodle enough exercise every day will keep it happy and healthy.
High-Quality Diet with Glucosamine
Goldendoodles suffer from joint issues. A lot of people end up having to put their dogs down when joint issues become very severe. This is because their dogs are no longer able to stand by themselves, and any movement causes them great pain.
There is no definite way to prevent joint issues, but you can delay them with adequate nutrition.
Consider adding joint supplements with glucosamine like this one to your Goldendoodle’s diet if you are worried that it is showing signs of dysplasia or other joint issues.
In my experience, this supplement may be useful even after your dog shows signs of joint issues. It may improve overall mobility, albeit only slightly.
Making sure that your Goldendoodle has enough protein is also critical. Especially when they are younger, protein is important to support muscle growth and repair in this very active dog breed.
Regular Grooming
Grooming is not necessarily something that everyone thinks of when they consider what they can do to lengthen the lifespan of their dogs, but it is very important. This is especially true for Goldendoodles.
Regular brushing removes dirt and a build-up of allergens from the coat. Loose hair can otherwise end up in your Goldendoodle’s digestive system or on furniture where it could cause allergies.
While regular bathing with a mild shampoo reduces odors while keeping the coat healthy.
Keeping nails trimmed reduces discomfort caused by overgrown nails and improves mobility.
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, has been linked to an increased occurrence of heart issues too. This is likely because of the increase in bacteria, which may affect the valves of the heart.
Goldendoodles are also at risk, so make sure you brush their teeth regularly.
All of these activities combined help keep your Goldendoodle in peak condition which can lead to a longer life expectancy for your dog.
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