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How Long Do Golden Retriever Live

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Keep Your Dog At A Good Weight

7 Tips to help your Golden Retriever Live Longer

If youâre not sure what your golden should weigh, check with your vet.

Generally, a golden should have a well-defined waistline.

He shouldnât appear plump or chubby. Instead, he should appear lean.

You shouldnât be able to see his ribs, but you should be able to feel them with a light layer of fat covering them.

So donât overfeed him.

And make sure that he receives enough exercise according to his age and health.

A nice long walk, swimming, and playing can all help keep him fit and trim.

And heâll be happier being active. But make sure you check with your vet before starting any exercise program.

Excess weight strains every major body system and predisposes a dog to joint disorders, hypertension, diabetes, and congestive heart failure.

Golden Retriever Lifespan And Cancer

Golden Retrievers have one of the highest cancer rates of any dog breed, with more than half of all Goldens dying from cancer.

The reasons for the spike in cancer rates in the Golden Retriever are not fully understood, but a fairly recent genetic mutation seems to be one culprit.

Some of the strongest evidence for a genetic mutation is the notable different rates of cancer in American Golden Retrievers and European Golden Retrievers. Less than 40% of European Goldens die from cancer, while more than 60% of American Goldens die from cancer.

In fact, Golden Retrievers who develop lymphoma and hemangiosarcoma commonly have genetic alterations that make them more prone to the cancers.

Since, like all registered dog breeds, Golden Retriever populations are closed to other dog breeds, these genes are being passed down at higher rates without healthier DNA being introduced to the population.

Furthermore, according to the 2015 Golden Retriever Lifetime Study, Golden Retrievers are more likely to die of bone cancer, lymphoma, and blood cancer than any other dog breed.

The popularity of the Golden Retriever is also partly responsible for the higher rate of cancer.

Popular dog breeds are bred more frequently and more indiscriminately than less common dog breeds, with careless breeders throwing any two Golden Retrievers together to make puppies without any consideration for the health problems of genetic lines of the parents.

How Long Do Golden Retrievers Live Your Question Answered

No one wants to think about losing their pet.

We all want our dogs to live forever because theyre our fur babies. That said, it helps to know how long our golden retrievers will live so we can ensure we give them a healthy life that could potentially increase their lifespan.

Do golden retrievers have a long lifespan?

Golden retrievers generally live for between 10 and 12 years.

With that in mind, heres everything you need to know about golden retrievers stages of life. Well start by looking at whether or not large dogs in general tend to live shorter lives.

Also Check: Golden Retriever Puppies Without Papers

Tip #: Fix Your Dog But Not Too Early

According to this research article, dogs that are fixed may live longer than those who are not.

And, according to this article, dogs that are fixed a little later in life may be better off than dogs who are fixed too early .

Interestingly enough, theres also evidence that suggests fixed men may live longer than intact men, if were using canine terms here.

Ill let you decide how you want to process that information!

Study: Golden Retrievers Lifespan Dropped In 35 Years

How Long Do Golden Retrievers Live? (Lifespan &  Health)
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  • Back in the 1970s, Golden Retrievers routinely lived until 16 and 17 years old. Golden Retrievers are now living from 10 to 14 years old.

    Golden Retrievers die mostly of bone cancer, lymphoma and a cancer of the blood vessels more than any other breed in the country. Scientists from the Colorado-based Morris Animal Foundation picked up on this observation and are studying the popular Golden Retriever dog breed to find out why their lifespan has gotten shorter over the years and why cancer is so prevalent within this specific breed.

    The foundation recently invested $25 million in the study to launch the very first lifetime study of over 3,000 purebred Golden Retrievers after signing up the first dogs back in 2012. The nonprofit organization has explained that reviewing the health conditions and environmental factors faced by Golden Retrievers all over the United States should also benefit other breeds and even humans, as 95 percent of the same DNA is shared between us, and dogs.

    This study is a groundbreaking endeavor to learn how to prevent cancer and other diseases, more efficiently, in dogs. It is the longest and largest observational study ever undertaken for the canine species, enrolling 3,000 Golden Retrievers and lasting anywhere from 10 to 15 years.

    Hero #2085

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    What Do Most Golden Retrievers Die From

    According to the study done by the Morris Animal Foundation, about 60% of Golden Retrievers are impacted by cancer, leading to this disease being the top cause of death for this breed.

    While genetic factors will have a role in the Golden Retrievers predisposition to certain types of cancers, most of these dogs die from bone cancer, lymphoma, and blood cancer.

    Death from cancer is more common in Golden Retrievers than any other canine breed.

    Spaying or neutering Golden Retrievers too young can allegedly increase the risk of certain types of cancers in this breed.

    In fact, a 10-month-old Golden Retriever that was diagnosed with uterine carcinoma became the youngest dog ever reported to have this cancer of the uterus.

    In addition, Golden Retrievers are also prone to skin cancer as their light coloring makes them susceptible to sunburn.

    Golden Retriever Lifespan: Everything You Need To Know

    When choosing a Golden as your lovely furry baby, you must have been aware that these mid to large-breed doggies do not have a very long life span.

    But one look into those angelic eyes melted your heart instantly and then there was no turning back.

    Your loveable ol Golden may be one of the most vibrant members of your house if not the most.

    But what most Golden Retriever owners are unaware of are the bundle of health issues that these purebred dogs are prone to which affects their life expectancy and lively spirit.

    So when your Golden hits his third year, remember he is no more a puppy but an adult dog. There is a certain care routine that you need to vigilantly follow with Goldens.

    Our article today covers every nitty gritty detail about Golden Retriever lifespan and what can you do to make your Golden Retriever live a healthy life. Ready for this value-packed read? Lets go then.

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    Ensure Your Golden Retriever Exercises Enough

    Besides their angelic fur, Golden Retrievers are also known for their high energy levels. With a Golden Retriever, you dont have to worry much about overexerting him with exercise. These dogs love their playtime, meaning you should dedicate enough time to keep him physically active.

    Discover how to train your Golden Retriever by playing games: 21 games to play with your Golden that will make them smarter and better behaved!

    Set aside an hour for evening or morning walks with your Golden Retriever. But if you cant manage to take him for walks, allow him to play around the backyard for an hour or two until hes tired.

    Youll also need to get creative and incorporate different physical activities to keep your Golden Retriever in tip-top shape. Tennis balls or frisbees are perfect for playing fetch. And since this breed loves swimming, its only fair that you take him swimming at least once or twice a month or even more often if you can.

    Keeping a Golden Retriever active will almost certainly eliminate the risk of obesity. Please note that as puppies, Golden Retrievers should be kept highly active to boost their development and strengthen their core muscles and bones.

    Strategies For Keeping Your Golden Retriever Healthy

    Can Golden Retrievers Live in an Apartment?

    There are plenty of strategies pet owners can implement to increase their Goldens likelihood of living to the higher end of the Golden Retrievers life expectancy.

    As a reminder, Golden Retrievers tend to live up to 12 but can live to be as old as 18 with proper care.

    There is a step you may take to ensure you have a healthy dog before they are even in your care.

    If you are in the process of adding a Golden Retriever to your family,

    make sure you purchase them from a reputable breeder. Dogs purchased from puppy mills, while cheap, tend to have terrible health issues.

    The rest of the Golden Retrievers health has to do with care.

    According to anecdotal evidence, the ticket to keeping your furry friend around for as long as possible can be boiled down into four categories: diet, hydration, exercise, and healthcare.

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    Give Them Ample Nutrition

    We all know that junk food shaves time off of human lives, and the same can be applied to our pets. Crummy dog food and straight-up malnutrition can dwindle down a dogs expected lifespan. On the other hand, feeding them the best dog food that are nutrient-rich and supplementing any nutritional deficiencies they have can keep your dog active and healthy for years to come.

    Lifespan Of Pure Bred And Mix Bredgolden Retriever

    The average life span of the purebred is 11-12 years. But though the mix breed 14 for 11-12 years on average, they are susceptible of specific ailment and requires vet frequent checkups and visit to vet. The mixed bred are more prone to genetic disorders and other diseases. Like dysplasia, glaucoma, thyroid disorders, etc.

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    Get A Healthy Puppy With Healthy Parents

    If you want to bring a Golden into your life, buy a puppy from a reputable breeder.

    Reputable breeders will test their dogs for health issues. Look for an OFA certification, which means both parents passed veterinary checks for things such as hip and elbow dysplasia and other genetic conditions.

    Good breeders will also ensure their puppies have the best start possible in life. They will be socialized both with their littermates and with humans, as well as exposed to a variety of sights, sounds, and smells.

    Other Golden Retriever Health Concerns

    How Old Does A Golden Retriever Live

    While cancer is the main cause of death in Golden Retrievers, there are a variety of other health concerns to be aware of in this breed.

    This dog does not do well under stressful situations, and Golden Retrievers that are left alone for too long or excluded from family activities can develop a variety of stress-induced chronic conditions.

    Stress in a dog leads to the release of cortisol and adrenaline which can negatively impact health and lead to a weakened immune system, loss of appetite or diarrhea, and urination problems.

    Other health ailments that can affect your Golden Retriever include gastrointestinal illnesses, urinary disease, gingivitis and gum disease, pathologic jaw fracture, kidney, liver and heart disease.

    About one-third of these dogs also get some form of skin disease or ear infection early on in life and so regular grooming is a necessity for these excessive shedders.

    Like most big dogs, Golden Retrievers are also prone to hip and joint problems.

    While this health issue might not lead to death, reduced mobility can greatly impact the quality of life of your Golden Retriever.

    Lots of exercise and a good diet will help to limit the impact of joint problems in this breed.

    Some other diseases to be aware of include hypothyroidism, eye disorders, mast cell tumors and seizures.

    Also Check: Dog House For Golden Retriever

    Fact #: Golden Retrievers Live An Average Of 10

    The average golden retriever lifespan is 10-12 years, which is about the same as other breeds of dogs their size.

    For comparison, German shepherds live between 7-10 years, and labradors live between 10-12 years.

    Smaller breeds typically live longer lives , while larger breeds typically live shorter lives .

    Of course, these are just averages, and many dogs live longer or shorter lives than these ranges.

    Exact Answer: 10 To 12 Years

    In this twenty-first century, the things which seemed next to impossible now come to their existence. Now, human life is comparatively easier than 50-60 years back, but it was not that easy thousands of years ago when the first time humans came into existence. At that time, people fought only for survival.

    Their lifestyle was very tough, and they are comparatively stronger than the twenty-first human begins. They took a lot of time to understand nature, its various phenomena and evolved itself to overcome the hurdle.

    When the first time humans started to settle in one place, then they realized the need for pets. They found dogs were very faithful and suitable for their work. Roughly around 30,000 years ago, first-time dogs became human pets.

    Now, a variety of dog breeds are found on the earth. Golden retrievers are one among them.

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    Keep Your Golden Retriever A Healthy Weight

    Obesity causes many of the same problems for dogs that it does for people such as diabetes, heart problems, cancer, high blood pressure, arthritis, and other health problems.

    In fact, obesity can shorten a dogs life by as much as 2 years!

    How can you tell if your Golden Retriever is a healthy weight?

    When your dog is standing up, you should be able to feel their ribs.

    If you cant feel your dogs ribs, they need to lose some weight. Talk to your vet about the ideal weight for your golden and how you can safely help them lose the excess weight and gain months or years to their lifespan.

    Can You Extend Your Golden Retrieverslifespan

    7 Mistakes That Shorten Your Golden Retrievers Life

    Otherfactors contribute to a shorter lifespan in the Golden Retriever. Sadly, wecant change our dogs genetic makeup. Having said that, did you know that youcan take steps to help extend the life of your Golden Retriever? Though thereis a lot thats out of our control when it comes to our pets health, we can doeverything within our power to keep our Golden Retrievers as healthy as possiblefor as long as possible.

    Lets takea look at how we may be able to help extend our Golden Retrievers lifespan andincrease the odds that they will be with you into their teen years. Keep inmind that these tips do not only apply to Golden Retrievers they arefantastic ways to give any dog a longer, healthier life.

    • Great nutrition Keeping on top of your dogs nutrition is key when it comes to increasing their lifespan. A poor diet increases inflammation in the body which raises the odds of inflammation-related diseases. Illnesses and conditions that are directly caused by poor nutrition in dogs include obesity, pancreatitis, bladder stones, heart disease, and diarrhea. A good rule of thumb is to look for limited-ingredient dog food and avoiding those with first ingredients of meat by-product or meal.

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    Ingredients Label On Dog Food

    This will tell you what product has been used inside of the dog food but does not guarantee to tell you where it came from. Quality is another topic that may not be discussed on the label of any dog food product.

    This is not something that is a huge factor to the majority the main focus is to know what product as used in the product. A great product will ensure a good balance of nutritional value in every bite.

    Lifespan Of A Golden Retriever

    As previously mentioned, a Golden Retrievers average lifespan is between 10 and 12 years. Having said that, its been known for a Golden retriever to live up to 20 years of age in extraordinary circumstances.

    In fact, as recently as the 1970s, Golden retrievers regularly had an average lifespan closer to 16 or 17 years old. What happened!? There is a long-term study being undertaken by the Morris Animal Foundation that hopes to be able to answer that question in the next few years.

    In the meantime, well have to use some common sense and anecdotal evidence that indicates there are several factors that contribute to increasing the longevity of our Golden retrievers. These include diet, exercise, social interaction, and healthcare.

    Recommended Reading: How Big Is A 3 Month Old Golden Retriever

    Golden Retrievers As Pets

    Golden Retrievers are an extremely popular dog. No doubt, this popularity comes from the fact that they are extremely suitable pets. Theyre friendly, intelligent, and extremely devoted to their owners. However, one of the first things you should find out before potentially adopting a new pet is their lifespan.

    After all, your pet will depend on your for care its whole life, and you must be sure that you can actually provide care for the animal for the whole time it is alive. In this article, well answer the question, How long do Golden Retrievers live? and discuss what factors affect a Golden Retrievers lifespan.

    Faqs Related To Golden Retriever Lifespan

    Pin on Love Cats &  Dogs

    1) Can a golden retriever live for 15 years?

    Yes, they can. Even though it is a rare occurrence but is still possible. On average, the Golden Retriever life expectancy is 10 to 12 years according to American Kennel Club .

    There is a decline noticed in their life span with passing time as the average Golden Retriever lifespan in the 1970s was 16 to 17 years which has been now reduced to 10 to 12 years.

    2) What is the most common cause of death among Golden Retrievers?

    Cancer is the most common cause of death in Golden Retrievers. Approximately around 60 percent of the deaths are caused by cancer in Golden.

    If we split it down by gender, 56 percent of deaths are caused by cancer in female Golden Retrievers and around 66 percent in males.

    3) How can you take care of a senior golden retriever?

    A senior Golden Retriever needs a specific care routine to stay healthy.

    • Make sure that you are not negligent while feeding your dog. The diet you are giving to your Golden is crucial. Keep a lid on low-quality dog food with lesser nutritional values. Proteins, minerals, and vitamins are essential to keep your dog away from future diseases.

    • If the dog food does not have adequate nutrition, take aid from supplements. Keep your Goldies hydrated with fluids. This help flushes out toxins and prevents kidney damage.

    • Watching over your Goldens weight by not overfeeding him is not being cruel. Obesity can prove to be savage for their health.

    Feture images source: unsplash.com

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