Can Labrador live for 20 years

Dog Life Expectancy Chart: How Long Do Dogs Live?

Larger animals tend to live longer than smaller ones (most of the time). Think about it: humans live longer than cats, which live longer than a rat, which live longer than a fly. But why isnt this true when it comes to animals within the same species, like dogs and even humans?

Looking at ourselves, a person who weighs 150 pounds will most likely live longer than a person who weighs 300 pounds. They live longer because of increased health risks for a person who weighs 300 pounds. The same goes for larger vs smaller dogs.

When it comes to dogs life expectancy, how can you compare a Great Dane to a Chihuahua? Their anatomic builds are completely different, and their lifespans reflect this. Beyond size, is there an average dog lifespan based on breed or other factors? Yes. I explore the answers to these questions: How long do dogs live? and What is the dog lifespan by breed?

What Determines A Dogs Lifespan?

Are you curious about ways you can help your pup live a longer, happier life? Below are some factors that help determine a canines lifespan.

Care

As an owner, you can impact the care you provide for your dog. Think of yourself as your dogs parent. A dog with a proper, nutritious diet and exercise can live longer than one without. In addition, taking your furry friend to the veterinarian for annual wellness exams and getting her booster shots can result in a healthy dog with a longer lifespan.

Size

Research shows thatlarger dogs live for a shorter period of time compared to smaller ones. For example, an Irish Wolfhound (average 115 pounds) has an average lifespan of eight years, while a Jack Russell Terrier (average of 15 pounds) can live up to 13-16 years. Medium-size dogs like the French Bulldog live between 10 and 13 years. Below, you can see the average lifespan of dogs based on size.

• Small dogs: 10-15 Years
• Medium dogs: 10-13 Years
• Large Dogs: 10-12 years
• Giant Dogs: 8-10 years

Purebred Dogs vs Mixed-Breed Dogs

Inbreeding or pure breeding can reduce canines lifespans. Cross-breed dogs have a longer lifespan than purebred dogs due to greater genetic diversity. Purebred dogs are at risk of carrying genes for illnesses that are common to that specific breed. Further, mutts who have at least two breeds tend to have the fewest health problems and live longer than their purebred counterparts.

Not Sure Of Your Dogs Breed Mix?

If you are unsure of your dogs breed mix, try a DNA test kit to find out. Options like Wisdom Panel can give detailed insight into your pups breed as well as genetic health conditions. Learn more in our full Wisdom Panel review with personal experience.

Spayed Or Neutered

Spaying and neutering a puppy at a relatively young age can positively affect a dogs lifespan. Most studies recommend surgical sterilization before five months of age for small breed dogs and 12-15 months for larger breed house dogs.

Studies suggest that these surgeries can help reduce the risk of some types of cancer in dogs especially cancers affecting the ovaries, breast, and testicles.

Recent studies show that these benefits may or may not be completely accurate, but there is no question that your life will be easier without a litter of puppies, and this will be less stress on your pup, which could mean a longer life.

Canine Genetic Age Testing With A DNA Test

Do you want to find out your pets biological age? Embark makes it simple to determine your dogs true age with its Dog Age Test which measures your pups DNA methylation. As your dog ages, the level of DNA methylation changes in a predictable way.

Embark uses the amount and position of DNA methylation as a type of clock to estimate age. Order a kit, send in your sample, and get the results back in four to five weeks. Visit Embark DNAs website to learn more and buy a test.

Dog Breed Life Expectancy Chart: 20 Most Popular U.S Breeds

Below is a dog life expectancy chart sorted by the 20 most popular registered breeds in the US.

What Is The Longest Living Dog Breed?

Small breeds with long noses are generally the longest-lived. Chihuahuas are usually referred to as the breed with the longest lifespan. They average 15-20 years and are one of the smallest dog breeds. In 2023, Spike, a Chihuahua from Ohio, was given the title of oldest dog living at the ripe old age of 24.

The Australian Cattle Dog is known for having one of the longest life expectancies. There are records of Australian Cattle Dogs that have lived 20 years or longer. In fact, the longest-living dog verified, according to Guinness World Records, was a female Australian Cattle Dog named Bluey, who lived 29 years and five months.

10 Longest Lived Dog Breeds

Recent research published in the journal Scientific Reports in February 2024 examined the longevity of companion animals. The researchers studied over 580,000 companion pups. This study revealed a wealth of information on the differences in breed life expectancy. The ten dog breeds that are least likely to have an early death and their average life expectancy are listed below, according to this research.

10 Dogs With Short Life Expectancies

Youll notice that most dogs in this chart are larger breeds. As mentioned above, larger dogs tend to have shorter lifespans than smaller ones. Some believe this is because large breeds age more quickly. For example, a Great Dane can gain 100 pounds from its day of birth to its first birthday, whereas a Shih Tzu can weigh up to 15 pounds in its entire lifespan. Below is a table of 10 dogs with short lifespans.

Dog Breeds At Risk Of An Early Death

A breeds average lifespan does not determine how long any individual dog is going to live. Some breeds are at a higher risk of early death, even if they have a fairly long expected lifespan. French Bulldogs, for example, though highly popular, are one breed to be aware of. While an adorable and fantastic pet, the Frenchie is predisposed to poor health. Due to their flat faces, this and other brachycephalic breeds are prone to respiratory issues.

The Caucasian Shepherd, Presa Canario, Cane Corso, Mastiff, Saint Bernard, Bloodhound, Affenpinscher, Neapolitan Mastiff, and Bulldog are other breeds identified in recent studies as having a high risk of earlier death.

Common Causes Of An Early Death For Dogs

Unfortunately, expected and average lifespans are just estimates. Many things can cause a dog to live less than its breeds expected longevity. In dogs younger than two years old, infectious diseases, trauma, sudden illness, and congenital diseases are the leading causes of early death. Larger pups are more susceptible to cancer, which is the leading cause of early death in bigger breeds.

Canine obesity also affects lifespan and can cause early death. The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention estimates up to 59% of dogs in the United States, Canada, and Europe are overweight or obese. Research done by Banfield Pet Hospital shows that dogs can lose up to two and a half years of their lifespan if they are overweight.

How Can I Extend My Dogs Life?

If you could give your dog medication to help keep her in your life longer, would you buy it? Thats precisely whatLoyal is working on right now. Loyal is a team of vets, scientists, and dog lovers striving toward reducing underlying causes of aging in dogs and delaying disease by developing a drug.

Also, consider pet insurance for your pup to help extend their lifespan as much as possible by getting them vet care when needed without worrying about the cost. Insurance cannot directly increase your pups lifespan, but insured dogs often live longer because their owners take them to the vet when something pops up, which allows vets to diagnose and address a condition sooner. Read ourpet insurance reviewsto learn more and get a quote for your dog in our short form below.

There are other ways to help keep your dog healthy and help her live a longer life. The best thing you can do is give your dog adequate exercise daily and make sure youre feeding them a healthy, well-rounded diet. All-natural, fresh dog food is gaining in popularity, and perhaps its something youd like to consider for your pup. Weve tried and reviewed some of the best dog food delivery servicesto help you decide if youd prefer a more traditional kibble or fresh, homemade dog food.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are hundreds of questions about dog lifespan. Below, Ive covered a few of the most frequently asked. If I didnt get to yours, let me know in the comments.

Do female dogs live longer than male dogs?

In some cases, yes. Spayed female dogs live much longer than intact males. Spayed and neutered male and female dogs both live longer than those left intact. Among intact dogs, males tend to live a little longer.

Can a dog live 20 years?

In some cases, dogs can live 20 years, but that is a very old age for a dog. This leads to another question: Can dogs live 30 years? It is incredibly rare for a dog to live 30 years, but there have been claims of such. To date, none of these claims have been verified.

Does having puppies really shorten a dogs lifespan?

This is a widespread theory but not necessarily true. Simply becoming a mother dog and carrying puppies does not shorten a female dogs lifespan. Pregnancy comes with risks, and having puppies too early or too late in life can further the complications and risks. Learn more about dog pregnancy tests here. Older dogs are at a much higher risk of complications and even death during pregnancy. A dogs overall health and care at the time of pregnancy are also factors.

An Active Pup Is A Healthy Pup

Regardless of breed, keeping your pup active will help them live a healthy and happy life. All breeds, regardless of size, need daily exercise. A daily walk is a special bonding time, keeps you active, and is good for your health, too. Learn more in our guide about how often and how long to walk your dog. We also cover step-by-step instructions on how to teach your dog to fetch. A simple yet timeless game, chasing after that ball never gets old and is top-notch canine exercise.

Why Trust Canine Journal

Danielle has shared a special bond with dogs since childhood. She has over 30 years of experience with breeds of all sizes and dogs with special needs. Danielle is a dedicated professional researcher and pet product reviewer. She spends countless hours researching the latest pet care, health, food, and training developments to help owners learn whats behind the label.

Labrador Lifespan: Life Expectancy And How To Prolong It

Key Takeaways

• The lifespan of yellow and black Labradors is longer than chocolate Labs by 10%.
• While yellow and black Labradors have an average lifespan of about 12 years, chocolate Labs only have 10.
• Although a dog owner cannot control the genetic factors to Labrador lifespan, there are many events throughout the dogs life that can contribute to a longer fuller life which the owner can influence.

On average, a Labrador Retriever will have a lifespan of about 12 to 12 1/2 years. Recent studies have suggested the yellow and black Labs will live longer than chocolate Labradors, which only live to 10.7 years on average. As with any dog, his diet, as well as inherited diseases and healthcare, will influence his lifespan.

Labs are one of the most popular dog breeds and I perfectly understand why. They are friendly, loyal, and highly intelligent, so its no wonder that many pet parents want to know how how long their furry friends are going to be in their lives. Remember that thislifespanisnt a guarantee for every Lab since some live a lot longer than just 12 while some dont even make it to 10. As I alway remind pet parents, there are two important factors that help to influence how long dogs liveand they impact a Labradors life expectancy as well as the lifespan of any canine. These factors include the genetic information that your dog has inherited from his parents as well as all the other events that will happen to your dog over his life including disease, accidents, and injury.

How Long Will A Labrador Retriever Live?

The statistics for lifespans are often pretty inaccurate and sometimes based on information that is outdated. Fortunately, now we have a lot more data than we used to from scientific studies. Studies have placed the average Labrador lifespan at 12 years, but this information is also evolving with some evidence that the Labrador Retriever lifespan might be increasing.

How Do You Help Your Labrador Retriever Live A Long Life?

Genes

All purebred Labradors will inherit several Labrador characteristics that he shares with other Labs. While they control the length of a dogs tail, his ear shape, and coat color, it also determines the dogs susceptibility to disease and temperament.

Labrador Body Shape

Labradors are pretty lucky in that they inherit a pretty sound body shape. They dont have to deal with short legs or long spines that cause a dog to have back problems. With nicely proportioned bodies, they are designed well for jumping and running.

A Labrador will also not have to deal with breathing issues that result in shortened faces or a small skull that may cause damage to their brains. Plus, they dont have a lot of fur or excess skin, which helps to promote an overall healthier dog.

Temperament

Temperament is also somewhat controlled by genes. Not only does it affect some aspects of a Labs behavior, but it also determines his ability to complete specific tasks like fetching things, hunting, and running.

A Dogs tendency to be fearful is also influenced by his genes as well as environmental factors. Studies have shown that anxiety and fear can actually shorten a dogs lifespan. If a dog has behavior issues or is aggressive, he may also be euthanized if he cant be controlled.

Temperament is a big factor when you are considering a dogs lifespan. Its also possible for a dog to inherit several favorable genes, which will improve the possibility of having overall good health like a reduced risk of cancer. They then, in turn, can pass on these favorable genes to their own Labrador puppies.

Inherited Diseases

Even though Labradors are a relatively healthy breed, some diseases can influence just how long your Labrador Retriever will live. And, it also affects how healthy that dog will be during his lifetime. Certain diseases like CNM, degenerative joint disease, and hip dysplasia can be tested before you use the dog for breeding. However, other diseases, like cancer, do not have tests available, and Labrador Retrievers tend to be more susceptible to some cancers than other breeds.A dog DNA test can often be revealing in terms of genetic predispositions your dog may have.

Inbreeding

Like any pedigree dog breed, specific genetic disorders have established themselves within the Labrador Retriever breed, which is largely due to breeding dogs that are closely related. Typically, the inbreeding coefficient for Labrador Retrievers is 6 percent, which is higher than the five percent level at which we start to see adverse effects of dogs inbreeding.

Size

Typically, a little dog will live longer than a big dog, which is a quirk of nature that is not entirely understood. In general, a dogs longevity is very strongly linked to his body size. But the reverse happens when you compare large mammal species like the elephant. For a domesticated dog, having a large size is a bit of a disadvantage. As a large to medium-sized dog, a Labrador will probably not live as long as a Chihuahua.

Comparing Pedigree Dogs

When we think about pedigree dogs overall, you will notice differences in lifespans between all of the breeds. And were not just talking about size, although that is important. There are also differences between breeds that are the same size.

Typically, breeds with short life spans can attribute it to poorconformation [1]. Some super tiny dogs have brain problems as the result of skull compression, hormone problems, and a wide range of other health problems. So, in comparison, a Labradors conformation is fairly healthy.

Coat Color

Previously, the color of your dogs coat was not thought to have any bearing on the lifespan of a Labrador Retriever. Basically, it was not thought that inherited diseases were linked to a particular type or color of Labrador Retriever.

However, studies have found that the lifespan of a black and yellow Lab is just over 12 years while a chocolate Labrador has a shorter lifespan of 10.7 years. Its not exactly known why, but chocolate coat of brown Labs make them prone to more skin and ear issues, which includes reaction to irritants like fleas.

How Long Will Labrador Retrievers Live?

The genetic factors are pretty much outside of your control unless you are able to select the dogs parents yourself. However, as your dog matures and grows, he will have life events which will influence his lifespan. Many of these events you will be able to control.

Roaming and Accidents

Since a lot of dogs die every year in an accident, its possible that many of these accidents could be avoided. Especially since accidents tend to be more common in those dogs that are left outside unsupervised. Its important to fence in your property securely or install an invisible dog fence to keep your dog from roaming. Also train your dog to come when called, which will help in case of an emergency.

Neutering

It was believed at one time that neutering helped to increase a dogs life expectancy. Older studies have shown a high death rate for dogs that are not neutered and attributed it to the dogs urge to mate causing him to roam farther away from home and possibly having more accidents.

However, more recent studies have actually linked neutering to a few serious health issues that include cancer and disease, which can are both leading causes of Labrador death and illness. So, neutering is no longer a clear-cut issue. Instead, control and training will be more helpful when ensuring that your dog lives a long time.

Vaccination

Depending on where you live, there are a lot of very serious diseases that will kill unvaccinated puppies and dogs regularly. Serious diseases and infections that can potentially kill your dog may also make him less healthy overall if he survives them. So, not vaccinating your dog can also affect his lifespan.

Overfeeding

An increasingly common issue in dogs,obesityis particularly an issue with Labrador Retrieves as a direct result of overfeeding. Friendly and greedy, Labs are super good at persuading you to give him treats and refill his food bowl. Many Lab owners also dont know how to judge how much to feed their dog, whether or not he is already overweight.

Always feed your dog according to how he feels and looks and dont always follow the guidelines on the food packaging. Greedy Labs can also benefit from a slower feeding food bowl an automatic dog feeder with a timer can help.

Keep in mind that studies show that when you reduce the calorie intake in your dog, you can increase your dogs life expectancy by a significant amount. When you consider the impact of obesity on a dogs health, this really isnt very surprising, but it is not something that many dog owners pay attention to. Plus, Labradors are able to maintain their lean body mass consistently all through their lives.

Many people mistakenly believe that some breeds have a tendency to get fat, but, in reality, there are breeds that tend to eat a lot of food and are good at persuading their owners to feed them more. So, its important to resist your dogs puppy dog eyes and remember that if your dogs a slim physique, he will live a comfortable and long life.

Watching your dogs weight can defer the onset of or at least reduce the impact of conditions such as arthritis in an older dog. Older dogs that can retain a youthful weight tend to have a more happy and active retirement. When you are firm about how much food that your dog can eat each day, you will also ensure that you have the benefit of his company for a very long time. It also greatly helps to watch what your dog eats, so keep him on a healthy diet.

Long Labrador Lifespan: Is It Inherited?

To a certain extent, yes, a long lifespan is inherited in that there are some dogs that have an inherent potential for a longer lifespan than others do. So how does your Labrador lifespan compare to other dogs? Since a purebred Labrador is a larger dog, it can go against your Lab having a really long lifespan. However, if he is good-tempered, athletic, and well-structured, he will have better odds of living longer. So, a Lab will fall into the medium range of life expectancy when you compare him to other dogs.

How Do You Help Labrador Retrievers Live Longer?

While there are a few dog breeds that will live longer than a Labrador Retriever, there are also some that will have a much shorter lifespan. Remember that you can help to influence your pups lifespan to a certain extent. If you can, choose your Labrador puppys parents wisely, make sure he is bred by a responsible breeder, and make sure that they get health tested. Also, make sure to look for an inbreeding co-efficient that is under five percent.

If you are choosing between a yellow or black Labrador Retriever, ensure that your pups parents have good temperaments that have also been well cared for. Make sure to socialize your Lab completely when you get your pup home to make sure that he views his world as a friendly and happy place and to make sure he is also confident. Plus, you need to make sure your Lab retains a slim physique and does not fall for your dog when he begs for another helping of food. Its best to do this while theyre still puppies, so theyll be much more used to healthier portions and proper feeding times.

FAQs

What is the average age for a Labrador to die?

The average age for a Labrador Retriever to die is 12 years old. However, it depends on his color as brown Labs tend to live until 10.7 years old while yellow and black Labs will live until 12 years old.

What do labs usually die from?

Typically, the most common cause of death for a Labrador Retriever is either cancer or musculoskeletal disorders. While most musculoskeletal disorders that Labrador Retrievers suffer from are not actually fatal, they often create such painful and severe symptoms that some owners choose to euthanize them.

Can a lab live 20 years?

Technically, a Labrador Retriever may live to 20 years old. However, on average, most black and yellow Labs live only up to 12 years old.

Is 13 old for a lab?

Since an average Labrador retriever only lives until 12 years old, 13 is only slightly old. Some Labs do live longer than 12 years old, so its not impossible for one to live until he is 13.