What is the lifespan of a female Labrador

Labrador Retriever Lifespan How Long Do Labs Live?

The average Labrador Retriever lifespan is 12 to 12.5 years. Although a recent study suggests chocolate Labs live shorter lives averaging 10.7 years, significantly less than black and yellow Labradors. Factors influencing lifespan in Labs include diet, healthcare, management and inherited diseases. Changing these factors can enable you to help your dog live longer.

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Labrador Lifespan was written by our founder, best-selling author Pippa Mattinson. To get Pippas weekly free training tips just drop your email into the box below

Your Stories

There are over five hundred comments under this article, some are sad, some happy, all about much loved Labradors. Check them out at the bottom of this article, and have a tissue ready.

What Controls Labrador Retriever Lifespan?

Obviously ten isnt a guaranteed Labrador lifespan for every dog. Some Labradors live a good deal longer than twelve. But some dont make it to ten.

There are two key categories of factors that influence your Labradors life expectancy. And the lifespan of any dog.

• One is the genetic information your dog inherited from his parents.
• The other is the events that happen to your dog during the course of his life. Through puppyhood to old age. Things like accidents, injury and disease.

How Long Can A Labrador Live?

Life span statistics for dogs are often wildly inaccurate, based on outdated information. Luckily, we dont need to guess. Accurate Labrador life span information comes from data from scientific studies.

Labrador Lifespan Surveys

Two surveys were carried out in 2004 and 2013. The earlier study showed the median age of death in over 500 Labradors was 12.25. The later study gave a median age at death in a group of over 400 dogs as 12.5 years.

A bigger and more recent study published in 2018 looked at over 30,000 Labradors. This one found a median longevity of 12 years in Labradors overall. So the average Labrador lifespan seems to work out at around 12 years.

Is Labrador Lifespan Getting Longer?

The good news is there is evidence that Labrador lifespan might be increasing. One recent study, although it only looked at 39 dogs, suggested the average could be getting closer to 14 years. So our original question how long do Labradors live is changing!

The longest confirmed lifespan for a Labrador was 19 years. There are plenty of reports in the comments section below of readers Labradors living over 15 years.

You can help your dog to reach these high numbers, but nothing is guaranteed. Lets look at the genes controlling how your dog looks and behaves. These set broad limits to the lifespan of your Labrador.

Genes & Labrador Retriever Lifespan

Your purebred Labrador inherits a number of Labrador characteristics shared with all other pedigree Labradors.

These genes dont just control his coat color, the shape of his ears, and the length of his tail. They control aspects of his temperament and susceptibility to disease.

Labrador Body Shape

To some extent Labradors are lucky. They inherit a basically sound conformation or body shape. They dont have very long spines or short legs that can cause back problems. Their bodies are nicely proportioned and designed for athletic ability, running and jumping.

Labradors have not been bred with shortened faces that can cause breathing problems, or small skulls that can damage their brains. Nor do they have excessive skin or a massive amount of fur. This is great because a good body structure makes a dog naturally healthier than a dog with poor conformation.

Temperament and Labrador Lifespan

Genes control some aspects of your dogs behavior. And his ability to carry out tasks like running and hunting, or fetching things. However, temperament, including tendency to fearfulness, is influenced by genes and the environment.

One study showed that fear and anxiety has a negative effect on lifespan in pet dogs. Some dogs are euthanized for aggression or behavior problems. So temperament is a factor in life span.

Some dogs inherit a number of genes that improve their chances of good health. Reduced risk of cancer for example. These genes are passed onto their puppies.

How Inherited Diseases Affect Labrador Retriever Life Span

Labradors are relatively healthy, but there are diseases in the breed that can influence how long your Labrador will live and how healthy your dog will be during their lifetime. Some of these diseases, hip dysplasia and CNM for example, we have tests that should be carried out before breeding adult dogs.

There are however no tests for diseases like cancer. A 2004 study showed 31% of Labradors die of cancer, slightly more than the average rate of cancer in dogs overall.

How Size Affects Longevity

Little dogs live longer than big dogs. A quirk of nature we dont entirely understand. Of course, there are exceptions to the rule. But in general the longevity of dogs is strongly linked to body size.

This is the reverse of what we find when comparing species of mammals, like the long lived elephant and the short lived mouse.

Looking at individuals in the same species, in this case the domestic dog, being large is a disadvantage.

As a medium dog size is a limiting factor for your Labrador. The average Labrador wont live as long as the toy poodle.

Labrador Lifespan and Inbreeding

Genetic diseases establish in pedigree dog breeds like that Labrador breed due to inbreeding dogs that are closely related. The average coefficient of inbreeding for Labradors is 6.5 %. We see adverse effects of inbreeding in dogs at over the 5% level.

Do Purebred Labs Live Longer?

Purebred Labradors outer limits on lifespan are set partially by their pedigree. Mongrels live on average 1.2 years longer than purebred dogs according to a study published in The Veterinary Journey in 2013. This doesnt mean your Boxador will outlive your neighbors pedigree Lab however, its all about averages.

Comparing Pedigree Dogs

When we consider pedigree dogs as a whole, there are differences in longevity between the breeds. Not just in terms of size, though this is important.

There are also differences between different breeds of a similar size. Sometime shorter life spans are linked to poor conformation. Many very tiny dogs have hormone problems, brain problems through skull compression, and a range of other health issues. In comparison, Labrador conformation is pretty healthy.

Lets take a look now at that topic we mentioned at the beginning of the article. The recent discovery that Chocolate Labs live shorter lives than their cousins.

Color vs Lifespan

For a long time it was believed that coat color had no influence on Labrador life expectancy. With the exception of color dilution alopecia in silver Labradors, it was thought that inherited diseases were not linked to any particular color or type of Labrador.

A recent study of over thirty three thousand dogs has thrown that assumption into doubt. It shows us that black Lab life expectancy and yellow Lab life expectancy is around 12.1 years. While chocolate Lab life expectancy is quite a bit shorter at 10.7 years.

The Chocolates in that study were more prone to ear and skin problems. This included self-inflicted hot-spots as a reaction to irritants like fleas. And we dont know if the two main Labrador types differ. So we cant tell you if English Lab life expectancy differs from American Labs.

The study was a very big sample of dogs. So it is likely that the results represent the wider Lab population as a whole.

How Long Will My Lab Live?

Apart from your ability to be selective over the parents of your puppy, genetic factors are largely outside your control. But as your Labrador grows and matures, there will be life events that happen to him which may influence his life expectancy. Some of these are events that you can control. Lets take a look at those now.

Accidents &Roaming Impact Labrador Lifespan

Hundreds of dogs die each year in avoidable accidents when unsupervised outdoors. Secure fencing around your backyard and a good recall training command will help you keep your dog from becoming a part of that statistic.

Neutering

It was believed neutering increased life expectancy. Older studies showed a higher death rate for unneutered dogs because they were uncontrolled. They had the urge to roam, the ability to leave the backyard, and therefore got into accidents.

Recents studies link neutering to health issues including joint disease and cancer, both leading causes of illness and death in Labs.

The neutering issue isnt clear cut, but the principles of training and control will help keep your dog safe.

Vaccination

In parts of the world there are serious diseases that kill unvaccinated dogs and puppies. Vaccination enables your pet to avoid the infections that have the potential to kill them

Overfeeding Decreases Labrador Lifespan?

The biggest influence you can control regarding your dogs longevity and enjoyment of life is his bodyweight. Obesity is increasingly common in dogs, and Labradors in particular. The direct result of over feeding.

Labradors are greedy dogs good at persuading people to hand over treats and refill the food bowl. Some Labrador parents struggle to judge quantities of food fairly in the face of puppy dog eyes.

Dont slavishly follow feeding guidelines on packets, but feed according to how your dog looks and feels.

What Do Studies Say?

Studies show reducing calories intake in dogs increases life expectancy a significant amount due to the health impact of obesity. Labradors are all capable of maintaining a consistent lean body mass through their lives, according to a 2003 study. Dog owners just need to be vigilant.

Hungry Labrador Eyes!

Your Labrador does not have a tendency to get fat from their breed. Only to eat a lot and be good at persuading their family to provide food. You have the keys to the larder, and you can resist your dogs charms.

Slim dogs live a longer, more comfortable life. They defer the onset and impact of conditions like arthritis in older dogs, when they retain a youthful waistline. Be firm about the amount of food your dog eats to ensure the benefits of his company for longer.

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Is Longevity In Dogs Inherited?

To a certain extent longevity is inherited. Some dogs have an inherently higher potential for long life than others. But this isnt the whole story.

Line breeding and size go against your dog in terms of life expectancy. But being fit, friendly and well proportioned go in their favor. So the average Labrador has a medium range life expectancy compared with other dog breeds.

You Can Help Your Labrador Live Longer

There are some dog breeds that are longer lived than our beloved Labs. And quite a few that are much shorter lived.

You can help to influence your dogs longevity to a certain extent. If you are choosing a puppy, choose his parents wisely. Make sure that they are health tested and bred by a responsible breeder. Look for a co-efficient of inbreeding that is below 5%. Consider choosing a black or yellow Lab. And make sure the parents have great temperaments, and have been well cared for.

Socialize your puppy thoroughly when you get him home. So that he is confident and views the world as a happy, friendly place. Above all, keep your dog slim. Really slim. When you look into those pleading eyes, make sure you dont give in to your dogs request for second helpings.

The Labrador Site Founder

Pippa Mattinson is the best selling author of The Happy Puppy Handbook, the Labrador Handbook, Choosing The Perfect Puppy, and Total Recall.

She is also the founder of the Gundog Trust and the Dogsnet Online Training Program

Pippa's online training courses were launched in 2019 and you can find the latest course dates on the Dogsnet website

What is a Labrador's Lifespan and What Do They Usually Die From?

What is a Lab's Lifespan?

For a large dog breed, Labrador Retrievers generally have long lifespans. On average, the Labrador Retriever breed lives about 10 to 12 years. However, there are many things that can affect a Labrador's lifespan, such as weight, breeding background, activeness, food quality, environmental factors, bone strength, genetics, and general health.

On average, Chocolate Labradors have shorter lifespans than their yellow, champagne, white, and black breed mates. Since Chocolate Labradors were the perfect color for hunting, breeders used to target the color over all others. Due to this targeted breeding, the genetic diversity in chocolate Labs is much lower than in other colors.

This doesn't mean that you shouldn't get a chocolate Labrador because they will die sooner.ChocolateLabs are just as great as the other colors despite rumors about the color. When considering any color of Labrador, make sure you talk to different reputable breeders to ensure you are getting a Lab that isn't coming from an unhealthy genetic history.

What Do Labradors Usually Die From?

Before modern genetics research, many breeders did not know how crossing specific genes in dogs could have adverse effects for future generations. Many breeders looked at the physical aspects of two dogs and bred them to strengthen those physical attributes in their offspring. This often did more harm than good as non-compatible or genetically similar dogs were bred together, which caused less genetic diversity in the breed and shorten the lifespan of the breed. I recommend using Embark DNA testing to see if your Lab has a predisposition for any issues.

Due to the lack of genetic diversity in Labrador Retrievers as a purebred breed, Labs have predispositions to almost 70 different diseases. This doesn't mean that your Lab will die from one of them, but some are more common than others. For example, most Labrador Retrievers die from cancer, degenerative joint disease, obesity, and otitis externa.

Cancer

A study that focused on causes of death in Labrador and Golden Retrievers showed that 70% of dogs carry cancer genes. One of the most common cancers in retrievers, the study focused on, is mast cell tumors. The study also found that retrievers with two copies of the gene are four times as likely to develop cancer. We will go into further detail about the signs of cancer in a bit.

Degenerative Joint Disease

Since Labradors are such a large breed of dog, there is much more weight and stress on their joints. As Labradors age, these stressors cause their joints to deteriorate. The two most common degenerative joint diseases in Labrador Retrievers are arthritis and hip dysplasia.

While degenerative joint disease can occur in any dog, it is very common in obese and unhealthy dogs. If your dog is obese, they are putting more weight on their joints than the joints are designed for. To help prevent degenerative joint disease, feed them a healthy diet and try to limit the amount of jumping on and off things.

Arthritis

Arthritis is the result of two bones in a joint rubbing together constantly for an extended period of time. Cartilage separates and connects the two bones at their meeting place in a healthy joint. However, when a dog is obese or has put a lot of stress on their joints, the cartilage can break down, allowing the two bones to meet. When two bones rub together over time, it can cause inflammation, stiffness in the joint, and intense pain.

Hip Dysplasia

Understanding hip dysplasia starts with understanding how the hip works. A dog's hip is a ball and socket joint. If you can picture a baseball and a glove, the hip looks like that. The "ball" smoothly moves around in the "glove when a dog walks."

When a dog develops hip dysplasia, it is because the ball and socket do not fit together or didn't develop properly. As a result, instead of moving smoothly, the bones grind against each other. Over time the bones will painfully break down against each other and eventually stop moving.

Obesity

Obesity can shorten a dog's lifespan exponentially. No Labrador Retriever is bred to be overweight.While they may look cute with their chunky necks and rolls, they are actually at higher risk of health issues. Obesity isn't the direct cause of most Labrador deaths, but it does increase the risk for musculoskeletal disorders and heart disease.

Labradors have a predisposed tendency to overeat, which has led to almost 10% of Labrador Retrievers suffering from obesity. To prevent obesity in your dog, talk with your vet to set up ahealthy diet and stick to it!Try not to feed them excess treats and table scraps and give them a high-quality kibble.

Otitis Externa

Otitis externa is a condition in which the external ear canal is continuously inflamed. This inflammation is not only painful for your dog, but it makes ear infections common. When dirt or water gets into your dog's ear, they can usually shake or rub it out. However, dirt or water stays inside the inflamed ear canal because the are closes off due to inflammation. This foreign debris can then irritate the ear and cause infections.

Otitis externa affects over 10% of Labrador Retrievers. This condition has a different frequency in the different colors of Labradors. Otitis Externa affects about 13% of black Labradors, 17% of yellow Labradors, and 23.4% chocolate Labradors.

How Long Do Labs Live With Cancer?

It is difficult to predict how long after diagnosis a Labrador will live. Once symptoms become unbearable, most owners decide to euthanize their dogs to end their suffering. On the other hand, some types of cancer can be easily removed with surgery, and the dogs can go on to have a full lifespan.

There are many different types of cancer that Labradors can get, so we will go over the signs of cancer and the most common.

Signs of Cancer

1. Lumps and bumps underneath your dog's skin are the most significant indicators of cancer. If you notice a lump , monitor it and take your dog to the vet if you think it is growing or stays there for a while.
2. Abnormal odors coming from your Labrador's mouths/throat, ears, or other body part indicate cancer.
3. Wounds or sores that aren't healing suggest that your dog's immune season is fighting off another ailment or has been weakened. If a wound or sore sticks around longer than usual, take your dog to the vet.
4. Loss of weight and appetite could mean that your Labrador is fighting cancer. If they have intestinal cancer, they may not be absorbing nutrients properly and may not receive the correct hunger cues. If your dog suddenly drops a lot of weight, take it to the vet because it could be another issue, even if it's not cancer.
5. Coughing or difficulty breathing could mean a tumor is compressing your Labrador's throat or lungs. A cough every now and then is normal, but if consistent and continuous coughing is occurring, take your dog to the vet.
6. Changes in drinking and urinating, either an increase or decrease, could mean your Labrador's kidney or liver is malfunctions. These types of malfunctions can be due to a tumor or another underlying issue.
7. Difficulty swallowing is a significant indicator of a throat obstruction. This could be due to a tumor in the back of the mouth or the esophagus.
8. Changes in bathroom habits aside from urination can also indicate cancer. If your Labrador has changes in the frequency and consistency in their number two goings, it may be due to rectal cancer.
9. Evidence of pain in areas on your Lab's body. If your Lab shows pain when you press on the area, you should take them to the vet. This could indicate cancer or another issue such as appendicitis or ulcers.
10. Low energy levels and lethargy mean that your Labrador isn't feeling well. Whether it's cancer or another illness, lethargy is a common sign of sickness in dogs.

Lifespan of Different Cancers

Spaying and Neutering: Impact on Lifespan

Spaying and neutering your Labrador is a decision that needs to be made carefully and timed correctly to have the best results in prolonging the lifespan. But, first, we will discuss how spaying and neutering affect each gender differently.

Veternarians reccmend spaying a female Labrador after its first heat cycle. This is around six months of age when they weigh about 45 pounds. Since every Labrador develops on its timelines, you should talk with your veterinarian before proceeding with the surgery.

In males, you should wait until they are about two years old and they have fully developed. Once you have neutered your dog, the level of testosterone in your dog will decrease. This will stop sending growth hormones into their bodies. Fixing a Labrador before it is fully developed can prevent them from reaching their full size.

Veternarians recommend a weight of 45 pounds to aid in the healing process. If your Lab is under this weight, it may be malnourished and have a difficult time recovering. This could lead to cancer, infections, and lethargy as their immune system focuses on the would. Don't worry about waiting too long to do the surgery, as your dog is technically never too old; they will just have a longer recovery period. Spaying/neutering your Lab may improve their lifespan by decreasing the risk of ovarian, mammary, and testicular cancer.

How to Know If Your Lab is Dying

Saying goodbye to your best friend is one of the hardest things to do. While you want to keep your Labrador around as long as possible, you also don't want to put them through more suffering. If your Lab displays these signs, it might be time to contact your vet to say goodbye.

• The dog is in pain/discomfort (hiding, trembling, panting, loss of mobility, irritability, restlessness, aggression)
• Loss of appetite
• Lack of interest in favorite activities
• Incontinence/decreased grooming
• Loss of mobility
• More bad days than good ones

When you decide it's time, try to find a home veterinarian who will come to your house. You don't want your Lab to spend their last moments in a place they are scared of. Even though it's hard, stay with your Lab during their final moments. Let them know how loved they are until the very end.

Final Thoughts

• Labrador Retrievers have an average lifespan of about 10 to 12 years.
• Chocolate Labradors have a shorter lifespan by a year compared to other colors.
• The leading cause of death in Labradors are cancer, obesity, otitis externa, and degenerative joint disease.
• Labradors are not meant to be obese, and overfeeding them can decrease their lifespan
• It is difficult to determine how long a Labrador will live after being diagnosed with cancer, and that time will fluctuate depending on the treatment
• Spaying or neutering your Labrador can decrease their chances of getting certain cancers and may increase their lifespan.