Labrador retrievers are some of the most loyal, playful, and happy dogs that you can bring into your home, but how long will they live? If you’re planning on adopting a lab, you might be wondering about how much time you’ll get to spend with your furry friend, and what sort of lab life expectancy you can expect from your new companion. While no dog lives forever, in general labs have one of the longest life expectancies of any dog breed and chocolate labs live even longer than other colors!
Why Labs Have A Shorter Lifespan Than Other Breeds
The latest study, published in Veterinary Medicine and Science, analyzed mortality data for more than 60 dog breeds, including purebreds and mixed-breeds. Overall, Labrador retrievers are still one of the longest-living dog breeds, reported another recent study. But those aren’t extraordinarily long lifespans compared to some other dog breeds. Largely thanks to crossbreeding with other dogs like greyhounds and herding dogs, Labradors have lost several of their genetic health problems—and they’re now generally healthier than they were decades ago but they may also be losing out on lifespan as a result.
The main factors that affect lab life expectancy are genetics, lifestyle, and environment. Unfortunately, Labradors are most commonly bred for appearance over health, which means these dog breeds tend to have more genetic disorders than others. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), one in five purebred dogs with pink noses have a known or suspected disorder of some kind. But fortunately, it’s very rare for dogs born today to live as long as they did in decades past. Dog lifespans lengthened by 25 percent between 1983 and 2009 thanks largely to advances in veterinary care and changes in diet, according to research published last year in Trends in Ecology & Evolution.
Keeping Your Dog Healthy Throughout All Stages Of Life
Although labs have a long life expectancy, several factors influence their longevity. Genetics is probably most important, so try to choose a dog from parents with long lifespans. Make sure your dog has access to regular veterinary care and stays away from risky behavior, such as running off-leash in areas where it might be at risk for animal-transmitted diseases or being attacked by another animal. Be sure to keep an eye on its diet and nutrition, too. Speak with your vet about appropriate amounts of nutrients for your lab’s age group.
Labs often experience a slowing of physical abilities around middle age. That doesn’t mean they suddenly become weak, but many labs will lose their ability to run as fast and jump as high by their eighth birthday. By ages 10 to 12, your lab might experience osteoarthritis and hip dysplasia, two common diseases that affect older dogs. Take care to keep your dog on an appropriate diet throughout its life if you want it to live into old age always consult with your vet before making changes. Get plenty of exercises, too. Your dog is more likely to stay healthy for longer if it gets regular physical activity rather than being cooped up all day in a small space.
How You Can Help Your Lab Live Longer
The reasons for a Lab life expectancy are unclear, but at least one study showed that having a family history of kidney or urinary tract problems may put Labs at greater risk. Another theory: The popularity of Labs made them prone to overbreeding, which has led to more inherited diseases in later generations. Regardless, it doesn’t hurt to do what you can to lengthen your pet’s life. That includes routine checkups with your vet and sticking to breed-specific nutrition recommendations from Purina Pro Plan Focus Care health experts. Plus, it never hurts to get outside and exercise these dogs have an average lifespan of 14 years when they spend most of their time indoors versus 11 years when they’re allowed some freedom outdoors!
In addition to those healthy habits, keep an eye out for symptoms of any issues that may impact a Lab’s longevity. Lab life expectancy average lifespan is usually 15 years or more, but conditions such as heart disease and cancer are common culprits that can lead to early death. As with humans, symptoms in your pet dog could be very subtle, so it’s important to keep regular tabs on your Lab if you notice something different from normal.
How To Prepare For Losing A Pet
When you’re searching for a pet, it’s important to know what kind of life to expect with each one. A good veterinarian or breeder can provide you with information about each type of animal and its average lifespan. For example, dogs like Labradors are well-known for their long lives and they’re one of many breeds that have lived over 20 years. However, animals like cats typically live longer than dogs because they tend to stay healthier as they age. As a general rule, cats will have a longer lifespan if there are fewer exposures to diseases throughout their lifetime and fewer trips to animal hospitals.
If you’re thinking about getting a dog, such as a Labrador retriever, it’s important to consider how long your pet might live. Although each animal is unique and some may live longer than others, there are a few breeds that have historically lived longer than most. The average lab life expectancy for all types of dogs is around 12 years while Labrador retrievers are one of many dog breeds that have historically been known to live 10 to 11 years longer on average. Many factors can contribute to an animal’s lifespan but eating right and being healthy can help lengthen their lives. Likewise, making sure they get enough exercise and avoid too much stress may also play a role in their longevity.
