Average Life span of Labrador Retrievers - How Long Do Labs Live?

The typical lifespan of a Labrador Retriever is 12 to 12.5 years. According to a recent study, chocolate Labradors live 10.7 years on average, which is much fewer than black and yellow Labradors. In labs, a variety of factors determine lifespan. Diet, healthcare, and management, as well as genetic disorders, are among them. We'll look at these aspects and see how you may impact them to assist your dog live a longer life." 'Labrador Life Span was written by Pippa Mattinson, our founder and best-selling author. Simply enter your email address in the space below to receive Pippa's weekly free training suggestions."

So, now you know how long labs live on average. However, this isn't a guarantee for every Labrador's lifespan. Some Labradors live much longer than twelve years. Some, though, do not even make it to ten. So, what factors influence the lifespan of your Labrador? And how can you impact your dog's lifespan so that you can spend the most enjoyable years possible with him?

What Factors Influence the Life Expectancy of Labrador Retrievers?

Your Labrador's life expectancy is influenced by two main areas of characteristics. And any dog's life expectancy.

One is the genetic information passed down from your dog's parents.

The other is what happens to your dog throughout the course of his lifetime. From puppyhood through old age, we've got you covered. Accidents, injuries, and disease are only a few examples. How Long Does A Labrador Retriever Live?

Dog life expectancy figures are frequently erroneous and based on obsolete data. But, thankfully, we no longer have to make educated guesses. Because we now have data from scientific studies, we can provide you with precise Labrador life duration information.

What They Display

In 2004 and 2013, two surveys were conducted. Among a previous study, the median age of death in over 500 Labradors was found to be 12.25. The median age of death in a sample of over 400 dogs was 12.5 years in a later research.

Over 30,000 Labradors were studied in a larger and more recent study released in 2018. Overall, Labradors lived an average of 12 years, according to this study. As a result, the typical Labrador longevity appears to be around 12 years.

Is this going to change?

There is, however, some good news. The lifetime of Labrador retrievers appears to be increasing. Despite the fact that one recent study only looked at 39 dogs, it revealed that the average age may be approaching 14 years. So it's possible that our original answer to the question "how long do Labradors live?" is evolving!

Official records show that the longest-living Labrador was over 19 years old. In addition, there are numerous tales in the comments area below of readers' Labradors who have lived for more than 15 years. So, can you assist your dog in reaching these lofty heights? Let's start with the genes that determine your dog's appearance and behaviour. And which put a cap on how long your Labrador can live.

The Labrador Retriever's Lifespan and Genetics

Every purebred Labrador inherits a set of Labrador qualities that he will share with all other Labradors in his ancestry.

These genes are responsible for more than simply the colour of his coat, the form of his ears, and the length of his tail. They also have control over his personality and susceptibility to sickness.

Body Type: Labrador

Labradors are fortunate in certain ways. They are born with a basic conformation or bodily shape. They don't have lengthy spines or small legs, which might lead to back issues. Their bodies are well-proportioned and built for athletic performance, such as running and jumping.

Labradors are not bred with shorter faces, which might cause breathing problems, or small skulls, which can cause brain damage. They also don't have extensive skin or a lot of fur. This is fantastic because a dog with good conformation is naturally healthier than one with bad conformation.

Labrador temperament and lifespan

Some characteristics of a dog's behaviour are also controlled by genes. And his capacity to perform specific jobs, such as running, hunting, and retrieving items.

life expectancy of a labrador

Genes influence temperament, including the predisposition to be afraid. However, the environment has a significant impact on it. Fear and worry have been shown to shorten the lifespan of pet dogs in one study. Some dogs are euthanized due to aggression or behavioural issues. As a result, while considering life span, temperament is also a consideration to consider.

Some dogs inherit a variety of beneficial genes that increase their chances of good health, such as a lower incidence of cancer. They subsequently pass on these advantageous genes to their offspring.

How Do Inherited Diseases Affect the Lifespan of Labrador Retrievers?

While Labradors are generally healthy, the breed does have disorders that can affect how long they live. It will also have an impact on how healthy each dog is throughout the course of their lives. We have tests for some of these disorders, such as hip dysplasia and CNM, that can (and should) be performed on mature dogs before they are used for breeding.

We don't have tests for other disorders, such as some malignancies. We only know that Labradors are more susceptible than other dog breeds in specific circumstances. According to a 2004 research, cancer kills 31% of Labradors. This is slightly greater than the total cancer rate in dogs.

Inbreeding and Lifespan

Certain hereditary illnesses have become entrenched in the Labrador breed, as they have in all purebred dog breeds. This is due to inbreeding between closely related dogs. Labradors have a 6.5 percent average coefficient of inbreeding. This is higher than the threshold (5%) at which inbreeding begins to have negative consequences in dogs. Size is another aspect that affects a dog's longevity. Another area where Labrador suffers a modest disadvantage is in this area.

How Does Labrador Size Affect Lifespan?

Little dogs have a longer lifespan than large dogs. This is one of nature's oddities that we don't fully comprehend. There are, of course, several exceptions to the rule. However, the longevity of dogs is inversely proportional to their bodily size.

When we compare large mammal species, we frequently discover the opposite. Consider the elephant in comparison to a smaller creature like the mouse. Being larger appears to be a disadvantage when looking at individuals within a single species, in this case the domestic dog.

Because your Labrador is a medium to large dog, its size is a limiting factor in its lifespan. In other words, the average Labrador will probably never live as long as a toy poodle. In this page, you may learn more about your Labrador's growth and size.

If you're curious about the longevity of different breeds, the Kennel Club website has a lot of information.

Do purebred labs have a longer lifespan?

When it comes to purebred Labradors, how long do they live? The fact that your dog is a pedigree dog limits the outer bounds of his potential life to some extent as well. Mongrels live on average 1.2 years longer than purebred dogs, according to a study published in The Veterinary Journal in 2013. This isn't to say that your Boxador will live longer than your pedigree Lab. It all comes down to averages.

When it comes to pedigree dogs, there are a few things to consider.

There are disparities in longevity amongst the breeds when looking at pedigree dogs as a whole. It's not just about size, though that's essential.

There are significant distinctions between breeds of comparable size. Shorter life spans are sometimes connected to poor conformation. Hormone difficulties, brain problems due to skull compression, and a variety of other health issues plague many very small dogs. Labrador conformation is rather healthy in comparison.

Let's return to the subject we discussed at the start of this post. Chocolate Labs live shorter lives than their black or yellow cousins, according to a recent study.

Lifespan and Coat Color of Labrador Retrievers

For a long time, it was thought that coat colour had little bearing on Labrador longevity. With the exception of colour dilution alopecia in silver Labradors, genetic disorders were assumed to be unrelated to the colour or breed of Labrador.

That premise has been called into question by a recent research of over 33,000 canines. It demonstrates that the average life expectancy for black and yellow labs is 12.1 years. Chocolate Labs, on the other hand, have a shorter life expectancy of 10.7 years.

We don't yet know why this is the case. However, in that study, the Chocolates were more prone to ear and skin problems. Self-inflicted "hotspots" as a reaction to irritants like fleas were included. We also have no idea how the two primary Labrador 'types' differ. As a result, we can't say whether English Labs live longer than American Labs.

The study included a large number of dogs. As a result, the results are likely to represent the entire Lab population.

How Long Will My Laboratory Survive?

Apart from your capacity to choose your puppy's parents, genetic characteristics are essentially out of your control. However, as your Labrador grows and matures, he will encounter life experiences that may affect his life expectancy. Some of these are things you can influence. Now let's have a look at them.

Roaming & Mishaps

Every year, a large number of dogs are killed in car accidents. Many of these could have been prevented. Dogs who are allowed to spend time outside unsupervised are considerably more likely to have accidents.

Securely fencing your property (or a small portion of it) will assist keep your dog from roaming. Plus, teaching him to respond promptly when you call will make it easier for you to summon him in an emergency.

Neutering

It was once thought that neutering improved life expectancy. If dogs are not properly regulated, one of the reasons why some earlier studies show a greater death rate for neutered dogs is because they are not properly controlled. Those that have a strong desire to mate will wander further away from home and have more mishaps.

However, recent research has linked neutering to a number of major health problems, including joint illness and cancer. Both are the most common causes of disease and death in laboratories. The neutering debate has become more complicated. Before having a male dog castrated or a female dog spayed, we urge that you read through our detailed neutering information.

These two ideas – training and control – will ensure that your dog lives to the fullest extent possible. For the safety of most Labradors, recall is essential. As a result, make sure you spend the time necessary to train him to respond when he is called. Whatever diversions he may encounter.

Vaccination

Many serious diseases still kill unvaccinated dogs and puppies on a regular basis in some parts of the world. Serious infections and disorders can lead to your dog's death. However, if he survives them, they have the potential to make him less healthy in general. As a result, where you reside and whether or not you vaccinate your dog may have an impact on his life expectancy. Bodyweight is perhaps the single most important factor that you can impact in terms of both your dog's longevity and happiness of life.

Overfeeding

Obesity is becoming more prevalent in dogs in general, and in Labrador retrievers in particular. Overfeeding is the direct cause. Labradors are greedy, friendly dogs who are excellent at persuading people to give them treats and refill their food bowls.

Furthermore, many Labrador owners struggle to determine how much their dog should eat. And whether he is overweight or not. That is something we can assist you with. Check out our Labrador weight guide to ensure your dog is at the proper weight for optimal health.

It's critical that you don't blindly follow the feeding instructions on the packs. However, feed your dog based on how he looks and feels. That article will be beneficial to you.

Lifespan of a Labrador Retriever

What Does Research Say?

Reducing calorie consumption in dogs has been demonstrated in studies to extend life expectancy by a significant amount. When we consider the health consequences of obesity, this isn't surprising. However, a large number of dog owners are ignoring this message.

Labradors are capable of keeping a steady lean body mass throughout their lifespan, according to a 2003 study.

Those Puppy Eyes Must Be Resisted

Many people wrongly believe that the breed has a "tendency to get overweight." Only a "tendency to eat a lot of food and be very adept at persuading people to offer food" is present. You have the keys to the pantry, and you must resist your dog's enticements.

Slimming down your dog can help him live a long and happy life. In elderly dogs, it can delay the onset of and lessen the severity of illnesses like arthritis. Elderly canines with a youthful waistline enjoy a more active and fulfilling retirement.

Being strict about the amount of food your dog eats each day can enable you enjoy the benefits of his company for as long as possible.

So, Is Dog Longevity Inherited?

Yes, it is obvious that lifespan is inherited to some extent. As a result, some dogs will have a higher proclivity for living a long life than others. However, this isn't the whole storey.

When it comes to life expectancy, being a Labrador, being purebred, and being a large dog all work against your dog. Being athletic, even-tempered, and well-structured, on the other hand, work in his advantage. As a result of these factors, the Labrador's life expectancy is in the middle of the pack when compared to other dogs.

You can assist your Labrador in living a longer life.

Some dog breeds live longer than our beloved Labrador retrievers. There are also a number of species that have a substantially shorter lifespan.

You can play a role in your dog's longevity to some level. Choose his parents carefully if you're getting a puppy. Make sure they've been health-tested and that they've been bred by a trustworthy breeder. Look for a co-efficient of inbreeding of less than 5%. Consider getting a yellow or black Lab. Also, make certain that the parents have pleasant personalities and have been well-cared for.

When you first bring your puppy home, make sure to thoroughly socialise him. So that he feels self-assured and sees the world as a cheerful, welcoming place. Above all, keep your dog's weight down. Really, really skinny. Make sure you don't give in to your dog's request for second helpings when you look into those yearning eyes.

How Long Do Labs Usually Live?

Let's have a look at how long Labs live. Labradors live an average of 12.5 years, and this number is likely to rise. Some Labradors live far longer than others.

Pippa Mattinson's The Labrador Handbook

Train, socialise, and oversee your dog throughout his natural life, and make sure he is appropriately fed and exercised. Your friend could live into his teens and be with you for many years with loving care, a visible waistline, and a little luck.

Additional Information

The Happy Puppy Handbook is a comprehensive guide on raising a healthy and happy puppy.

Every facet of life with a little dog is covered in The Happy Puppy Handbook.

The book will assist you in preparing your home for the newcomer. Potty training, socialisation, and early obedience will help your puppy get off to a terrific start.

This link will take you to Amazon where you can purchase The Happy Puppy Handbook. If you do, The Labrador Site will receive a tiny commission, which will be very appreciated and will have no bearing on the price you pay!

Do you have, or have you ever had, a Labrador Retriever who had a long life? In the comments section below, tell us about your Labrador Retriever's life span experiences.