Handsome Labrador Retrievers rightfully deserve the title of the most intelligent and useful dogs. This breed has become popular due to its appearance, intelligence and golden character. They often become not just companions, but also helpers and guides. Any owner will want his pet to live with him for a long time and not get sick. But, unfortunately, nature takes its toll. Labrador Retrievers are prone to certain diseases, just like any other breed. How long do retrievers live? And how can you extend their years?
average life expectancy
How long do Labradors live on average? 10-14 years is the norm for a Labrador Retriever and 10-12 years for a Golden Retriever. The life of a dog is influenced by many factors that the owner must take into account in order for the animal to reach its age maximum and even exceed it.
Since the Labrador is a large dog, it lives less than its smaller counterparts, but everything directly depends on the policy of the owners. Thus, there is a known case when a Labrador named Chilla lived for 32 years! This dog lived in an ecologically clean area in Australia, spent its entire life herding sheep and, most likely, was surrounded by the love and care of its owners.
Age compared to human years
The age of a Labrador in comparison with a person can be conveniently reflected in the tables:
| Puppy age up to one year, months. | Person's age, years |
| 1 | 0,5 |
| 2 | 1 |
| 3 | 2 |
| 4 | 3 |
| 5 | 4 |
| 6 | 5 |
| 7 | 7 |
| 8 | 9 |
| 9 | 10 |
| 10 | 11 |
| 11 | 13 |
For adult dogs, things are a little different:
| Labrador age, years | Person's age, years |
| 1 | 14 |
| 2 | 25 |
| 3 | 30 |
| 4 | 36 |
| 5 | 40 |
| 6 | 42 |
| 7 | 49 |
| 8 | 56 |
| 9 | 63 |
| 10 | 65 |
| 11 | 71 |
| 12 | 75 |
| 13 | 80 |
| 14 | 85 |
| 15 | 87 |
How long do Labrador retrievers live at home?
Labradors get along well in apartments, despite their size, as these dogs are smart and calm. Their claims to comfort are small: a sunbed in a secluded place (not in a passage or draft) and two bowls (for food and water). An important aspect of home housing is the emotional atmosphere in the family: the less quarrels and negativity, the longer the dog can live. It is good if the dog receives a lot of attention from the owner, without whom he feels loneliness and emotional discomfort.
Toys help the dog have fun when the owner is busy, as well as exercise, which is also a very important part of his life. Until the age of 10 months, a dog cannot jump over obstacles, because its bone and muscle tissue have not yet formed.
Labradors need to be fed from 5-6 times in early puppyhood to 2 times after 1 year of life. The same applies to walking. The fact is that small puppies cannot retain fluid in their bodies for a long time, so if the issue of toileting outside is important to you, be prepared for frequent walks.
If all these conditions are met, Labradors at home live for as many years as the maximum allotted to them by nature, i.e. 14 years. It will be possible to squeeze out more only in exceptional cases, because the environment, especially in big cities, leaves much to be desired.
Main causes of premature death
The most common causes of death among Labradors:
- Gastric volvulus. This is an acute dilatation of the stomach due to weakness of its wall. The disease is characterized by an increase in the size of the stomach (bloating), which entails compression of the diaphragm and impaired circulation in the internal organs, which leads to death.
- Tracheal collapse is a chronic disease with common causes. It is characterized by a narrowing of the lumen of the air tube that connects the larynx and lungs (trachea).
- Tumor of the spleen and its rupture. With any tumor of the spleen, rupture of the tumor can often be observed. Even the most minor injuries can cause this.
- Entry of a foreign body into the throat. It can be anything: bones, wood chips, broken glass, pieces of toys, etc. In this case, the animal lies with its mouth open, breathing is difficult, and suffocation develops.
- Heart diseases. The most common of them is delegation cardiomyopathy.
- Poisoning. In most cases, dogs are poisoned to kill mice and rats.
How long do they live in the private sector?
Living in the private sector is considered an ideal option for this breed, because there the dogs are in closer contact with nature and breathe fresh air. However, some points need to be remembered. Labrador is not one of those breeds that gets used to life on a chain. This depresses the temperament of these dogs: they become antisocial, angry and irritable, which, of course, affects the pet’s life expectancy.
The best housing for a Labrador can be considered a spacious enclosure with a massive booth , which will have plenty of food and fresh drink. Labradors also do not tolerate frost and cold very well. If a dog lives outside, its kennel should be well insulated and not allow cold air and moisture to pass through.
If a dog lives in a kennel, it still needs to be given enough attention because it needs a companion just like a human. If there is no special need, it is better to make the dog’s main home the house, but let him walk in the yard. In this case, the dog will easily overcome the age of 14 and will live as long as Mother Nature intended for it.
Nutrition
The diet for a Labrador must be correct and balanced. This breed is prone to obesity. If you notice that your family pet has begun to gain significant weight, reconsider the feeding diet. According to the recommendations of veterinarians, when feeding a Labrador Retriever, it is necessary to calculate the daily kilocalorie intake and try not to exceed it.
Choose the right type of food - natural food or ready-made food.
Related article: Can a Labrador live in an outdoor enclosure in winter?
Do you prefer “natural”? Then your pet will enjoy meat, fish, various cereals and vegetables. Do not feed just one product; think over the menu for the animal in such a way that it includes all the necessary vitamins and minerals.
If you want to feed “dry”, then in pet stores such products are presented in a wide range. It is better to refuse cheap options immediately. Saving on food can negatively affect the health of your four-legged friend.
What factors influence life expectancy
The emotional component directly affects life expectancy. The dog must be sure that it is loved and respected in the family. Also, the Labrador must be socialized in the breeder's family, and then with the owner - the pet must communicate with people and other animals.
Nutrition is also a fundamental factor in life expectancy. Breeders recommend feeding Labradors with dry food from trusted manufacturers, since it already contains a balanced set of necessary elements. Products such as lean meat (veal, chicken) and fish, cottage cheese, eggs, cereals and grated vegetables will also be useful for the dog.
Genes are also important. A purebred dog without any physiological or mental defects has a better chance of living a long life because it will maintain good health and immunity until old age. Therefore, think carefully about whether to adopt a dog from friends or go to a professional kennel.
The training and upbringing of the animal has an indirect effect. Regular exercise in moderation will help develop your dog's agility, endurance, and disease resistance. But a well-bred Labrador will never get into a fight that is dangerous for itself, will not fall under the wheels of a car, etc.
Pros and cons of the breed
The main advantages of such dogs are:
- love for children;
- gentle character, lack of aggression;
- mental stability;
- high learning ability – every family member can train an animal, not just one owner;
- good level of intelligence development.
The disadvantages of the breed are:
- complex dog coat care;
- specific odor caused by frequent digestive problems;
- the inability to raise a watchdog from a retriever;
- high cost of a puppy.
The presented shortcomings of the breed are fully compensated by the pet’s cheerful disposition and its ability to get along with people of different ages. For large families he is an ideal dog.
How to extend life
Remember that if you ignore the diet and lack the stress the body needs, the dog may not live to see its 10th birthday! To increase the lifespan of your pet, keep an eye on these factors, remember the dangers of urban ecology for the dog and the emotional background of the environment.
It is important to take care of your dog - brush and bathe it on time to prevent the appearance of fleas, ticks and other pathogens.
Monitor your Labrador's health - get all vaccinations on time and take a biochemical blood test every year to identify possible pathologies in the early stages. Most often, this breed suffers from joint dysplasia, excess weight and bloating, lipomas, cataracts, allergies and epilepsy.
Now you know how long Labrador dogs live approximately. Remember that all your efforts will pay off handsomely if you set out to make your pet's life as long and happy as possible. If you have already had experience with a long-lived dog, share your tips in the comments. Write your thoughts about proper training and nutrition for Labradors. Long life to you and your four-legged friends!
Caring for an elderly dog
At an advanced age, Labradors can become passive, irritable and disobedient. During this period they need special attention and care:
- Nutrition should be balanced. It is important not to overfeed your pet: over the years, a tendency to gain weight and develop gastrointestinal diseases develops.
- There is no need to worry or disturb the animal. A stable, stress-free environment is optimal for the mental state of an aging dog.
- It is necessary to ensure that the Labrador does not suffer from heat, drafts or hypothermia.
- You should not put too much physical strain on your dog. With age, joints become more fragile, and therefore the likelihood of getting a dislocation, fracture, etc. increases.
How long a Labrador will live depends primarily on the owner. If you choose a puppy with good heredity and provide him with proper care, he will delight his owner for many years.
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The Labrador Retriever is an ideal pet for families with children. This is a harmless dog that is distinguished by its friendliness, cheerfulness, and devotion. The task of each owner is to provide the pet with the correct conditions of detention, because the life expectancy of a Labrador directly depends on this.
Features of training
Labrador loves to play with people, so the owner must show the dog interest in the game. From a young age you need to learn to direct the dog’s restless activity in the right direction; this can be done with the help of special classes.
For training, you need to choose a free area. If classes are held with a puppy, it is important that they are short, since the baby will not be able to concentrate on the same thing for a long time. You should not conduct the lesson in a bad mood or in a hurry - there will be no results.
We invite you to read: Care and maintenance of a kitten - proper care for newborns and kittens one month old
Important! Use a toy as a reward; it is necessary that such a thing is used exclusively for training.
Treats are also suitable, cut them into small pieces so that the puppy can immediately swallow them, use such treats only during classes. When training, constantly move around the area. Don't be discouraged if your pet can't complete the exercise right away; praise him for his effort.
The Labrador is suitable for athletes, teenagers and anyone who loves an active lifestyle; he will happily play, run and share the joy of a walk. Unlike other breeds, the Labrador is not at all aggressive. Even large families have such a pet, because Labradors love children and other pets very much. This dog is suitable for people with disabilities and will be an excellent guide dog.
Gerontological arithmetic
Canine studies declare: the minimum life expectancy of large dogs is twelve years, the maximum optimistic release is twenty (the modern long-lived record holder, the terrier Max, is approaching his thirtieth birthday, but this is already a Guinness book).
Experts from canine gerontology have implemented a summary table/layout, a free ratio of Labrador life/human age. Analyzing parallels and comparing harsh numbers, it is easy to navigate age norms and record anomalies:
- a one and a half year old puppy can be compared with a teenager up to 20 years old;
- 3.5 years - 30 human years;
- 6 years - 40 years;
- 16 years is already 80;
- a twenty-year-old dog is essentially equal to a hundred-year-old man.
