The saddest reality which we don’t want to face is; our dog cannot accompany us throughout our lifespan. Of course, the Golden retriever is no exception to this. So, if you have or are planning to welcome a golden companion in your home then, you must be familiar with: Golder Retriever Lifespan. How Long Do They Live?
Golden Retriever is a larger breed that has a shorter life. Though, they live until they were 16 to 17 years old decades ago. But, nowadays on average, the expected golden retriever lifespan is only 10 to 12 years.
However, though they have a shorter lifespan nowadays, their popularity is increasing and the American Kennel Club ranked them as the 3rd popular dog breed in the USA.
Golden Retriever Introduction
Golden retrievers are Scottish medium-large gun dogs, bred to retrieve shot waterfowl like ducks and upland birds, during shooting and hunting.
Height: 56-61 cm for male and 51-56 cm for female
Weight: 29-34 kg for male and 25-29 kg for female
Coat: double-layered water-resistant, straight or moderately wavy
Color: any shades of gold or cream
Lifespan: 10-12 years
Do Bigger Dogs Have Shorter Lives?
It is still a mystery that the lifespan of a bigger dog is smaller and researchers are searching the link between size and age. Though, new research determines that the larger dogs live shorter and age faster. It is believed that one year of your retriever equals seven human years but this may not be completely true since size also influences the lifespan.
Earlier Situation Of Golden Retriever
In the 1970s, the breed Golden Retriever was not so popular.
The pet owners had no access to health facilities, sufficient vets, health checkup devices, veterinary as well as proper knowledge about raising a pet.
However, the Golden Retriever routinely lived until 16-17 years old at that period.
Present Situation Of Golden Retriever
Golden Retriever is one of the most popular breeds in the USA with a lifespan of 10-12 years.
Colorado – Based Morris Animal Foundation is studying the Golden retriever to find out reasons for shorter life span. And why cancer is so prevalent in this specific breed using 3000 purebred Golden Retriever. The early result of the ongoing study shows;
- 33% of dogs, which are 1-5 years old were victims of skin disease and ear infections
- 17% had gastrointestinal illnesses and
- 11% had the urinary disease
What Is The Reason For The Drop-In Lifespan of Golden Retriever?
The sudden drop in the lifespan of Golden Retrievers is an increasing issue nowadays. Thus, scientists are continuously searching for ways to overcome this. Their survey includes factors contributing to these factors. Like;
- Environmental factors
- Genetics
- Health conditions
What Causes Golden Retriever To Die Young?
The life expectancy of a golden retriever has declined over the years. What do you think is the reason?
According to thorough research over years the research concluded that healthcare and diet are the biggest problems.
It’s disturbing that though there is more access to prompt health facilities nowadays the lifespan of golden is decreasing and more devastating to read that different medicated drugs, vaccinations and surgery are showing a lot of side effects.
Every food manufacturer advertises the best of their products than their competitors fooling us with exaggerated benefits. According to the AKC, many food brands don’t offer the product they promise while some make the food from junk which has no benefit for your lovely pet, though they state their product as best.
Have you ever thought about this?
What may be their reason behind doing so?
Golden Retriever Lifespan. How Long Do They Live?
The large size of golden retrievers automatically decreases their life expectancy. On average, the golden retriever lives a healthy life of 10 to 12 years. That is, humans need to live for seven years to be in the spot of year old golden retriever.
However, there are some rare exceptions; like Augie, who is about to celebrate her 21st birthday in April.
Moreover, do you know what surprises me the most?
Back in old days, though they lack proper access to health facilities and medicament like now Golden retrievers lived for 16-17 years on average.
How Long Is Golden Retriever Lifespan With Cancer?
Most commonly, a dog with cancer lives around 2 months if left untreated. However, you can add more than 12 months to the life of your golden friend with correct treatment and chemotherapy.
This is only an average estimate of the result recorded and the length of time of each retriever life differs.
How Long Do Male And Female Golden Retriever Live? What Is The Difference?
Moreover, the lifespan of both the male and female is the same i.e., 12 years. The only difference lies in health-related differences mainly weight. Most causes show that the male golden retriever tends to eat for two and is heavier. This declines their average lifespan.
Is your Golden retriever overweight?
Are you feeding your pet too much?
Golden Retriever Lifespan And Health-Related Differences
When compared the studies shows, that white golden retriever and traditional golden retriever differ in bone structure and length of fur. There is no difference in health-related problems based on color, size, and gender. The potential to fall sick for all breeds is nearly the same.
Lifespan Of Pure Bred And Mix BredGolden Retriever
The average life span of the purebred is 11-12 years. But though the mix breed 14 for 11-12 years on average, they are susceptible of specific ailment and requires vet frequent checkups and visit to vet. The mixed bred are more prone to genetic disorders and other diseases. Like; dysplasia, glaucoma, thyroid disorders, etc.
Causes Of Decline In Retriever Lifespan
Cancer is the biggest killer of the Golden Retriever causing 61.4% of American Golden Retrievers’ death and 38.8% of death in the UK. The most common are;
- Hemangiosarcoma
- Lymphosarcoma
- Mast cell tumor
- Osteosarcoma
Other disorders seen in most of golden are;
- Hip and Elbow dysplasia
- Eye Diseases (Cataracts, Entropion, Corneal dystrophy, Retinal Dysplasia, Progressive renal atrophy, etc.)
- Sub valvular aortic stenosis and Cardiomyopathy
- Osteochondritis
- Pan osteitis
- Patella Luxation
- Allergies
- Seborrhea, hemophilia, and lick granuloma
Lifespan And Temperature Relation
Golden retriever tolerates and enjoys cold weather between 45º F -90 º F as it has a lustrous double-layered coat which provides them ample warmth in the cold season. But exposure to such temperature for more than 30 minutes is fatal.
Golden retriever’s body temperature is 101 º F to 102 º F, which is regulated through panting, expelling heat out. If they cannot expel the heat their temperature rises leading to a dangerous situation. They cannot even tolerate a 3 º F rise in temperature.
12 Ways To Increase Your Golden Retriever Lifespan?
You surely want your golden to be with you for the longest possible time, don’t you? So, what to do to help them live longer? As mentioned above there are several reasons for your retriever’s death. And all of them may not be mitigated. However, the followings ways can help your retriever to live a longer and healthier life;
Spaying And Neutering
Neutering reduces the risk of testicular cancer in male golden retrievers. Similarly, females are also less prone to mammary cancer after spaying. This adds more than two, three years in their life. The halt in hormone production makes them less likely to get in trouble and roam or break away to explore their dating options. Though these procedures have a 99% success rate, sometimes they show after effects.
Providing Great Nutrition
What you put inside the system determines their longevity. For example; A bike works smoothly for a longer period if you are careful and put high-quality petrol in it. Similar is the case with animals and us humans. If you are lazy and stuff your pet with any and every product, you are deducting their life span. So, only a clean and qualitative meal increases the life expectancy of your golden.
Manage Exercise For Their Longevity
Not just for you, exercise is very important for your retriever too. Exercise relaxes the mind of your golden and makes them less aggressive. It balances your pets’ weight that decreases their chance of joint problems and weight-related health issues.
Limit Stress To Increase Golden Retriever Lifespan
Stress makes your golden prone to many chronic diseases. You can relax your dog by;
- Make them more involved with family members
- Avoid leaving them alone outside
- Analyze the reason for their stress and mitigate it
The happier you make your golden retriever, the longer it lives.
Take Them Regularly For Checkups
Regularly taking your golden to veterinary increases the chances of early prognosis and early treatment of disease. The vaccinations that vets give ensures their protection against various contagious diseases and increase their lifespan.
Golden Retriever Lifespan Increases By Avoiding Toxic Exposure
It is no surprise that reducing toxic exposure increases their lifespan. However, you are not always successful in controlling everything in their surrounding in which they interact. So,
- Restrict your pet from chewing things that might be treated by chemicals.
- Don’t let them lick surfaces cleaned with chemicals.
- Choose the food and product of your retriever carefully
Minimize The Chance Of Accidents
Many of the pets die in accidents and I think we can avoid them. The most common cause of the accident is to allow your golden to roam outdoors without supervision.
Thus, fencing your property securely prevents them from escaping and keeps them under supervision. Furthermore, you should train your pet to come quickly when you call them in an emergency.
Take Care Of Their Dental Hygiene
Dental cleaning is important to increase your retriever’s longevity. The plaque builds up in the mouth of your pet reaches the bloodstream and damages their internal organs. Thus, make sure they have clean teeth by brushing their teeth at home.
Apply Sunscreen On Them In Sunny Days
Golden retrievers being lighter in color are more prone to sunburn. They may get skin cancer if exposed to the sun for a longer period. So, they need protection from the sun to shine for a longer time. You can apply a dog-safe sunscreen to the tip of their nose, around their eyes, ears, and tummy. You can use the sunscreen that your vet recommends.
Feeding Supplements Increase Golden Retriever Lifespan
You can give health supplements to your retriever according to their health condition as per the recommendation of your vet. Like, glucosamine and chondroitin benefit the retriever’s joint as the joint supplement. Overall inflammation is reduced by Omega 3 fatty acids.
Golden Retriever Lifespan Increases By Managing their Weight
If you keep your retriever lean and give them just enough amount of quantitative food helps them a lot in living longer. Balance weight decreases the chances of hip and joint pain, heart disease, and thyroid disorders. Your kindness with foods and treats causes them to gain weight deducting years from their life. A little less feeding leads to longer and qualitative life.
According to a research study, dogs feed with 25% less than the control groups lived a long life of 1.8 years. So, if you truly love your control your emotions and give them only the required amount of food.
Proper Grooming Increases The Golden Retriever’s Lifespan
Proper grooming (like; brushing their coat, trimming their nails, cleaning teeth, paws, and ears, etc.) not only makes your retriever smart but also increases their lifespan. Grooming also gives you a chance to check for lumps and painful spots.
What Is The Good Food For Your Golden Retriever?
You know that the importance of good food in increasing life expectancy. The good food should thus contain a lot of nutrition such as;
- Variety of grains
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Meats with fillers
Every dog food on market doesn’t contain all these nutrients so, be careful and read the label. More to this you can use the Veterinary manual to find the recommended food for your golden.
Have ever checked the label of your dog’s food?
Do you think the manufacturer gave the product they have promised?
Don’t you think a homemade meal including all the above nutrients will the best for your retriever?
Is longevity Inherited By Golden Retriever?
Since genetic disorders and other diseases are known to all breeds of golden they don’t have inherited longevity. Instead, the breeds are prone to allergies, skin problems, cancer, hypothyroidism, eye problems, heart diseases, hips dysplasia, etc.
Though hip and joint pain will not cause death the pain decreases the retriever’s quality of life.
7 Crazy Facts About Golden Retriever Lifespan
- Golden retriever lives for 10-12 years, which is about the same as other breeds of the dogs with similar size
- Augie is aged 20 years and currently the oldest golden retriever. It was born on April 4, 2000.
- Cancer is the major cause of golden retrievers’ death. And the Morris Animal Foundation Golden Retriever Lifetime Study stated that 60% of golden retrievers are impacted by cancer which is double the rate of other breeds.
- 3,000 Golden Retriever participated in the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study 2012 launched by the Morris Animal Foundation to increase retriever’s heath.
- The most common health issues of golden retriever are;
- Sub-aortic disorder (SOS)
- Seizures
- Osteosarcoma
- Mast cell tumors
- Hypothyroidism
- Hip and elbow dysplasia, etc.
- Since their playful attitudes last throughout their life, they are called “Puppies for life”.
- The faces of golden retrievers turn gray or white as they age.
Your Golden retriever is your companion for only a short span of life but you can add up some years in their life by the above ways.
Don’t you want your Golden to live longer?
Will you imply these ways to increase their life span?
Some FAQs
What is the most common reason for golden retriever death?
Golden retrievers die from bone cancer, lymphoma, and blood cancer most commonly.
What is bad about a golden retriever?
They have a shorter life span and are prone to health problems like; cancer, epilepsy, heart disease, skin disease, cataracts, etc.
When does the golden retriever calm down?
The golden retriever becomes calmer when it is around 2 years old. Since it has pent-up energy manifested in the puppy stage.
What temperature can Golden retriever stand?
They can stand only up to 45ºF-90ºF temperature. If it gets heated up above 102ºF then, they will be in danger.
What are the types of Golden retrievers?
Based on color: Golden, light golden ad dark golden
On the basis countries bred- English, Canadian and American
How to know a purebred Golden retriever?
A purebred Golden Retriever is accompanied by a ‘pedigree’. It has an indication of the puppy’s family tree or its ancestry. A pedigree normally dates back at least four generations and it exhibits all the enrolled names of the puppy’s ancestor.
At what age do golden retriever stops growing?
Though the golden retriever is considered an adult after about 16 months it grows until it is 2 years old.
What is the cost of a purebred golden retriever?
It costs $500-$2,000 on average. Though the pet store or home breeder gives golden retrievers at a lower price but without AKC documentation. Moreover, dogs with excellent bloodlines and/or special characteristics like a smaller size will cost more, around the $1,000-$2,000 range.
Is rice good for a golden retriever?
If your golden is not allergic to rice and grains. Then, both brown and white rice both are good for retrievers
What is the most dangerous food for your pet?
All chocolates, leftover foods, uncooked food, etc. dangerous for your pet
What is the healthiest food found in the market?
- Organic Chicken & Oatmeal Dry Dog Food.
- Zignature Lamb Limited Ingredient Canned Dog Food.
- Freshpet Fresh From the Kitchen.
- The Farmer’s Dog
- Taste of the Wild Ancient Prairie.
- Instinct RawBoost Mixers.
