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.
Contents
- Factors influencing Labrador lifespan
- Genetics, diseases and body shape
- Do pedigree Labs live longer?
- The coat color conundrum
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 isn’t a guaranteed Labrador lifespan for every dog. Some Labradors live a good deal longer than twelve. But some don’t make it to ten.
There are two key categories of factors that influence your Labrador’s 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Life span statistics for dogs are often wildly inaccurate, based on outdated information.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 don’t 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. Let’s 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 don’t 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 don’t 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 dog’s 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 don’t 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 won’t 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 doesn’t mean your Boxador will outlive your neighbors pedigree Lab however, it’s 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.
Let’s 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 don’t know if the two main Labrador ‘types’ differ. So we can’t 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. Let’s 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 isn’t 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 dog’s 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.
Don’t 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 dog’s 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.
(paid link)
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 isn’t 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 dog’s 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 don’t give in to your dog’s 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
Our most recent very lovable Lab, Micca, reached 14, when her back legs & bowel/bladder failed. To preserve her dignity the time for euthanasia had arrived. Her half sister pinned for weeks but now seems over it. We sense Micca is still around.
We have a chocolate brown/black lab. She will be 15 hopefully in March. Apart from wobbly legs she has survived cancer( vet only gave her 6 9 months with chemo which she could have and that was 3 years ago. We put it down to the fact she is stubborn and won’t give in, she is also on Metacam a anti-inflamatory medication which is proven to keep tumors down. We love her to bits.
Dusty is my handsome yellow lab who turned 12 the day after Christmas. He weighs 95lbs which his vet says is just right for his frame. He’s had hip dysplasia most of his life, controlled by exercise and proper diet (prescription Science Diet). He has recently become diabetic and was diagnosed with laryngeal paralysis but doesn’t appear to be slowing down much. I own a screen printing and embroidery shop and am fortunate to be able to bring him with me everyday. All of my customers, employees and vendors love him. For some, he’s the reason they come here.
We had a beautiful yellow lab called Becky she was 15 years, she passed away in June this year. I found this terribly upsetting . We also have two chocolate labs one age 14 and the other is 8 years old . The 14 year old has a benign tumor on his left leg . This is the size of plum , it does not bother him he just walks around with it.
My Laci, my sweet Laci. She was born on 2/18/97 and sadly passed away from a stroke on 6/29/15. She was 18 years 4 months and 11 days old. She was my first love, a beautiful yellow lab. She had a lot of the common issues linked to the breed. I miss her dearly and can’t wait to see her again. ❤?❤
18 years is an amazing age for a Lab Erin, you must miss her terribly.
hi we have a chocolate lab whos coming up tp 11 hes fit as a fiddle not a grey hair in sight ,hes never ever been ill or to the vets,he still thinks hes a pup.
Our female chocolate lab Nellie will turn 14 next month and seems generally quite healthy. Of course she sleeps more than she used to, and her “ups” to jump into the back seat of the car have up and left her (so we lift her in and out of the car). With a touch of arthritis that so far we can control with Rimadyl and a bit of nighttime incontinence that we control with Proin. Small prices to pay to extend Nellie’s happy and otherwise healthy life. She has been covered with those fatty lumps and she has a grey chin and grey belly …. but she still wants to chase the deer! (Hasn’t come close to catching one yet, however).
We don’t know how much longer we have with her but we know the time is precious. There is just nothing sweeter than a labrador!
We have an 18+ year old Black Lab. His name is Luke. We think he is doing pretty well for being over 18. He has some shaking that has been increasing lately, but he is still just as much a part of our lives as he can be. We have three other smaller dogs that keep him moving and playing barking games with him. We really believe the other dogs are a big part of him still being with us. His joints obviously hurt when he walks but he still trys to get part way down the street with the other dogs on a walk.
We will just cherish all the time we have with him!
My beautiful lab, Pol, just turned 15. She’s slowing down a bit now although still loves going for walks, her back legs have just started to stiffen and she’s been having some problems getting stood up on our wood floors. Pol is happy, very loving, enjoys cuddles and so very precious to us all, we know we’re living on borrowed time in terms of her life expectancy but every day she is still with us is a gift we treasure. Her parents both lived to the ripe old age of 19!
We lost are beloved Simba several years ago…He was a black 125 lb lab and we got him from the local shelter. We took one look at him and that was it love at first sight. His favorite activity was …on rare occasions he would knock me down bolt out the door to chase after the UPS truck. Thankfully the driver new of this and always waited for me to get Simba before he would drive off. I could go on and on with wonderful stories like the time I was defrosting steak for dinner and I left the kitchen for a bit and there was Simba gobbling up about 30 bucks worth of beef. Or when I would go for a drive he would lay his head right along side of me. The vet told me about a year prior to his passing he was on borrowed time when he was about 11. As with most labs he started having issues walking and moving around. He finally had a stroke and we did everything to ease his pain, and see of he would recover. When we made the decision after praying long and hard the vet let us have a private moment with him which lasted several hours. When it came time for Simba to go with God the vet let me lay down next to him. Simba looked at me for the last time and a tear came to his eyes, I don’t think I could ever love a family member more than our wonderful Simba. We are just now looking at getting another pup to love!
I believe it is a good idea to give dogs and filtered water. Water free of chemicals is better for them. When I was giving my cat regular tap water he had little bumps on his body. After giving him filtered water or bottled water, his bumps went away. Unfortunately, he only live to age 14, which is still older than the other cats we had… they only lived for 12 years. This is not a comment to the above, it’s just
my opinion. When our yellow lab ran away, by digging under the fence. It was a big heart-break for me! He never returned, but my daughter said I will see him in heaven someday…. Now I have a big black lab, my son calls him a big black donkey. He loves to sleep on the couch and bed.
Hi Kathy, your post caught my attention with your comment about dogs and tap water. Our family relocated from Nevada to Pennsylvania about 16 years ago. Within a few years of living in Pennsylvania I began to see a common ailment among the pets in our area, these lumps and fatty tumors. I found this alarming that it was so common to see on pets, never have seen these lumps on any of the many dogs I have had in my 30 years living in Nevada or any of my friends pets. That was enough for me to assume that the cause most likely is tap water and began to use a water filtration dispenser for our pets as well.
Out of curiosity, may I ask where you are located?
I have a 16 yr old yellow lab with in three weeks he lost 10 pounds. our lb the past month has been flipping over everything in the house including heavy chais to toys, flipping over outside benches and our toddlers wagon and bikes outside. our lab has been digging at carpets contiunsly in the home expecially at bed time and is peeping in house while were standing right at back door and hes house broke.if he were to pee in house it was always when were not home and he always peed in front of fridge always. know he pees everyewhere. hes never sleep in our bed the last three months hes up and down constantly sits on me and lays down scratches at my neck then jumps down and diggs at carpet then back up in bed over and over this is all night so we dont sleep cause hes digging all night or jumping on us digging at us. hes been to vet they say his kidneys shutting down he wont eat the variety brands of kidney food given hes been givin meds for ripping all his black paw off bottom of foot so hes been giving him thses meds and no change in our dog tramadol, amoxicillin,vasodilator,antacid,prednisone,pet form chewable vitamin. he knows these are hidden in food and refuses to eat so got him pill pockets wont eat pills so hes been give n shots. our dog quit eating 2 weeks ago we been give n him hot dogs and tuna he bearly eats that the last 3 days has been watery bow movements. every time we take him to vets hes lose n more he weight 45 lbs last month now he weights 30 with in a month.any suggestions please e mail us we r scheduled to put him to sleep monday please best suggestions
My beautiful yellow lab Mia was diagnosed at the tender age of 2 with elbow dysplasia and acute osteo and rheumatoid arthritis (due to bad breeding!). The vet said that he had never seen such severe arthritis in such a young dog. I was told that it would drastically reduce her life span – I was heart broken. At about the same time, I changed her diet to “The Barf Diet” (Bones and Raw Food – See Dr. Ian Billinghurst). My little, baby girl is now amazingly 14.3 years old and still going strong! She has outlived all her gorgeous “arthritic free” lab friends. I would urge all dog loving mummies and daddies to ditch artificial, processed, supposed “dog food”, and give them what nature intended i.e. a natural, raw diet.
We have a 15 year old lab. Just turned 15 in July. He wasn’t supposed to
Live past the weekend we got him
Because of some trouble he had as a puppy, he’s been bitten by a brown snake & surrvived. Tough little guy he is!
But his back legs over the last few months have started getting worse.. He still has more good days then bad but he’s also started to loose control over his bladder. Does any one have any recommendations for foods ?
When he was a puppy the first meal he ever ate was our family spaghetti because he jumped up on the table and got
Into it & he really isn’t your average dog.. He’s picky with food but loves to
Pretty much sit right beside you / on you whenever we are sitting down..
Our yellow lab turned 15 in April and we are seeing some of the very same issues – extreme weakness and it seems atrophy in the back legs, significant bladder and other control issues (if he barks to go out, you’d better run to the back door pronto or be prepared to spend 30+ minutes on cleanup). He is still trying so hard but it takes him multiple tries to get up when lying down. He tries to spin himself around to get better leverage but the back legs start slipping out from under him, especially on the wood and tile flooring areas of our home. Once he gets up, he can remain mobile for a while but stiffens back up after long rests. He has become increasingly picky about foods, can’t be fooled by hiding pills in food any more. We are distraught as we know are inching closer to that dreaded day, especially with the onset of winter in the Chicago area increasing the likelihood that he could slip on the ice and break a leg. I have already and will continue to shed tears every time I think about it but have to do what is best for him so his time does not end with pain. All Lab lovers please say a little prayer for our Flash to make it through Thanksgiving so all the daughters returning from new jobs and college get to see him in the event Christmas is too far a bridge to cross for him. Thanks.
Mel, sorry to hijack your post. Whatever his ongoing issues, and through he’s not the walking garbage disposal he used to be, he has yet to turn up his nose at rotisserie chicken or bacon. I’m not competent to tell you whether it will help or hurt your pet’s overall condition, but it scores big points on the making him happy scale. Best of luck.
I am the fortunate recipient of the love and devotion of Barbie, my yellow lab. She chose me as her human and I have kept my promise to her to give her a comfortable, happy life for the rest of her days. My wife brought her to our home. She was a lost dog. A friend of my wife found her with a collar and a leash and spent about a month looking for her owners with no luck. She had been well cared for and loved by her owners. As time went by, I began to notice she had an unusual way of communicating with people. I seemed to understand her and so she chose me. We seem to have a physic connection. We estimate that she was about 6 when she joined us which puts her at around 14 now. At about 10-11 years old she began to slow down noticeably, but she continues to enjoy life even at her slower pace. In fact, recently she learned to open the fridge, which we now have to keep locked with a piece of duct tape. I know that she is near the end of her life and I have no regrets. She is such a good friend.
My lovely Maisie, yellow lab, lived until she was nearly 15. She was the loveliest dog (my first) and her happy nature lit up all our lives. She was a typical lab with food (anything except lettuce) but we kept her slim. The day before she died she still had her walk in the fields. The next morning she went into the garden, came back and never got up again. She died in my daughter’s arms at the vets…still wagging her tail. Her memory lives in all our family photos – since she was part of it for an important time as my children grew into adults.
Labradors are very special -we now have Ella who is 2 but it took a year being lab free to realise life wasn’t the same!!
My Jake, apricot colored lab only lived to be 91/2 due to a cancerous tumor that grew very fast. He slowed
down alot , was my walking partner, we rescued him at age 6, he was grossly overweight and unhealthy, i
began walking him daily, and put him on a good diet, he looked younger and beautiful within a few months, loved swimming, was like a puppy when he saw water, floated like a seal, Jake was such a soulful loving lab, always detected when i was down or having bad day. We chose to put him down 2 weeks ago, as the tumor was robbing his nutrients, he couldnt keep up, was starving, hardest decision ive ever made , I miss him terribly,
Have decided to adopt another lab, this one a little younger 1-1/2, hope to have him a little longer, names Roscoe, will never replace my Jake, but have lots of love to give another,
All dogs do go to heaven….. RIP Jake “the comforter” you are truly missed !
Sorry for your loss Berni, I’m sure that Roscoe will bring you much joy too.
I had a beautiful black lab but i had to put him to sleep in march he hadva bleed on the brain and he had started with dementia he was the most loveing and beautiful dog i have ever had i now have another black labrador who is 7 months old but i still miss our king
My dog maggiemay is a female, fixed black lab. I adopted her at the age of human 6 years old in 2005. She is 16 now.
I m very sorry . I feel heavy when I read a death of a lab. My buddy pepper is 3+. I don’t want anyone using the word dog when they are named like us.
Zoe has a Cocker Spaniel mom and Choc Lab dad…and looks like a mini choc lab with fuzzy ears. Loving and fun and will be 2 in Jan. We are so blessed with this little guy since he loves to hang out all day at home with my husband and greets me at the door after work. Huge amount of love given to us from this little package of puppy.
“Casey”, our black American Field lab, is 12 and 3/4 years old. Great dog since day 1. Didn’t like long walks BUT lived to play “watch me’ Frisbee (non-verbal commands, all hand gestures) and normally went for 30-40 throws every day thu 10 years, then slowed done considerably after that – also, we did not want the stress of jumping to have a negative impact on her…she is very much home body and loves everybody; loves to stay in and go for very short walks (we have an acre fenced yard). Casey developed benign lipomas at age 10 and has about 12…a few larger than a golf ball. Her health is good, but she is on a renal diet – Weight is 86 pounds. We are fortunate to have her with us – and with us for nearly 13 years. We had 2 Goldens who died at 8 and 1.5 years; so, we feel blessed. Dogs…all dogs…are a blessing from Above.
Dogs are indeed a blessing Scott, hope you and Casey have many more happy months together.
I came to this article as I have just lost one of my best friends Aasha, our beautiful daughter who was the run of the litter and food in the end did not make a recovery. She had diabetes which we were keeping under control that had complications after they found a growth in the uterus, she was 10 1/2 years old and I had to make the decision to put her down as she was declining in health after five days trying to recover from the surgery and complications from diabetes.
The reason why I am writing on here is to help others decision to you six there if they are not going to breed, had when she was younger maybe she wouldn’t have developed the diabetes is and the complications that is too death. I am devastated to lose my Little bundle of happiness and joy and so is her sister is too, They came from the same litter and Abbey is looking for his sister.
I hope that others will make the decision to have the dogs desexed especially in the Labrador breed is not going to breed them as it does make sense to avoid all the different complications that can happen is not having it done.
RIP my beautiful Aasha <3 you will for ever be in our hearts and minds <3
Very sorry for you loss Michelle. For others reading, there is more information on the benefits and risks of neutering in this section https://www.thelabradorsite.com/neutering-your-labrador/
My black lab Bob is 14.5 he had a 3.9kg tumour removed from his bowel at age 11 and last week had a laryngeal tie as he could not breathe properly. He is now back to running around with a wagging tail!
Wow Donna I’m am so happy to here that, My dog Bear, will be 10 in Feb. and he has a mass blocking his bowels. I have a referral for a specialist just waiting for the call. was trying to decide what to do, is it worth it to put my buddy thru this surgery? will he survive for more than 6 months? I am so happy to here this it brings tears to my eyes, I just applied for the carecredit card to help with the payment. Oh and I just put my cat down two weeks ago had FIV did what I could for the last three month of his life, fluids meds you name it.. the weird thing is Bear is acting normal except for the problems have a bowel movement. I so happy for you, I hope I have the same luck. and thanks for writing and giving me hope
Yours Truely
John aka Jack
My Simba had a collapsed larynx too, but the Vet said the operation doesn’t always work and he could pass from other complcations from the operation. I had to make a decision the hardest I ever did I miss him every day!!
My lab, Tucker, lived to be 17 years old. We had to put her down because the arthritis in her back legs got so bad she could no longer hold her back end up. Other than that she was very healthy at 17 years old which is why I had a very hard time putting her down. But I knew it was the best thing for her and would end her suffering. I miss her everyday.
17 years is an amazing age for a Labrador – you must miss her very much
I have a 13 year old lab. He has weak hind legs and goes for only short walks. When he’s not asleep, he still has lots of spirit in him. What i want to learn is, why is there a need to put down dogs? Can we not treat them with pain killers? If a dog is family, would we euthanize our parents or grandparents? Im not judging, I really wish to learn when and why it’s necessary.
The purpose of euthanasia is to prevent suffering Sandy, and sadly there comes a point for some dogs, when it is no longer possible to prevent suffering or to enable the dog to have any quality of life. You may find this article helpful, a lot of people with elderly dogs have commented,both before and after their loss. There are plenty that believe in euthanasia for people too, when quality of life has gone, but that is a whole other story.
I agree totally with what Pippa is saying. I personally have had to watch many family (human) members suffer ALOT. They didn’t have quality of life. I’ve have actually prayed that the lord would take their suffering away. I have personally never had to put a animal down but I know it is very hard decision to make. When a animal is suffering and not having quality of life you have to put their feelings above your own and let go at times.
Thanks for your time
Lisa
Hello. My black lab passed away 4 months ago and I didn’t know it until right now 🙁 they never told me. he was only 2 and 4 months. He’s name is Uno. They told me he died because of fear of thunder and heavy rain and just collapsed. 🙁 Is it really possible that a lab can die because of a heavy rain? Is it heart attack? Thank you.
Very sorry for your loss Jan, sadly, it isn’t possible for anyone who wasn’t involved in his care to tell you why your puppy died.
Had to put my Casey to sleep tonight. She was a big black lab and the sweetest dog anyone would want. She got sick and the prognosis wasn’t good and they would have had to do ex oratory surgery and her quality of life, if she survived, would not have been great . So we gathered around her and were
With her and loving her when the doctor administered the medicine to let her pass. My heart is breaking but I wanted to write a tribute to My Casey – may she RIP
And keep running and jumping in heaven. Thank you for letting g me post this.
Very sorry for your loss Pat
feel for u x
Does the food you give your dog play a role in its longevity?
Hi Iris, several studies have found that less food or calorie restriction can increase longevity, but I haven’t found any studies comparing longevity in dogs fed on different types of food (e.g. raw versus kibble) That would be very interesting!
I am battling with the decision to put my 14 year and three month old lab to rest. She is my best friend and has been the light of my life. But I have watched her decline the past few months. She drags her back end has started soiling in the house on occasion some days cannot make up the stairs. I have carried her sometimes. I sleep on my couch for the past four months cause stairs to my bedroom are hard for her. She loves to swim but the other day just waded in the water. I am getting married this weekend and going on a honeymoon I don’t want something to happen when I am away. I don’t want her to get to the point of total immobility and loss of dignity so made appointment for tomorrow night. But I have cried all week if its the right thing to do?
So sorry to here that hope u r ok xx
with any animal this is hard I know have had to make that choice several times and I say every time I will not let my animal suffer but as always it is so hard and I wait and wait spend what ever I can to make them happy but in the end only you can make the choice to help your best friend out, just keep asking yourself what is best for her.. My heart is with you and best of luck in your honeymoon maybe you both will find some littler one together..
I just rescued an older, a 9-year-old chocolate. Her name is now Mousse, like the dessert. She had been abandoned. She was just spayed and one of her mammary glands was removed, large benign tumor. She is so sweet and gentle. Not very lively. Does not like to play much although she has a good sized-yard.
Shadow, my black lab, had cancer of the jaw at age 10, which I only had surgically removed, but she lived to be 16 1/2 years old. However, I don’t think the age is the issue-it’s the quality of those years that’s important. I often see people walking dogs and the dogs are so obviously in pain with every step that it breaks my heart. I know how difficult the decision to euthanize your beloved companion is (I had to do this with Shadow), but it’s important to think of what is best for the dog-at any age.
My AKC black lab Bailey Mai is just under a year old and truly an exceptional smart, playful, well behaved, fun loving typical lab. She has been with me every day since she was 7 weeks old and I am lucky enough to have her with me at work every day. She is loved by all especially my children. I only hope I have her till she is 16! I think it is awesome that Pippa reads and replys with such concern to all of the messages, your a class act. Thank you
Thank you for your kind comment Jerry 🙂 Best wishes to you and Bailey Mai
I disagree with Thunderballs and comments like the others give me hope that my Jazz and Jynx will live long lives. I lost my last dog a Golden Retreiver to cancer at eight and hearing about people who have had Labs until they were 16 or 17 makes me feel good. I think Thunderballs is still in mourning for her Chocolate especially since death came quickly like my dog’s did and it is hard to wrap your head around the fact that they are gone.
Glad you find the comments encouraging, I do too 🙂
One of our Labs lived to the age of 17 years, 3 months.
That’s a good long life! 🙂
My Choc Lab died about 3 weeks ago. She had a very hasppy healthy life but died quickly within a week showing few signs other than being lethargic.
She was a week or so short of 11 and was swimming and playing right to the end.
I do think it is a little foolish to be concentrating on getting comments from people whose dogs have lived beyond the average.
The average lifespan is what people should expect and by asking for comments from longer lived labs what are you trying to achieve ?
i do understand it is important to be optimistic but there are too many wishy washy articles like this when you would perhaps be better talking about the processes and signs of dogs dying rather than going for the low hanging fruit of an article like this.
I’m sorry that you found the article wishy washy, I try to include interesting information in all my articles. This one focuses on life span and inevitably there is huge variation between individual dogs. We also have articles on caring for senior dogs and several that deal with death and dying including this one https://www.thelabradorsite.com/knowing-when-to-let-go-of-your-labrador/
But most of all I am so sorry that you lost your own dog recently. With best wishes, Pippa
I love hearing stories about how long other people have had their beloved pets.
I’m sorry the gentleman that commented on your stories was so harsh. I think some of that came from his own grieving as it sounds like he just lost his own dog.
I lost a beloved dog just a few months ago that was 16 years old, (he was not a lab.) I now have a lab pup who just turned 7mo. We got him at 8 weeks, I’m looking forward to a long and happy relationship with him, but if its not to be many many years I will be grateful for as long as we get together!! He’s quite a character and I love him to pieces.
Sorry to hear you have lost your dog Sherry. Thanks for your kind words and good luck with your Labrador puppy 🙂
Both of my last two labs lived to great old age. The first, Giles , was a lovely, large red fox, who lived to 2 months off his 17th birthday! My last lovely girl. Poppy, lived to 6 weeks from her 16th birthday. Maybe this is luck, but they were both very active until a couple of years before the end. The last two years they aged like stately grandparents. Both eventually had to be put to sleep as their back legs were going.
I have a lovely black labrador called Dan. We rescued him when he was 9 months old after he had been abandoned by 5 diffirent owners, he is now 15 years old. My mum claims it wasnt her who picked him but him who picked her and they have been the best of friends since. I know the day is fast approaching where he will no longer be with us as he’s very old and showing signs of old age affecting him and it breaks my heart knowing we dont have much longer with him.
Hi Hayley, sorry to hear that your boy is getting old, it’s a very tough time. How lovely that your family have given him such a good long, happy life. Hope that brings you some comfort.
My old girlie, Riva is 13 and a half. Getting a bit slow now, a little deaf, but loves to get brushed, loves her food. Has shorter walks as she can’t keep up with others on longer walks now ??
My wonderful lovely Chocolate Lab called harry is 10yrs old in October, we have just found out he has cancer of the small intestines a week ago following at op to find out problem. After 3 days in vets we were allowed to bring him home but had to take him back each day my husband and I said on Tuesday morning he’s stays at home he’s still have meds but the change in him is wonderful eating roast beef [only small amount] and drinking. This evening he asked to go in car to take the rubbish as he’s always done just a ride in the car sitting with rubbish. We are now hoping to start chemo within the next 5 days fingers crossed. Has anybody had chemo on there Lab and can give advise please.
No personal experience of chemo for dogs I’m afraid, though I understand that dogs suffer less side effects than people, but just wanted to wish you and Harry all the best
Our choc girl will be 15 in three weeks time. She inherited PRA and has been totally blind since before she was 5, two thirds of her life. She is amazing but it is now sleeping nearly all the time. Being a lab her appetite is still excellent. We cherish her x
She sounds lovely Annie 🙂
My beloved Toby was 16 when I had to make the decision to put him to sleep. He was my best friend and I miss him still even though it was 5 years ago. He was deaf, going blind, had arthritis and spent most of his days sleeping towards the end of his life, but he loved his walks, swimming, chasing sea gulls and just hanging out. He lived for his meals and never left my side.
I now have a wonderful girl, Ella who has helped heal the hole that Toby left.
My black boy, nicknamed “Flash” was rescued at 9 months, our vet said he wouldn’t see 7 years as his hips were really bad, he dislocated them every time he jumped up. But with hard work and physio he had a happy and long life. Sadly we had to have him put down 5 weeks ago, aged 13.
Sorry for your loss Toni, but very glad you were able to give Flash a good life
My yellow girl, Chesse, turned 15 in mid-June. She really started showing her age within the last year but so far, her good days outweigh the bad moments. I truly cherish each and every minute with her because as hard as it is to think about, I know at some point, the time will come to make *that* decision.
My Maggie lived to 14 years. She has a cruciate op on her back leg that she recovered from beautifully.
Sadly SHE got older and heavier she battled to walk and get up the stairs. She was my life, my companion and I loved her dearly. I had to have her put down as she could no longer stand. The vet kindly came to our house, she was in her environment and she left us. Two years now and I sorely miss her. We now have two senior rescue retrievers which bring us much much joy. RIP SWEET MAGGIE. XXXXX
Such a tough decision. So glad your rescue dogs are giving you joy 🙂
I have had three labs, all AKC. Hoodie, my first was a big English Chocolate and live to be 12, he had cancer of the spine and DM so we had to let him go when he told us it was time. Liz, my American Black, developed mouth cancer and again we had to put her down at age 13. She was out of a Master Hunter and has siblings who were also MH and FC. My last one lived to age 14. We got Sage, an English Chocolate, as a rehome at age 10 and already suffering from arthritis. She developed DM and spinal neuropathy with wasting. We lost her a week ago. Loved each of them, the first two retrieved and Sage was content to just watch Liz.
Thank you for sharing Bonne, so sorry you lost Sage, these are such special dogs
My 1st lab Jazz was a English lab. She lived 2 month shy of her 14th birthday. Sadly we had to put her down when she had cysts that was causing her not to breathe easily and her back legs where giving out on her. It was a tough and loving choice. Still miss her.
Thank you for sharing, these are such difficult decisions
We had a lab that we rescued at 18 months old. Her name was Cleopatra. She recently died of congestive heart failure. She was 14 years old. She will forever be missed in our family!
Love the name Cleopatra, and so sorry for your loss
She sounds lovely, and fifteen is a good age for a Labrador
My sweet yellow lab Toby passed away when she was 16 years and 3 months old. We had to let her go.
She was always so sweet and very cheerful till the end. It happened 2 years ago, but I still miss her sooo much 🙁
So sorry to hear you lost your friend Sanne
please, I can’t even imagine. Very sorry. My pepper is 3+ yr old . My heart go heavy if read the the death of any lab.