Labrador Lifespan: Science-Backed Ways To Help Your Lab Live Longer
When you have found the perfect friend, you want to know that they are going to be around for the longest time! So today we are going to talk about what you can do to help your dog enjoy as many healthy years as possible.
Most Lab parents know that a lifespan of ten to twelve years is considered normal for the breed. But of course some Labrador don’t reach the ten year milestone while others go far beyond it. In fact, there is a confirmed report of a Labrador living to the remarkable age of 19.
Of course, genes play a part, but research shows that the daily choices you make as an owner can have a major impact on your Labrador’s longevity. And some of the latest research is very encouraging!
What We Know So Far
We don’t have to rely on guesswork when it comes to Labrador lifespan. Several large studies have given us solid data. If you are used to talking in averages, median is simply the middle number in a sorted list of numbers!
- A 2004 survey of over 500 Labradors found a median age at death of 12.25 years.
- A 2013 study of 400 dogs placed the median slightly higher at 12.5 years.
- A more recent 2018 study of over 30,000 Labradors gave a median longevity of 12 years overall.
So, the weight of evidence now suggests that the average Labrador lifespan is roughly 12 years.
Encouragingly, newer research hints this may be improving. A small study published in 2020 suggested Labrador life expectancy might now be closer to 14 years. And of course, countless owners have stories of their Labs thriving at 15 or beyond.
You’ll find a selection of them in the comments at the foot of this article. Along with many heartwarming stories from those that have shared their lives with these exceptional dogs.
How Lifespan Is Influenced
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.
So we’ll look at these two main factors separately below. But if you are a science nerd, here’s a peek at the latest from researchers working at the cutting edge of dog genetics
New Insights from Canine Research
We all want to help our dogs reach these big numbers, and while nothing is guaranteed, there are things you can do to influence them. Let’s look first at the genes controlling how your dog looks and behaves. These set broad limits to the lifespan of your Labrador.
Genetics and Labrador Lifespan
Your dog’s genetic inheritance sets broad limits on their lifespan, not just through the aging process, but through the physical attributes and susceptibility to disease that are passed on from parents to puppies
Body shape and fitness
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
Genes control some aspects of your dog’s behavior. And their ability to carry out tasks like running and hunting, or fetching things. However, temperament, including tendency to fearfulness, is influenced by both 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.
Disease
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.
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. For some of these diseases, hip dysplasia and CNM for example, we have tests that should be carried out before breeding adult dogs.
There are currently no tests for diseases like cancer. A 2004 study showed that sadly, 31% of Labradors die of cancer, slightly more than the average rate of cancer in dogs overall.
Size
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 that belong to 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 average toy poodle.
Color
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 that of 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.
What you can do – Genetic issues
Right now, there is nothing you can do to change the genetic information of the dog in front of you. But if you are planning on getting a puppy there is a lot you can do to avoid bad genes and therefore increase their chances of living a longer life.
- Health checks: The first and most important step is to choose a responsible breeder that has health tested her breeding stock AND to ask for copies of the certificates that prove the results are good.
- Avoid inbreeding: Many diseases are carried by recessive genes, and inbreeding increases the risk of those pesky recessive genes getting together, so picking a puppy with a co-efficient of inbreeding below 5% may also help. Choosing a puppy with an older father may help increase your pups chance of avoiding genes that drastically reduce lifespan, and if you are aware of potential problems, you can sometimes mitigate them with good lifestyle management strategies. We’ll look at those below.
- Color: If you have no strong personal preference, the evidence suggests that choosing a yellow or black puppy may give your dog a better chance of longevity
Lifestyle and Management Factors
While genes set the stage, the way you manage your Labrador’s life is critical. Here are the factors that make the biggest difference:
Obesity
The biggest influence you can control regarding your dog’s longevity and enjoyment of life is their bodyweight. Extra weight is one of the strongest predictors of shortened lifespan in dogs. Studies show that lean dogs live significantly longer and suffer fewer health problems. Yet obesity is increasingly common in dogs, and Labradors in particular.
Labradors are famously food-driven, so keeping them slim requires vigilance — but it is the single most powerful way to extend their life. I know it’s tough but you have the keys to the larder, and for their sake you need to resist your dog’s charms.
Accidents
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 those statistics
Vaccination and health care
Veterinary treatment isn’t cheap, but it is important. Vaccination protects against infectious diseases that are still deadly in many parts of the world. And there are still regular outbreaks in most regions of potentially fatal diseases like parvovirus. Routine health checks, parasite control, and early veterinary intervention for problems all contribute to a longer, healthier life.
What about neutering?
It used to be believed that neutering increased life expectancy. Older studies showed a higher death rate for unneutered dogs but this was partly because they were uncontrolled. They had the urge to roam, the ability to leave the backyard, and suffered a higher rate of accidents than neutered dogs.
Neutering early does reduce the risk of mammary cancer, but more recent studies have linked the procedure to an increased risk of some other forms of cancer, some of which may be harder to detect. And also to joint disease. So the balance of benefits vs risk for neutering is no longer clear cut
(paid link)Training
A majority of dogs that are surrendered to animal shelters and rescue centers are untrained, or have minimal training. Most shelters cannot support all the dogs they rescue and euthanasia is a possibility for many dogs that are surrendered. And there is no doubt that training improves a dog’s chances of remaining with their loving family throughout their lifetime.
What you can do – Lifestyle Management
The good news is that while you can’t change your Labrador’s genetics, you can tip the odds heavily in their favor by focusing on the areas you can control:
- Less calories = more years. Keep your Labrador slim throughout their life.
- Provide daily exercise and mental stimulation.
- Ensure regular veterinary care and timely vaccinations.
- Socialize puppies thoroughly so they grow into confident, well-adjusted adults.
Every choice you make adds up. While we can’t guarantee our Labradors 19 years, we can give them the best chance of a long, comfortable, and happy life.
And if you’d like reassurance, take a moment to scroll through the stories owners have shared below. Some are heartbreaking, many are inspiring — all of them remind us how deeply these dogs are loved.
References
- Creevy KE et al. (2022) An open science study of ageing in companion dogs. PMC article
- Herzig S et al. (2025) A biological age based on common clinical markers. Springer
- O’Neill DG et al. (2023) Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death. Scientific Reports. Nature
- Korec E et al. (2025) Identification of genes associated with longevity in dogs. ScienceDirect
- Guelfi G et al. (2024) Dog Aging: A Comprehensive Review of Molecular Aging. PMC article
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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.