Goldendoodle Lifespan – How Long Do Goldendoodles Live?

The Goldendoodle (AKA Groodle) is a cross breed between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. As it is a cross breed dog there can be a bit of variation in lifespan depending on the size, generation, gender as well as genetics of the puppies.

If you want to know more about the lifespans of Goldendoodles, keep reading this article to find exactly how long Goldendoodles are expected to live for

Table of Contents

How Long Do Goldendoodles Live?

The average Goldendoodle lives for 10 to 15 years. There are many factors that affect the lifespan of a Goldendoodle including size, gender, generation and whether they are desexed or intact. These variables mean they can have shorter or longer lifespans than the average. You can give your Goldendoodle the best chance of living a long life by exercising them daily, feeding them a healthy diet and keeping on top of vet appointments.

goldendoodle lying upside down — Goldendoodle via @goldendoodle_kakuo

Factors That Affect Goldendoodle Lifespan

There are many factors that can affect the lifespan of a Goldendoodle. This includes but is not limited to:

Size (Micro, Teacup, Toy, Miniature, Medium or Standard)
Generation (F1, F1b,F2 etc.)
Gender (Male vs Female)
Desexed vs Intact

How Size Affects Goldendoodle Lifespan

The size of a Goldendoodle greatly impacts upon their lifespan. Micro and Teacup Goldendoodles have the shortest lifespan as they often suffer from size related health issues. Toy or Petite Goldendoodles can also suffer from size related health issues. Generally, Mini, Medium and Standard Goldendoodles live the longest.

Size	Price
Micro Goldendoodle	7 to 10 years
Teacup Goldendoodle	7 to 10 years
Petite Goldendoodle	10 to 14 years
Mini Goldendoodle	12 to 16 years
Medium Goldendoodle	12 to 15 years
Standard Goldendoodle	10 to 15 years

Micro Goldendoodle Lifespan

Micro Goldendoodles have a lifespan of 7 to 10 years. Micro Goldendoodles are either the same size or slightly smaller than Teacup Goldendoodles so they have the same life expectancy. Micro Goldendoodles typically have a shorter lifespan than all other Goldendoodle sizes as they suffer from many size related health issues.

Teacup Goldendoodle Lifespan

Teacup Goldendoodles have a lifespan of 7 to 10 years. While smaller dogs generally live longer than large breeds, this does not apply to Teacup breeds. Teacup Goldendoodles typically have a shorter lifespan than all other Goldendoodle sizes as they unfortunately suffer from many health issues that correlate to their tiny size.

Petite Goldendoodle Lifespan (AKA Toy Goldendoodles)

On average, Petite Goldendoodles have a lifespan of 10 to 14 years. Their lifespan can greatly vary depending upon genetics, health conditions, lifestyle, diet etc. As they are slightly larger than Teacup Goldendoodles they don’t suffer from as many size related health issues but they still can suffer from them which is why their lifespan is shorter than larger Goldendoodle sizes.

Mini Goldendoodle Lifespan

Mini Goldendoodles have a lifespan of 12 to 16 years. They have one of the longest lifespans of all Goldendoodle sizes as they are a small breed yet not so small that they suffer from size related health issues like Teacup Goldendoodles.

Medium Goldendoodle Lifespan

Medium Goldendoodles live for 12 to 15 years. They have a similar lifespan to Mini Goldendoodles as they are only slightly larger than them. Their lifespan can greatly vary depending upon health conditions, lifestyle, genetics and diet etc.

Standard Goldendoodle Lifespan

Standard Goldendoodles live for 10 to 15 years on average. They have a similar life expectancy to Miniature and Medium Goldendoodles. Generally, the larger sizes of Goldendoodles live longer than the very small sizes as they don’t suffer from size-related health issues.

goldendoodle puppy — Goldendoodle via @goldendoodle_new

How Generation Affects Goldendoodle Lifespan

Generation	Lifespan
F1 Goldendoodle	10 to 15 years
F1b Goldendoodle	10 to 15 years
F1bb Goldendoodle	10 to 15 years
F2 Goldendoodle	10 to 14 years

F1 Goldendoodle Lifespan

On average, F1 Goldendoodles live for 10 to 15 years however this depends on the size of the breed. Generally, the F1 generation is the healthiest as it is the first cross – the result of breeding a purebred Golden Retriever with a Poodle.

F1b Goldendoodle Lifespan

F1b Goldendoodles have a lifespan of 12 to 15 years. F1b Goldendoodles have a higher percentage of Poodle genes compared to F1 Goldendoodles. They are 25% Golden Retriever and 75% Poodle. As Poodles generally live longer than Golden Retrievers, F1b Goldendoodles may live longer than F1 Goldendoodles. They are more likely to live to the higher end of their lifespan range.

F1bb Goldendoodle Lifespan

F1bb Goldendoodles have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years. F1bb Goldendoodles have an even higher percentage of Poodle genes than F1b Goldendoodles. They are 12.5% Golden Retriever and 87.5% Poodle. As Poodles have a longer lifespan than Golden Retrievers, this may indicate that F1bb Goldendoodles will live longer.

F2 Goldendoodle Lifespan

On average, F2 Goldendoodles live for 10 to 14 years however it can be less if they are one of the smaller sizes of the breed (e.g. Teacup). F2 Goldendoodles may have a slightly shorter lifespan than an F1 Goldendoodles as with each successive generation the health benefits of cross-breeding decreases. That being said, the differences in lifespan between generations is pretty negligible.

goldendoodle at a lake — Goldendoodle via @zoey.doodlebear

Female vs Male Goldendoodle Lifespan

Female Goldendoodles usually have a slightly longer lifespan than Male Goldendoodles. This is especially the case for desexed female Goldendoodles. Gender does not usually have a major effect on lifespan. Differences in longevity is mainly seen in desexed versus intact dogs.

Desexed vs Intact Goldendoodle Lifespan

Desexed (AKA neutered or spayed) Goldendoodles live slightly longer than intact Goldendoodles. It is thought that desexed Goldendoodles live longer as the procedure can reduce the risk of health issues like obesity and cancer in both male and female dogs. It is also thought that desexed dogs live longer because they get into fewer fights and therefore get fewer injuries.

Goldendoodle Life Stages

Socialization Period (until 3 months old)

The socialization period is one of the most crucial times in a Goldendoodle’s life. The first eights weeks is spent with their mother and littermates. During this time they learn so much about their world. Breeders will begin introducing new experiences to the puppies in the litter and then at eights weeks the puppies will go to their new homes where their owners will continue the socialization process.

Testing Period (3 to 6 months old)

The testing period is when a Goldendoodle starts testing boundaries to figure out what is acceptable behavior and what is not. It is best to start training your Goldendoodle during this time.

When training your dog it is important to use positive reinforcement techniques as dogs repeat good behavior when it is followed by a reward such as a treat or their favorite toy. Clicker training is another type of positive reinforcement training that is a good method for learning new tricks. You use a clicker device so your dog can associate a new behavior with a click and then a reward.

Adolescent Stage (6 to 18 months old)

During the adolescent stage, Goldendoodles may start displaying some regressive behavior like not listening to your training commands, being a bit aggressive or chewing up stuff. This is especially the case if your Goldendoodle is not desexed as their hormones will start to kick in. Just remember that this won’t last long and be patient as your Goldendoodle is a teenager.

During this period, your Goldendoodle will reach their full adult size, they’ll get their adult coat and you’ll have to eventually swap over to adult food.

Adulthood (18 months to 10 years old)

Goldendoodles will start to calm down and settle into their adult personality during adulthood however they will still be very active as this is a feature of the breed. You’ll start to notice that all your earlier training has paid off but you should still keep it up as Goldendoodles love learning new tricks and it’s great mental stimulation.

Senior (10+ years old)

From 10 years of age, a Goldendoodle is considered to be a senior dog. During this time they will start to slow down due to age. For example, your Goldendoodle may prefer going for a walk instead of a run at the dog park. As they are rapidly ageing, your Goldendoodle will need to get extra nutrients to support their system. For that reason, you may decide to switch out their adult kibble for a senior formula. They may also start suffering from health issues like arthritis so you may consider getting your Goldendoodle a dog ramp to help them get in and out of the car and also onto furniture.

Teacup Australian Shepherd Guide: Size, Price & More!

Extending The Lifespan Of A Goldendoodle

1. Feed Them A Healthy Diet That Is Age Appropriate

Aim to feed your Goldendoodle a premium diet to ensure they get all their nutrients as health is essential to a longer lifespan. Cheaper dog food usually contains very low quality meat as well as fillers which is unhealthy.

You should also aim to feed your Goldendoodle food that is suitable for their life stage, depending on whether they are a puppy, adult or senior dog. Kibble formulas are customised for different dog ages as producers adjust the nutrients and supplements for each life stage. For example, senior formulas have nutrients that support bones and joints.

Try to keep snacking to a minimum. While your dog may love their treats, don’t go overboard with rewarding them with treats, especially if your Goldendoodle is starting to get overweight. Consider swapping out treats for their toys as a reward for training exercises. You can also cut your dog treats into smaller pieces than what is provided in the packet so they last longer.

2. Take Them Out For Daily Exercise

Goldendoodles need plenty of daily exercise – both physical and mental. Take your Goldendoodles out for daily walks and let them run around at the dog park or in your backyard so they use up all their energy.

As for mental exercise, you should keep training your Goldendoodle into adulthood and also play some brain training games like an interactive treat puzzle or give them a classic Kong Toy that is filled with treats.

3. Keep Up Grooming

Grooming your Goldendoodle is vital to keep them hygienic and healthy. The grooming routine for your Goldendoodle should include steps for their coat, ears and teeth.

Regularly brush your Goldendoodle as they have a thick coat which can easily get tangled and matted. If untreated, tangled and matted hair can lead to skin infections or irritations. Brushing your Goldendoodle is also a good chance to check their skin for any injuries, fleas or ticks. Slicker brushes are generally the best for Goldendoodles.

Goldendoodles have floppy ears so they are prone to getting ear infections. If your Goldendoodle gets wet, make sure to dry their ears well to prevent them from getting infected.

4. Keep On Top Of Vet Appointments

Take your Goldendoodle to regular vet check-ups to make sure everything is going well and so you can treat any health issues quickly as early identification can help increase a Goldendoodle’s lifespan.

Additionally, make sure you keep on top of yearly vaccinations as well as flea, tick and worm treatments.

5. Make Your Home Fit For An Older Goldendoodle

As your Goldendoodle gets older, there is an increased risk of arthritis and joint issues which can make mobility more difficult. For these reasons you may need to modify your home to accomodate for your senior dog.

If your Goldendoodle finds it difficult to lower their neck to eat food or drink water you may want to invest in raised dog bowls to make feeding easier. If it is becoming difficult for them to jump up onto your bed or couch you may want to get a dog ramp. You may also decide to invest in an orthopedic bed if your Goldendoodle has joint issues to ease the pain.