{"id":11677,"date":"2022-10-09T13:23:40","date_gmt":"2022-10-09T12:23:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/?p=11677"},"modified":"2025-09-16T17:58:28","modified_gmt":"2025-09-16T16:58:28","slug":"how-long-do-labs-live","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/how-long-do-labs-live\/","title":{"rendered":"How Long Do Labs Live: Life Expectancy of America\u2019s Favorite Dog Breed"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Labradors are loyal, playful, and loving animals, which makes them a perfect match for any family.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">how long do labs live<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">? Many factors come into play in a labrador\u2019s life expectancy, but their average lifespan is 10\u201312 years.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='how-long-do-labs-live'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How Long Do Labs Live<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Labrador retrievers are one of the most <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/most-popular-dog-breeds\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">popular dog breeds<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Besides being <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">friendly<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">loyal<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, this breed has a mild temperament\u2014making it a perfect match for any family.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">average life expectancy for labs<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is usually 10\u201312 years, around the same age as any other large dog <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">breed<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. However, you may find that your labrador retriever lives longer than what the average life expectancy is. Similarly, diseases and health issues can cut the dogs\u2019 lives shorter.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The truth is that many things influence a pup\u2019s life expectancy, like health, diet, and even genetics. For instance, overweight labs will likely have a shorter life compared to dogs with a more balanced diet.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You should always ask for veterinary records and ensure the dog was bred responsibly when buying a labrador puppy from a breeder.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-11678\" src=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/ben-owen-FFwNGYZK-2o-unsplash.jpg\" alt=\"How Long Do Labs Live\" width=\"494\" height=\"494\" srcset=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/ben-owen-FFwNGYZK-2o-unsplash.jpg 640w, https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/ben-owen-FFwNGYZK-2o-unsplash-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/ben-owen-FFwNGYZK-2o-unsplash-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/ben-owen-FFwNGYZK-2o-unsplash-80x80.jpg 80w, https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/ben-owen-FFwNGYZK-2o-unsplash-380x380.jpg 380w, https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/ben-owen-FFwNGYZK-2o-unsplash-140x140.jpg 140w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 494px) 100vw, 494px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 id='which-types-of-labs-live-the-longest'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Which Types of Labs Live the Longest<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You might think that a lab\u2019s coat is just a matter of a visual appearance, but it can give you an insight into the pup\u2019s dominant and recessive <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">genes<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014therefore revealing some health tendencies.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How long do chocolate labs live<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">? These pups tend to have the lowest life expectancy out of all lab types, and it is all due to their limited gene pool. Chocolate-colored fur is a recessive gene, which means that for a breeder to make more chocolate labs, the young ones need two copies of that trait.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because of this, chocolate labradors are more likely to develop an inflammation of the ear canal, also known as otitis externa. A <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">brown lab<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is also more prone to contracting skin diseases, such as hot spots, which can seriously affect the dog\u2019s overall health and lifespan.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Statistics show that the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">life expectancy of a yellow <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">or <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">black lab<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is 10% longer than that of a chocolate labrador.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Related article:<\/b> <a href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/how-long-do-huskies-live\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How Long Do Huskies Live<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">?<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id='health-issues-that-affect-the-average-labrador-retriever-lifespan'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Health Issues That Affect the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Average Labrador Retriever Lifespan<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every breed has specific conditions that might affect them more than other dog types, so it\u2019s always wise to read into them for prevention and thus give your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">labrador retriever <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a longer <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lifespan<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Joint and Hip Issues<\/b><b>\u2014<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hip dysplasia has a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6138064\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">31% prevalence<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the labrador population, and it\u2019s an excruciating degenerative joint disease that mainly affects labs with weight problems.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Diabetes<\/b><b>\u2014<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An unhealthy diet, obesity, inflammation, and genetics can all lead to a disturbance of insulin and glucose balance. Although there are very few cases where diabetic labs have inherited the disease, it can happen.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Cancer<\/b><b>\u2014<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lymphoma is the most common type of cancer among labradors. Luckily, it can be identified easily, and the treatment is also highly successful, thanks to chemotherapy.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Bloating and\/or Flipped Stomach<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014Labradors are known for overeating. This can cause air to get trapped in your puppy&#8217;s stomach, which then bloats and twists. If this happens, your dog needs to be immediately operated on; otherwise, it can be fatal.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To summarize, obesity is the number one cause of health issues for labrador puppies. Overeating can lead to diabetes, bloating, and flipped stomachs, all of which are incredibly pain-inducing for your dog\u2014so, keep an eye on those dieatal habits and your dog should be safe.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=''><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-11679\" src=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/einar-jonsson-dXR6yl87xVI-unsplash.jpg\" alt=\"How Long Do Labs Live\" width=\"492\" height=\"328\" srcset=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/einar-jonsson-dXR6yl87xVI-unsplash.jpg 640w, https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/einar-jonsson-dXR6yl87xVI-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/einar-jonsson-dXR6yl87xVI-unsplash-380x254.jpg 380w, https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/einar-jonsson-dXR6yl87xVI-unsplash-140x93.jpg 140w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 492px) 100vw, 492px\" \/><\/h2>\n<h2 id='how-to-prolong-lab-life-expectancy'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How To Prolong <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lab Life Expectancy<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We understand that you might be worried that you might lose your furry friend too early. However, there are some steps you can take to prolong your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">labrador<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8216;s<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> life span<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> we\u2019re here to show you how to do it.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Choose a reputable breeder<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014A good breeder will give you information on the pup\u2019s <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">genetic information<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the potential <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">inherited diseases<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, such as eye problems, heart defects, myopathy, and Cushing\u2019s disease.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Spay or neuter your dog<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Did you know <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/how-long-do-dogs-live\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">neutering your dog increases its lifespan by one or two years<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">?<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> It can also help prevent certain types of cancers and diminish the possibility of pregnancy which causes stress and inflammation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Maintain a healthy diet<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014Consult your local vet to give your lab a proper age-appropriate and nutritional diet. Labs don\u2019t need much food, so it\u2019s best to feed them once a day. Check out <a title=\"https:\/\/dogacademy.org\/reviews\/dog-food\/best-dog-food-for-labs\" contenteditable=\"false\" href=\"https:\/\/dogacademy.org\/reviews\/dog-food\/best-dog-food-for-labs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">this guide<\/a> on how to choose the best dog food for labs to get started.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Exercise<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014If you want to help your overweight dog become healthy again, you must create an excercising regimen for them. However, don\u2019t overdo it since it can lead to additional joint strain.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Add <\/b><b>supplements<\/b> <b>to your dog\u2019s diet<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014Supplements can be handy in preventing simple health maladies and keeping your dog healthy for a long time. This will ensure your lab gets all the nutritious value it needs.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There you have it! Now that you know how to give your lab proper<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">healthcare<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> you\u2019re all set to live out many years with your furry companion. Hey, maybe you\u2019ll even get to beat the 27-year record of Adjutant\u2014the<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">oldest labrador<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to have ever lived!<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='frequently-asked-questions'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>How long do lab mixes live?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lab mixes have a better life expectancy than that of a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pedigree<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> labrador. While the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">average age of labs<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is 10\u201312, labrador mixes usually live 12\u201314 years.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>What do labs usually die from?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Studies show that cancer and musculoskeletal disorders are the most common causes of death among labrador puppies. Meanwhile, the most common disorders affecting these pups are <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">obesity<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and ear and joint conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>How long do labs live with arthritis?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Labs with arthritis can have a long and healthy life, but only if they are adequately cared for. If your pup has this disease, you can help increase its <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">longevity<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by managing its <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">diet<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">body size<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, purchasing orthopedic beds, giving it proper exercise, or even opting for surgery.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>How long do labs live with cancer?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A lab\u2019s life expectancy depends on the type of cancer. While some cancers can be easily treated, others can cause unbearable pain, so you\u2019ll have no other choice but to euthanize your pup in order to spare it any further suffering.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='key-takeaways'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Key Takeaways<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">how long do labs live<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">? On average, they have about 10 to 12 years of life ahead, but this can vary depending on certain factors like diet, genetics, and health. You can also prolong your lab\u2019s life by adding supplements to their food, training them often, and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">neutering<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Labradors are loyal, playful, and loving animals, which makes them a perfect match for any family. But how long do labs live? Many factors come into play in a labrador\u2019s life expectancy, but their average lifespan is 10\u201312 years. How Long Do Labs Live Labrador retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds. Besides [&#8230;]<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"btn btn-secondary understrap-read-more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/how-long-do-labs-live\/\">Read More&#8230;<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> from How Long Do Labs Live: Life Expectancy of America\u2019s Favorite Dog Breed<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":42,"featured_media":11680,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11677","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-guides"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11677","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/42"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11677"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11677\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14108,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11677\/revisions\/14108"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11680"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11677"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11677"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11677"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}