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It’s tough to gauge exactly how long your Labrador might live as there are so many factors, both genetic and environmental, that contribute to their life expectancy.
The average Labrador lifespan is somewhere between 10 and 14 years, provided they aren’t beset by any exceptional health issues or injuries.
But what factors go into determining how long Labradors live? Can you have an effect on this?
QUICK RECOMMENDATION: We’ve read many books and magazines about Labrador Retrievers. One of our favorites, Your Labrador Retriever Puppy is a great resource for all Lab owners.
Labrador Genes Automatically Limit Their Lifespan
10 to 14 years old may not sound particularly old, especially for a fit and healthy dog, but there are a couple of factors that will automatically limit a Lab’s lifespan to some extent.
The general rule of thumb is that smaller dogs live longer than their larger counterparts. Additionally, mongrels live longer than pedigrees – by an average of 1.2 extra years.
So, as a pedigree and a medium to large sized dog, your Lab’s lifespan is automatically shorter than that of a smaller mongrel, for instance.
The exact science behind the lifespan trends in dogs isn’t yet fully understood, although it’s thought that the size and conformity of the body is a significant factor.
While Labs are indeed on the larger side which can limit their lifespan, they are otherwise blessed with an otherwise well-conforming body – in proportion, athletic and no mitigating features like a short face, small skull or excess skin, that can cause health problems in later life.
Are Labs Vulnerable to any Genetic Disorders?
One of the major drawbacks of pedigree dogs is the fact they are more susceptible to genetically inherited diseases that can, of course, limit lifespan.
There are many of these inherited diseases associated with Labs, most notably hip and elbow dysplasia, epilepsy and many eye and sight problems.
These disorders can be avoided as far as possible if you make sure only to buy puppies from responsible, licensed breeders who have had the sire and dam genetically tested prior to breeding and found to not be carrying these ‘problem genes.’
A Healthy Lifestyle Equals a Longer Life
Of course, genetic factors are only one side of the story when it comes to the longevity of your Lab. Just as important, if not more, is ensuring they live in a happy and healthy environment that is set up for a long life.
Firstly, a nutritionally balanced diet and plenty of exercise will set a great baseline for your Lab’s health.
Ensure you buy high-quality dog food and use treats sparingly as part of your training routine – it’s incredibly easy to enable your dog accidentally to gain weight with a few too many treats or indulgences in human food.
Obesity in Labs can lead to a slew of other health problems – particularly diseases affecting their heart, kidneys, and liver – which will apparently serve to limit their lifespan.
Make sure you keep an eye on your Lab’s weight to check for consistency and remember that treats are most effective when doled out in small quantities.
QUICK RECOMMENDATION: We like to use a mix of dog foods when feeding our Labs, but our #1 recommendation is Wellness Core Grain Free Dog Food.
This video contains plenty of tips and advice on weight loss in dogs, including the more important method of measuring your dogs weight by feel and sight, not just by scales:
If you’re worried about the amount of food your dog is consuming, or wish to monitor their nutrition, it may be worth considering investing in an automatic food dispenser.
These dispense small amounts of food at regular intervals throughout the day, preventing your Lab from gorging themselves in a solo sitting.
These machines are particularly helpful if you work and are unable to spend time with your dog during the day.
Hand in hand with your dog’s nutrition is exercise. Labs are renowned for needing plenty of exercise every day to manage both their weight and playful temperaments.
Regular exercise will also stave off conditions like stress and canine depression in your Lab, which could otherwise limit your dog’s longevity.
QUICK RECOMMENDATION: One of our favorite treats are the Wellness Soft Puppy Bites. We cut them up into even smaller bite sized pieces as rewards/treats for our Lab puppies.
Neutering and Spaying Can Increase Lifespan
Neutering or spaying your Lab could also help them live a longer life.
Neutering (removing a male’s testicles) and spaying (removing a female’s uterus and ovaries) eliminates the risk of testicular and uterine tumors and cancers while also reducing the risk of other diseases like hernias, breast cancer, and various infections.
Spaying your female Lab will also stop her going into heat and conceiving a litter – both stressful periods for your dog that may cause other life-limiting health problems.
A neutered male is also less likely to wander away from home in search of a mate, so risks of injuries from traffic accidents or fights with other dogs are greatly reduced.
Who is the Oldest Known Lab?
The oldest known Labrador was Adjutant, who was born in August 1936 and died in November 1963 aged 27 years and three months.
He lived in Lincolnshire in the UK and were also the 7th oldest known dog in history, regardless of breed.
How Long Will My Lab Live?
I’ve been around Labs all my life and both purebred and mixed breed.
Maffy – He came from the shelter and was listed as a Lab mix. They said he was about 2 years old and we had him for 17 years making him about 19 years old when he passed.
Linus – We got Linus from the shelter at about 2 months old. He was also a Lab mix and lived until he was about 13 1/2 years old.
Stetson – He was a career change guide dog and just recently passed at 12 1/2 years old.
We’ve been raising Guide Dog puppies for over 13 years now and the majority of our Labs have passed in the 10-14 year range. Unfortunately, we’ve seen more pass at a younger age vs older.
Jeanie was only 6 when she passed and Trooper had cancer and passed before his first birthday :(
So How Long Do Labradors Live?
The average age is 10 to 14 years, with ancestry and genetics, to the lifestyle choices you make for them having a major effect.
The thing with averages though is they are just that, an average. Many will sadly not live so long, others will live far longer.
With a lot of luck. any Labrador of yours will have a lifespan well in their late teens. It certainly can and does happen.
Have you had Labradors all your life like me?
How long did your Lab live?
Tell us about your experiences in the comment section below.
Are you still yearning for more information about Labrador Retrievers? One of our favorite books is Your Labrador Retriever Puppy . It has tons of information about our favorite breed.
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Top Picks For Our Dogs
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116 comments
I’m hearing mixed signals and the siting of too many different articles on the affect of neutering and lifespan for male labs. Some studies state that neutering decreases prostate cancer but increases the risk for leukemia and lymphoma. Another study indicated NOT neutering increases lifespan. Our family had 2 labs, neither neutered and both lived to be 11. Very torn.
Logan black lab dad and yellow lab mom still alive 13 1/2
Over the years I have had 8 labs. My first lab was not desexed and he lived to over 16. All my others have been desexed and they have lived from 12 to 16. I feel I have been very lucky.
Lincoln half lab half pit 16yrs going down this Thursday awesome dog very protective will be loved and missed
Shadow,an AKC female Lab ,amazing girl lived 14 years .She was a clown,faithful duck hunting buddy and the love of our lives
I have a black Labrador retriever female called poppy.she is at present 13 yrs 5 months.she is still going strong and has never had any illnesses in her life.feel very lucky.
Our first yellow Lab, Sammy, lived to be 17. Our
Present yellow lab, Moses, is 12, and has recently
Shown signs of weight loss, cognitive decline,
And more inactivity. Waiting on the results of
An ultrasound. He has recently lost much of
His desire to eat and has become very picky in
What he eats. Vet prescribed an appetite stimulant and that has helped. He has also
Been sleeping much more. Still goes on a 30
Minute walk and also patrols our two acres.
It is very sad to see our best friends slowly
Decline.
My black lab Sammy just passed, he was 13 years old. He had a tumor on his spleen which was diagnosed 6 months before we had him put to sleep. I made him a promise at that time that I would not be selfish and make him suffer so that when he stopped eating and drinking and had trouble standing I knew it was time. I’ve had many dogs but he was the very best, actually he was almost perfect. RIP Sammy I hope to see you at heaven’s gate, until then my heart will remain broken.
hi there i’m thinking off getting a Labrador iv always wanted one what colour is the best to live longer do you think and what do you feed yours i want to have a Labrador that lives long thanks x
I have had many faithful and wonderful labs in my 58 years on this Earth. For a few decades I was lucky enough to breed and raise labs that would go into service work , either as service dogs for vets w/TBI or into search & rescue, depending on where their natural talents & abilities lay (& some were suited for neither, but went into other jobs). I would have to say that the article was spot on, and that most of my labs that led more sedentary lives tended to live in the 10-12 year range, those who were more active lived a few years longer. One thing that was not mentioned was the importance of your dogs mental & emotional health & wellbeing.
Dogs are inherently social animals (just as humans are), they thrive on the loving bond with their family (&including other dogs and animals), and even more so if they have a working purpose in that family (remember the dog’s pack & social structure parallels that that that of human’s in many ways).
If your great Lab is left home alone and bored all day, or is a “yard dog”, who’s only contact with the family is for a few minutes when someone goes out to throw a ball, or take them out for a 30 minute walk – if they don’t have the close social and emotional connections with people or other dogs or animals they need, if they don’t feel as if they have a purpose – just as seniors who are isolated and alone often die premature deaths, you can’t expect a long life from a depressed and isolated dog.
A dog that does have those connections, that is part of your family, that goes everywhere and does everything with you, who is inside with you, who feels like they have a purpose in your family, service dogs & working dogs – I have seen those dogs battle through and recover from extreme health conditions, from trauma that you were sure would kill them – and in my opinion it was because they felt they could not abandon the family or the owner they loved.
I recently had to release my Service Dog Sonora, the last of the line of Service dogs which I personally bred & helped his mother whelp and the only one I brought from CA to TX when I moved. He was 13 1/2, and after the move the only time he was ever separated from me was when I was in ICU. I was fortunate that almost 4 years ago that Shadow, a beautiful black lab pup, came into our lives so she could learn her job from him.
The point of my long comment is that yes- your dog needs to be active and healthy physically, but as – or in my opinion, perhaps more important – is that they need to feel connected socially and emotionally to thrive, to have a purpose and to live their longest, and best life – as do we all.
Very wise words!
My old girl who we lost in 2018 was a Labrador x Border Collie, she was 19yrs 8mths young when she passed away at home.
My chocolate lab Mocha is 15.5 years old. She’s been the rock in my life as we’ve explored woods and streams throughout the state. This is the first year we haven’t hunted grouse or pheasants as her wagglers syndrome has become painful. She’s lumpy, deaf, and gray now and cognitive decline has started. She’s been the best, sweetest dog and I can’t imagine life without her. She’s getting near the end and I won’t let her suffer.
I just put my sweet Emma to rest at the age of 19yrs and 10mos. English black lab
RIP love bug
Summer my black lab my baby will be 18 this summer. She gets around a little slower, but continues to be so happy. She loves to eat what we eat and very little dog food. Never been sick her whole life. She has brought so much love to our family she is the same as my kid. We love her so!!!!!
hi donna i have to say ur blessed with a great breed, I just lost my female lab precious lady she was 17years and 3 month of internal illness out of the blue. I never took her to the vet none of my dogs ,didn’t vaccinate her and she surpass her normal lab years I guess she was loved so much which I believe is stronger than medicine and only after 16yrs I started noticing less play time attitude that’s when I knew something other than her age was catching up to her she was diagnosed with breast cancer so I let her live the rest of her life the way she would have liked also I did mate her which was a mistake I would have had one of her offsprings. her living conditions were no leash or collar she did have a name tag in my wallet ….lol and a large home with lots of land and deer which she liked to chase and then run away when they retaliated. so keep up the great work with lots of loving care stay safe god bless.
Like you Angel. I don’t not take my dogs to the vet unless needed. No vaccines ever. Right now Gunner is 14 and Jack is 17. Gunner stills runs and acts like a puppy Jack is starting to slow down. We love them immensely.
My chocolate female lab lived lived to be 16, spaded after 1 litter. Her daughter a black lab is now 14. Neither one had had issues. Great dogs
I have 2 labs, both not neutered. Father and Son. Father is 14.5 and only issue so far, needs help to stand up, because of his hinds. But he walks, eats his LID grain free and apples, and looks at nice female doggies, all of which he celebrates equally, and the 8 yr old, who still looks and acts like 2! Declining 14.5 likes more of a laid back lifestyle now, while 8 yr old wants to fetch, run, and anything else you want to play or cuddle with him! :)
I have a old yellow male that is still in good shape almost 15. He has always eaten Pro Plan Lamb and Rice since 7 weeks old. Couldn’t prescribe a better food. Also milk bones and ice cream nightly. Has had a great life seeing most of the country. Never been neutered and has never complained!
hi dose he have any think Elec i just want to know a list of foods that i can give my puppy Labrador when i get him x
My labra name piku he died in 6years age due to liver problems
I am firm about this. each part of our bodies plays a role in our overall well been. I don’t understand how on earth removing a part will have positive effect on us. that applies to dogs as well. testicle produce testosterone hormone that we might not like some of its effect “aggression or desire to mate”. but it also plays a big role in bone density health and other great benefit on overweight issue and lean muscles. I will not neuter my dog because of a propaganda to keep those animal quiet to our liking and I disagree with what s written in this article as it is not proven true and I challenge them to present any paper that support it. I am pretty sure dogs takes a lot of our personality especially with proper training. this rule never failed me I have and had a lot of dogs in my life never had an issue that we consider unacceptable they have their own personality. as far as food my dogs ate and still eat whatever on my table no special diet and all of them lived beyond 18 yrs of age(had 3 labs, 2 german shepherd,11 huskies). dogs evolved long time ago where their stomach can process our food. whatever kills you will kill your dog think about it this way .
I babysit a black lab that’s 80 lb and is 14 1/2 years old. His owner, a good friend of mine, has spent a lot of time and effort on alternative methods and they sure seem to have worked.. he gets vitamin E and fish oil, Tramadol and Gabapentin. He takes glucosamine and chondroitin. Every other week he receives acupuncture and moist heat therapy. and has his spine adjusted followed by moist heat therapy. The last three months he started giving him CBD oil. I was very skeptical about this, but it sure seems to have work. He eats an expensive specially formulated kibble blend. But the most important thing he gets his lots of love and affection.
We have a yellow lab who just celebrated her 15th birthday. She is happy, healthy and spry. She gets 3/4 cup of dry food twice a day, which I get at the pet store. It’s just regular dry food for seniors. Her treats are carrots, apples, etc. We do not feed her table scarps but she has been known to steal boxes of chocolate candy, Christmas bread, platters of cheese etc. Basically she has an iron stomach.
However, we keep her weight down to a trim 65-70 lbs. She doesn’t have any cataracts, maybe it’s due to all those carrots she has been eating since she was a puppy.
At this rate, we are hoping she lives for another 15 years.
I hope your girl lives another 15 years too. I’m glad to hear she’s doing so well. Thanks for sharing!
Casper, our yellow lab will be 16 in march 2021, has three short walks a day and has two small meals(wet and dry mixed) each day,,
He’s slowed down and slightly unsteady on his legs but still looks forward to his short walks but now it’s us taking him not him taking us,
Is and has been a great part of our family.
Our Black Labrador Retriever passed away about a month ago. A few months before he passed we found out he had cancer. He was 12 1/2 years old when we said goodbye. We miss him dearly.
I just lost my Chocolate lab DC He was 12 and a Half On July 1st II had to put him down ‘m in so much pain right now he was my 1st dog
I’m sorry to hear about your Chocolate Lab. It’s so tough to say goodbye. I’ll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
hi colby I had a yellow lab name precious lady she was 17yrs3mons old I had to put her to sleep on jan 29 202l due to cancer which was diagnosed back in mid-2020 so I do know what ur going through these long term breeds become one of the family …..again sorry for ur loss take care
Thank you for your condolences. I’m sorry to hear of your Labs passing. May she rest in peace.
my lab is almost 16.. he just has some walking problems but seems fine otherwise
That’s great! I’m glad your lab is doing well. Is there anything you would recommend doing that you think has helped your Lab live a long, healthy, and happy life?
I don’t know if this is the reason but we feed him the Costco kirkland brand dog food (now we sometimes buy grain free).. we used to feed him once a day for years but started to feed him 2x a day, small portions. also, I throw a raw egg in his food sometimes.
I think something that has helped him more tho is movement.. he would go on lots of 3 mile runs/ walks often when he was younger.. now I just make sure to at least walk him around the block each night to help his joints and circulation. Studies show that just a brisk walk improves cognition, I assume its the same for dogs.
Thanks for sharing. We try to make sure and get our dog’s exercise every day too. We used to do three 30-60 minute walks everyday when our Lab, Stetson was younger. The walks go shorter and less brisk as he got older. He mostly enjoyed getting out and smelling the flowers.
Our chocolate lab, Moose is 12.5 years old. We feed him organic or his tummy gets upset. He gets no table scraps and very few treats. 2 years ago he quit crossing the street with out my dragging him so just around the block a couple of times but he loves it :) I’d love to see him live much much longer. I’ll never be ready to say goodbye to this smart, mischievous love bug :)
I love my older dogs. Moose sounds wonderful. I hope you have many more years with him. All the best.
I have to agree with Ruth. who recommended on the Costco Signature Brand. I fed my Pure Breed Cooper the Salmon and Sweet Potato variety and my dog seemed to do well. For his first 5 years the AKC breeder recommended Purina Pro Plan (the variety he was fed when he was born). I am sure the Costco Brand was really a helper towards his health. Purina maybe not so much as it had too many by products and grains.
I just had to put my Cooper Dog down on 08SEP20 and it was a difficult decision. Cooper was 12 years and 3 months old. I would only suggest to all the other owners of labrador retreivers, that they keep the weight managable to about 65-75 lbs for a Male and 55-60 for the Females. The weight on their hind quarters causes disc herniation, especially as the dog becomes senior.
I was surprised to find that a Vet who saw my Cooper from 2 months till last year, never commented that he was over weight at 90lbs. I believe that single factor, of not informing me that he was being fed too much, was an oversight by a well respected vet in Chicagoland. This vet, passed due to Covid in early April.
I was somewhat reprimanded by SPAY Illinois, who is a non profit spay neuter vaccination facility, who told me my Lab was 20 lbs overweight. That information was a little late in the game as my pooch was already 11.5 yrs old at that point. They were Stern about weight control and proper diet.
Thanks to all of you who have commented and I somehow am seeking an answer that comes a little too late for Cooper. Somehow we all seem to try to find what we did right and what we did not do to protect our beloved dogs.
Best to all of you who do and try so much for our family members.
William
My old girl is nearly 18. She struggles with her back legs a bit but is otherwise pretty healthy for her age, for at least the last 10-12 years she’s been fed on eukanuba restricted calorie food and I’ve never shied away from giving her our food scraps from dinner, I usually keep it to the meat and veg though rather than any processed food and it’s never done her any harm, her age is testament to that. Hopefully we’ll have her for some time yet.
That’s awesome! I’m glad you’re girl has been around for so long. Thank you for sharing your secrets to keeping your Lab young and healthy.
I am right there with you. My black lab mix has been as heavy as 114….he is approx. 11 years now and 96 lb. His old vet is dead but always said…he is just a large dog…new vet has not commented on it. As he recommended , I started him on cosequin DS…….. about 3 weeks in His stomach seems to be upset…only eating half his food and that is not him….taking him off the supplement. VET says liver..kidney..heart..all seem good. He is a little incontinent at times….I think he is having alittle doggy dementia. Kinda sad. Eats Fromm……might have to change that now.. praying to have him chasing his ball at least another summer. With his aging and mine and COVID-19 around every corner…….this is a stressful year. Best to all.
My beautiful Black Lab is 15 1/2 and just had a baseball size cancer tumor off her back leg. She flew through surgery and I got to watch. Vet sadly said 80% will put the animal down. She is happy and gets way more love now, don’t take that the wrong way, but I give her so much attention she is now a true narcissist and total boss demanding her way. We walk twice a day and she loves to hunt for small animals with her other friend, our mutt named Bella, and they do it together. No flea treatments and a large backyard. We use a flea comb. Thrilled to have my beautiful girl who will turn 16 next May!
Do you mind telling me about the tumor on her back leg. My 14 year old lab has one too, it’s hard like none. Doc ‘s thought it was osteosarcoma and gave her 1-3 months to live. It’s now been a year and a half. She’s doing good except for now she is coughing and gagging. Doc thinks it spread to lung but I wonder about other things.
I have a 14.5 year old spayed female..sweetest dog. She has a fatty lump on right side of back leg sort of in the doggy groin area. She gets around and is on galiprant and cosequin. I am surprised they did surgery on a 15.5 year old lay, so glad she is doing well. I wish I had it taken out earlier,,,I didn’t know it would grow. I am amazed she pulled through being put under,,,my dogs seem like a small baseball..
My Male black lab is almost 12, he is starting to slow down but still lives his walks, people are amazed when I tell them he is almost 12, I do give him cod liver oil and a tramadol every day, he has a mixture of wet and dry food, what ever he wants to be honest, if I put wet food down sometimes he turns around so i put dry food down and he will tuck in, he is spoilt rotten but i dont care :)
My red lab Sunny is 12 on December 31st. The vet said he is the healthiest lab she has ever seen at this age. He’s happy, smiles a lot, loves to go walks. But does not hike anymore, walk to the park and back does him. I feed him science diet, 1 cup am and pm.i give him glucosamine and chroniditom. Not much human food, unless he pinchrs it! I think the kids have kept him young. He does now sleep a lot and has many bumps and lumps all over him. No cancerous ones. He is due another check up. Just hope we have him for at least another couple of years. My other lab died at 12, due to lymphoma.
Emma, my little yellow Lab is nearly 14 ( 47 lbs) enjoys each day. She lives to explore the countryside and has eaten 3/4 cup am and pm dry kibble Diamond brand rice and lamb her entire life. We walk alot, she has slowed down the last 2 years, but still enjoys a mile 1/2 mile to 1 mile walk/jog a few times a week and active fetching each day. She has arthiritis in her back now so I limit her somewhat (she will go like lighting still especilly retreiving)
She is a very loyal one owner dog. I still call her my “tiny little baby girl” from time to time since I still remeber when she was just a little puppy. She had total knee surgery TPLO on her one knee when she was 9 months and has had no issues since.
All the best to all!
Thank you for sharing your story about Emma…that’s my daughter’s name :) We love our Labs and wish they could live forever.
This is Donna again letting you know about Summer and how she is doing. She is 19 1/2 years old black lab. Most days she likes to sleep, but she still loves to eat. She now has a accident in the house maybe once ever 3 months due to hard for her to get around like she used to. She still has spirit and loves us just like we love her. Then there are days you would think she was a pup. She has never been sick and always a great dog and a great friend. I will always love her in my heart forever and remember how great a person she made me!
My sweet yellow dog Lawson will be 16 on January 26, 2020
He has a little issue with his back legs, our vet has him on joint vitamins. Other than that he’s in great health. ❤️
Hi. I hv a chocolate lab tht is al.ost 12 we hv given him “hyaluronic acid” Overby Level 3 supplement and “Extend Pets” he hip hop orblns and for a while wouldn’t even get up and greet me when I would come in frm a trip and not seeing him for a wk or so. He would lay on his side. After we started him on the “Extend Pets” abt a wk and a half later he started getting up. Walking better. We then waited abt a month, and then gave it to him again. And in less than a week he is up, we play, and I know he is feeling better. He has been taking the “Overby Level 3” for 3 weeks now and is walking better. Today he was jumping around like a pup!
I wish you luck with your doggy. Elton clark
My 14 year old Riley who every now and again has unsteady back legs which only was noticed last summer our Vet prescribed 50 mg Deramaxx, it has worked wonders for her. When she hears something she still goes flying to the door to check it out. I have always kept her trim feeding only Blue Buffalo. She does have a mild case of Cushing Disease and pants quite a bit but doesn’t seem to bother her. She is my companion and hope she has many more years left.
Do you mind saying what type of vitamins? I tried cosequin DS but it upset my boys tummy.
I just had to put down my precious Black Lab/Golden mix, Brynn, last week. She was 11 years and 7 months old and was in severe kidney failure. Seemed to come on quickly. I had been treating her for hind leg lameness since Sept 8, and she was getting around better with Dasuquin, tramodol, and Rimady. I fed her a home-cooked diet the last year, different high quality kibble before that, and no chemicals on or near her, except for the recent pain meds. I was so upset that her kidneys failed but the vet said it was probably just genetics or age. She was the best dog and I miss her terribly.
My black lab is 17 years old has problems with his back legs but other than that he is very healthy. We only give him dog food and very seldom we give him table food . The only time I will give him steak is when it’s his birthday.
My first lab was a chocolate named Ben. Great dog and a typical male. He was an escape artist and I spent many hours roaming the block looking for him. Generally found in some neighbors garbage! Labs! He was a rescue at 10 mths and I had him for 12 years. The Program was the flea control of choice back then but he was terribly allergic to the Brewers Yeast in it. If I stayed away from anything with BY he was great. Never did anything special with him diet wise and he got lots of human food both intentionally and stolen lol.
I have a black purebred male and a yellow cross female now. He is 12 and she is 14. They have always gotten mid range food Kirkland, proform, mutt mix whatever is on sale. We have three big dogs and go through ALOT of food so there are no $80 bags in my house. I am a firm believer in making sure they have bones to chew regularly and get as much exercise as I can do. We live on a farm so they are out all day, walked morning and night. She has had heart murmurs since a puppy and I was told she would be lucky to make it to 9. She is in really good shape just starting to slow down. He has pretty bad elbow displaysia, had a large cancer lump removed last year and needs thyroid pills 2x day. He’s holding his own but aging fast. I know neither has a lot of time left but enjoy it while I can. They are my buds and will be sorely missed.
Daisy is a 13.5 year old pure chocolate lab, she struggles to get up sometimes but after she is up it’s like nothing will stop her. She joins me on 4K hill hikes at least 4-5 days a week. I have always feed her high quality grain free food, pumpkin pure. fish oil pills daily. I did just find a lump on her chest to get checked, hoping it’s just a fat lump.
I adopted my Senor Male Chocolate Daunte when he was already nine years old. He ran away from previous owner and then showed up on my front porch. I found owner using Craig’s list. The previous owner a young Fellow probably was not into an older Dog who sleeps a lot. I walk him daily a minimum two miles and feed him Kirkland Dog food and Dentix chews for the teeth. I get him professional baths twice a year. I now he has few years left to live so I spoil him as best I can. He spends most of the time indoors but has a good sized backyard to play in. Minimal human food but occasional cheese. Daunte is now 13 Years old and our four Year anniversary comes Sept 27.
Our Ginger girl was born in the spring of 2000, making her about 20. I used to follow the book as far as flea treatments and shots, but found she would get sick; her knees would bother her and she would get worms. About 10 years ago, I decided to let nature be in charge. We have a large wooded yard for her to roam in. She has recently gone to soft foods as her teeth are worn down. But she also helps herself to our compost, (so does the wildlife in the area, really funny seeing a fawn with an orange stuck to her nose in the winter), as we garden and eat many veggies and fruits. She gets table scraps, including lamb and bison bones, but no processed food. Now, even though she is lumpy and bumpy, and near the end of her life, she still has a smile on her white face.
We just put down my dad’s golden Lab today, his name was George. He was 24 years old. My dad passed in 2013, and we have had him since. My dad got him when my son was 3 years old, he is 27 now. George was a farm dog, and enjoyed everything. He used to run behind my dads truck & tractor, enjoy beef jerky & table left overs, and never tuned down a slice of bacon. He ate Pedigree & kibbles & bits for most of his life, but his favorite were always those table leftovers. I know that he saved me, my sons & my dad from a lot of rattlesnakes over these years. He had arthritis these last 5 years – and he was always a large dog (weighed 80 lbs) but was muscular, not fat. I think it doesn’t matter about the years, nor the precise diet, as long as they are happy and feel your love.
❤️ love your story. My choc lab has just turned 15 I thought that was good, 24 must be a world record
We have a nearly 14 yr old unspeyed pedigree choc lab. She still acts , looks and behaves like a puppy. She loves her food and fortunately hasn’t been troubled by many health conditions. She’s had the odd skin infection and also what the vet thinks is a slowly collapsing trachea. He doesn’t want to operate or do any invasive tests on her just inacase she doesn’t survive. This was diagnosed 2 years ago and apart from having the odd cough she seems fit and well and doesn’t take any medication.
We love her to bits and hope she’s in our life for a little longer yet.
Pet health and nutrition website has great natural products for laryngeal paralysis. They have helped my 14 year old boy a lot!
I currently have a lab named Katie that I got as a gift for my 15th birthday from my mother. I’m now 31. She was 5 weeks old exactly when i got her on August 5. A girl my mother knew said “I have something in my purse for u, come see” and had me unzip her purse and out popped a solid black and very happy and very small Kate Dog. She was the runt of the litter. She is by far the smartest dog I ever owned and seems to be able to adapt to any situation and prevail. She became an excellent bird retriever with minimal effort because it come natural to her like it does a lot of labs. But not all. I have seen a bunch of labs that will fetch but not retrieve birds and I swear on my life I personally never seen one that was as good as her that had not been trained by professionals. I admit tho that professionally trained labs were more obedient than her but I trained her to the best of my knowledge and was still a kid and had no idea how to train a lab. So pretty much all of her ability’s come natural. She would even follow whatever direction I pointed at. But unlike a trained dog that will stop when u blow a whistle to see where u point, she would only turn around to get directions from me if there was not a bird or whatever she was searching for where she initially thought it would be. But she did not come back without it. Which that proved to be problematic at times. Like if it had got back up flying and she didn’t see it and we couldn’t shoot at it with her out there. So I would have to keep a training dummy with me to throw or I believe she would drown herself searching. But at 15 the thought of that never crossed my mind while trying to teach her. And I had to keep a tight leash on her because of not she was bad about what I called “jumping the gun” and as soon as a gunshot went off she would just dive off in the water expecting us to have done our part and hit something for her to do her part way before a duck ever splashed. If it were up to Katie she would already be under the duck as it fell and catch it in mid air. And she was very good at catching things and very very fast on land. In fact I had to stop throwing a heavy training dummy or sticks for her to fetch and swap strictly to light tennis balls because she was so fast that when I would throw as hard and far as I could it with her at my side, she would make it to the area the ball was going in time to turn around and catch it. That was one of my favorite tricks to show people that she did. But when I stopped throwing the dummy was the day she figured out that she could do that and it almost hurt her. It was way too heavy to catch in mid air and u could tell it hurt her jaw so I switched to balls. At any given time u could ask her “Where’s your ball Kate dog” and she would run to some random stash spot and come back with one of countless numbers of balls she’s had stashed all around the years. And she knew where every single one was. And if u stopped throwing it for her she would paw at your feet over and over and aggravate the crap out u to throw it again and if u didn’t her next move was to pick it up, with her mouth of course , and then put it to your leg and take her paw to pin the ball to your leg before she let it go with her mouth. She somehow figured out that even when people wouldnt throw it anymore from her pouncing and slapping at their feet with both paws they woild, they would when she pinned a super slobbery soaking wet ball to their legs with her paw. And if u tried to just ignore all of that showmanship she was pulling and go on about your business, next thing u know u felt a super slobbery ball on your hand because she would walk up from behind u and try to stick the ball in your hand lol. I love that old girl but her days of fetching and hunting have been over for several years now because shes 16 and in no shape to do any running but it aint by her choice. But I swear to u all that still this very second that even tho it’s been 5 may 6 or even more years since she’s played fetch, if u ask her where her ball is, she will wonder off and come back with an old tennis ball or a chew toy and if u throw it she will go get it every time. Bit I’m sure she can’t outrun and catch it anymore. Her back hips give her problems now it seems. When she walks up steps she doesn’t step with one leg at a time, instead she uses her front legs for support to kind of hop both her hind legs at the same time up the next step.
We have a girl lab, six years old yellow one, at our home in Japan. She was also born in Japan. She had her ovaries/tubes surgically removed when she was one year old, because it was causing some issues. She is doing very well now and very healthy. It just seems like she’ll live as long as us humans do (we are in our 40s) , and I cannot imagine she’ll be gone within 10 years…..
My old chocolate girl Is 16 1/2 with no signs of stopping. Her vet says she’s the oldest lab he’s ever treated.
My black lab is 13, congestive heart failure, unfortunately she’s at the end of her life..
I have a six year old black Labrador dog named Ralph. He has been fine so far but of late he seems to be walking very slowly when we are returning back from our one hour walk. I am worried that there might be some health issues with him. Do I need to contact my vet. Please any advise would be helpful.
If this were my dog I’d contact my vet. When our black Lab Stetson was around the same age he too started to slow down. Our vet said he was developing arthritis and our vet recommended putting Stetson on glucosamine/chondroitin which helped. You should definitely consult your vet before giving any supplements.
My ole girl Divey (shirt for Godiva) is 16 years 4 months. She’s got some mild arthritis and has had a few cysts removed but is otherwise doing great. She eats Kirkland mature food at night with salmon oil. That has really made a difference for her dry skin. We adopted her from the veterinary school research lab when she was 4. We joke they gave her some good stuff there.
Duke a black lab with white spot on chest and hind feet now going on 21 started greying around mouth still the fastest dog on the property and catches the odd rabbit once in a while love him to bits
I had a chocolat blockhead lab that just passed he was 13 1/2. Wasnt neutered until he was 6 or 7 when he and the other Male started fighting when my dad brought a puppy home. He had twisted kneecaps on both hind legs that kept him from running fast or jumping in anyway. I ended up keeping him for the 2nd half of his life since we couldn’t him or the boxer from fighting anymore even through closed doors.
My Chocolate Lab Buddy will be 14 in December. He has been an outside dog. This past winter something happened to him with his breathing and he has a gagging cough. He has a bad habit of covering up his food with straw and I believe he ingested some of it. Took him to 2 vets in one day and was told they couldn’t do anything for him because they didn’t have a scope so no clue what was the problem. Brought him back home expecting to lose him and started handfeeding cooked chicken breast and scooping water in our hands for him to drink. He recovered but breathing is a problem. Yesterday was just 84 here in Ky and little humid. Husband found him foaming and purple tongue so we think he suffered a heat stroke because of poor breathing. So, now he is in his huge winter kennel in home with us with central air and fan blowing on him. Breathing much better. His back hips are starting to go and has trouble getting up and walking. Love our Buddy!
An outside dog in 84° with humidity shouldn’t exist.. that’s very cruel to do to your dog..
We got our girl Princess from Lab Rescue (never changed her name ;) just before her 5th birthday. She will be 16 on the 4th of July this year. She is extremely healthy to this day. Only issues are an arthritic lower back that has weakened her back legs, cataracts, and some hearing loss. She still “asks” to go for a walk several times a day. We call her “the terminator” in jest. She has been through a lot–mostly brought on by relentless counter surfing. She once ate an entire bag of raw potatoes, she has eaten loaves of bread in the plastic, even coffee grounds. Several times she broke into the trash and ate chicken carcasses. She has never been sick other than one UTI, and never had surgery, other than being spade. We were told she had birthed a litter of puppies before we got her. She has never lost her veracious appetite, and as I type this, she is breathing hot breath on my leg asking for her dinner. Her entire life, she has been fed Natural Balance dry food (Duck and Sweet Potato, or Venison and Sweet Potato). We occasionally give her a taste of our dinner while cleaning up the kitchen, but we are pretty healthy “whole food” eaters, so it’s usually veggies, or some leftover chicken or salmon. She doesn’t seem to be ready to “check out” anytime soon, and for that we are grateful! Oh, and she’s one of the only labs we know who doesn’t love to swim. We live on a lake in the summer and have a pool the rest of the year and she’s never even tempted by them.
Our pure chocolate lab Katie is turning 15 in 6 weeks. She walks every day, although the walks are getting shorter. We do not feed her table food. Just dry food and have added some canned food for dinner. I was looking through the comments and was so surpsied to see the long life many of these labs have lived!!! We are hoping Katie feels heathy and well enough to make it many more years!!
I’ve been raising Labradors since the late 1980s. On average my dogs live 15-20 year’s and they usually pass in their sleep. I have not had any health issue since 1988 when my first male was put down for hip dysplasia. The oldest female I had passed it 22. I currently have a 17 year old a two year old and one year old. These are all my genetic line and so far I’ve had no issues. My 17 year old still runs and plays just like she did at 7.
That’s amazing! Do you have any tips on how to extend a Labrador’s lifespan?
My yellow lab friend is 12 years old and till about 2-3 weeks ago he still went on a 30 minutes walk twice per day or more and he was a bit running too. He was not like a year before but still moving around, fetching a ball … and then suddenly about 2 or 3 weeks ago he started to stopping on walks after 20 meters… last days he is stopping on 5 meters maybe he goes 10 and then he lays down. I don’t know how is possible that his hips got worse in such a small period of time. The vet gave him some pain killers and glucosamine. At night he sleeps in my bed, but I was thinking that through the day he might be happy to lay on an ortopedic bed if I buy one? Does anybody have this for their lab? I read that it’s good for dogs, if thay have pain in joints… now he has usual bed, but he also likes to lay on tiles or on grass outside. I have small stairs (4 stairs) and I made him a rampe… Do you maybe have some other recommendations or suggestions? I will be very happy! This is all I think about last week, how to help my buddy <3 I was thinking about CBD oil or even Phenix tears (but i do not know how it would go with pain killers), maybe some hidrotheraphy or bioresonance theraphy? Thank you for every comment i'll receive! :)
My dogs also started to slow down around 12 years old. The Glucosamine really seemed to help my dogs when they got older. Besides that I didn’t use any other supplements. Something else you might consider is getting him something to help him walk on slick surfaces. If you any kind of hard floor as dogs get older it’s difficult for them to walk on these surfaces. There are dog booties and toe nail grippers that can be helpful. Hopefully that helps.
Thank you very much for the advise! i didn’t even know that these kind of things exist. I will talk about it with my vet. I was also thinking about getting same leash for back legs, so you kind of taking some of the dog’s weight to help him walk. Thank you :)
My Labrador George is 15 and his back legs are getting week we are taking him to the vets tomorrow and I’m dreading it
My girl Nellie was 16 in May she had both knees replaced 5 years ago, she is strong as an ox and sets the pace when we walk. I credit it to healthy diet, excercise, regular vet visits and a loving home.
My Ginny is an English lab and is almost 14 1/2 years. She survived two bouts of cancer (Mast cell) and is doing great except for arthritis in her hind quarters, loss of almost all hearing, and minor loss of sight. We feed her Natural Balance dry food and table scraps such as leftover meats. I always cook extra vegetables so that she can have a serving or two with her dinner. She is always happy. We started her on Galliprant this week, to see if will help with her arthritis. Other than that she doesn’t take any meds or supplements.
We’ve had 2 Labs, guide dogs. The 1st, Korbel, was a beautiful yellow lab, very smart..sadly he died around 10.5 from cancer. About a year before he died Korbel was retired but we still had him . When he was retired we got Newman, a black Lab, a big goof who didn’t really take his job as serious. He was retired when my husband who was blind became too sick to use a guide dog. But we loved Newman & still have him. He is 11 now & showing some signs of hip problems but his checkup last month the vet said he was healthy & probably needed to start taking the joint supplement. He’s only eaten eukanubs except when he sneaks the cat food. I give him 2 cups of food daily. He’s pretty lazy & doesn’t walk far but loves to go!
I just put down my love Cassie, a black lab rescued @ 8 weeks and 12 1/2 years later today was the day Our family said goodbye. She was diagnosed with Lung Cancer with a 3m mass and really made breathing difficult along with a dry cough. Her excessive panting prevented her from sleeping as the final week was difficult. The process happens very quickly, she soiled her bed and went all over the floor, and I knew it was time. I have lost many people very close to me, and each hurt immensely but losing my best friend I would see everyday and a dog who let my son now 4 hang all over her with a wagging tail breaks my heart. I miss her digging @ the beach or chasing ground squirrels or being so happy when my mom would cook, her perfect little round head and dark set eyes always had me kissing her. She was a bit heavy towards the end but wore it well. I am writing this hoping to help others know to cherish their time with the best breeds in my opinion as I know lying in my house will feel very empty. Phil
I am having a hard time losing my best friend Riley. It was a more than special and I don’t know how to deal with it. I had the vet put him down but I wonder if I should have not done more to help him feel better for a while longer with more treatment.
I have just had to have my black lab Shaun put to sleep I took him on as a foster but no body wanted him ,so he became part of my life as I lost my wife and he became all I had he was constantly with me every move I made he followed me then his legs started to go weak as a result of his neglect when he was younger .for a long time I struggled to get him on his feet then he started to lose control of his back end and was really upset when he fouled his bed I had been taking to the vet for 2 years and they said hi nervous system was in his spine was the trouble . Then the other day could not get him up and he was by the door trying to get out to do his business but couldnt .I called the vet and they came for him and advised me that there was nothing they could do .so I had to lose him , my best pal Like you, feel like I let him down I tried everything even brought my bed down to sleep by him when he couldn’t go up stairs Everything I look at now reminds me of him and his set habits barking every night at 8 for his food , .baking if I would not switch the tele on . I feel completely lost as I live on my own and he was my companion . Roy
So sorry .. this broke my heart to read:(
Hope you’ve found a way to cope since then x
I have black lab we get from shelter he have 2 years now is 14 year a lovely dog have some cancer but still in shape
We lost our beautiful black Lab Sasha in Mar 19 aged 15 and a half. Broke our hearts and always will. However we now have Luna ( tic) a nine month beauty. She loves life and is a water baby par excellence. Can’t keep her out. She’s on a raw food diet and seems to thrive on it. Highly recommended .
We just put our love Tyson down as he developed a rapid pneumonia and was in distress. He went from old age well to dying in a matter of hours. I’m glad he didn’t suffer but I was not ready. I’d never be though. He was 16 years and 3 months. He was walking around the yard and my gardening buddy until the day before he died. He was diagnosed w heart failure in February but was well controlled with medicine. He also had weakening of his hind legs and a herniated disc that caused stiffness but he refused to let it slow him down. He was a rescue from a family who “didn’t know labs got so big”. I got him at 8 months old. Best dog ever. I will miss him the rest of my life. He found me a husband (literally…his dog and mine were playmates), watched me through six pregnancies and two living children, knew how to open doors, I used signs with him to communicate and he was my best buddy for most of my adult life. What a treasure they are. If only I could’ve had him another 16 years.
He was lean by nature (rare for a lab I know) and stayed at 65-70 lbs his whole life until this last month. I think lean living extends life. We also fed grain free and rarely gave more than green beans or peas as treats. He exercised daily and had almost no heath problems, except major anxiety with thunder storms and heart failure at 15 1/2. We did give him rimadyl and tramadol for the last few years along with his heart meds. He was not fixed bc he was always lean and mild mannered. We also were careful with flea and tick meds and vaccinations as he aged bc they seemed to cause him to lose his appetite and have other neurologic issues.
I am amazed by all the older labs here. I know I will own another one someday. I hate how much it hurts to lose them and I’m literally heartsick after Tyson’s loss. But I do believe they are worth the pain. Next time I will add more supplements and healthy foods to their diet to help them live longer.
Our black Labrador, Lady, past away December 2019, at the age of 18 yars and 10 months. She was like a child to us and really very clever.
My black Lab Lucy turned 15 in March, She is the best do we ever had, she doesn’t like to be bad, but she can’t help her self when she smells or sees chocolate. She has always begged for table scrapes, but does more so since she has gotten older. Just last year I got another fur baby Charley a Cavapoo who has lots of energy and I think that what keeps Lucy going.
RAMA FROM INDIA
MY DOG IS 14YEARS AD 9 MONTHS OLD. NOW HE HAS HEART PROBLEM AND MANY NOT LIVE MORE THAN A WEEK AS INFORMED BY OUR VET. GOOD MALE BREED LABRADOR BLACK IN COLOUR – NOT STIRALISED AT ALL
We just lost our black lab “Dante Buddy” He had just turned 18. We adopted him from my grown son when He was 2. He stayed young because of our 2 yorkies and 2 Chihuahuas that were adopted as well. Good food in smaller amounts 3 times a day and lots of walks and car rides on most of all his favorite snack “carrots”.
My black lab Lucy is going to celebrate her 13th year very soon. She’s a little slower and pants a little heavier, coughs and gags some but all test come out good. We love Lucy so much. Hope to keep her a much longer time. She was actually an offspring of my chocolate lab. So I’ve had her all
Of her life. She was spayed at 6 months.
I have a female black lab mix crossed with an English Mastiff. She looks more like a lab. Currently, she is over 15 years old. She has several issues though like being deaf, cataracts, arthritis, trouble walking or backing up. Quality of life really goes down with age. She just eats and sleeps all day. If she stopped walking or something, I would put her down. A few years ago, she went about a week not being able to walk, but she pulled out of it.
Well our second Chocolate Lab passed away unexpectedly yesterday Sunday March 7, 2021. He was only 10 1/2 years old. He was in excellent heath up to this pont. He was having a breathing issues. He was missed diagnosed and was on meds for ???? no sure what the scientific term was. And it was not our normal vet. Our vet was booked so we had to take him elsewhere. Then yesterday morning we knew something was wrong when he did not want his morning milk bone. I took him to the animal hospital and they diagnosed him with fungal pneumonia and a mass on his spleen which was missed. So they started treatment immediately but within a few hours he crashed….cardiac arrest. They were able to bring him back for a short time but he passed before I got back there. ( Also note: this was our second Chocolate Lab…the first passed away unexpectedly at 11 1/2 in 2006).
There is no rhyme or reason but we are heartbroken. Hershey was a loved companion and family member. He will be missed.
Hershey RIP. 10/2010 – 3/2021
My black lab Murphy is still with us, he is 16 years old and has a lot of grey hair (like me) now. He sleeps a lot and snores very loudly now (sleep apnea?) but still gets up and down the sunken living room and step into the sunroom and out a mid-sized pre-exsisting. Doggie door that was here when we purchased our home because they owned dachshunds, which means he has to sort of scootch down a bit to get out. I’ve noticed he he has a lot more difficulty getting up from the floor and has slowed down and seems to not hear as well but other than that he seems happy and enjoys being groomed and massaged. He has a few big nodules I can feel which the vet seems not too concerned about near his ears and one on back. We adopted from a coworker when he was about 10 months old and lost his small puppy cuteness and was too big for their small apartment, and they who couldn’t keep him. In wasn’t sure about getting a large dog , so when we brought him to our new home, I told him, you can’t get bigger than that doggie door Murphy, and seriously looked at me and believe he understood! He is the best companion and is sweetest dog I’ve ever known and he has never been any trouble at all, not ever had an accident in the house even. I really believe he is an angel. I was looking on this site because I hope he will live many more quality years and am looking for ways to help him achieve that.
My Black Lab Cloe was 10 years and 10 month old. I just had to put her down due to lymphoma (cancer) on Friday. She was the sweetest and smartest dog I have ever own. it broke my heart when I had to put her down on Friday. My son had brought her home when she was 6 weeks old. At first I didn’t want another dog because I had a senior Beagle and a cat. But when i saw her little face I fell love with her and she became my dog. Both my Beagle and cat fell in love with her too. The would sit outside her cage and comfort her when she was little. When she was outside of the cage they would play. When she was 2 years old my son finally told me he didn’t anything for her. When she was 5 years old I found hard lump in the back of her leg and had it removed. Then in February she started losing weight and I took her to the vet. They did a ultrasound scan on her and they found spots on her liver. They gave her meds to help her eat. Which did help for a short time. Vet prescribed an appetite stimulant and that has helped. Her desire to eat and has become very picky in what she ate. I cooked for her. I had to take back to the vets on 4/26 because her neck was swollen. That was when they told me she had lymphoma (cancer). They gave her Prednisone. I watch her in the four weeks slowly start to show sign that the end was near. She start not eating, vomiting, sleeping a lot, and diarrhea. The last two days she started vomiting just water. I miss her so much and it is hard not having her here with me. She was part of the family. She was always there when i was having a tough day. She was my shadow and always by my side. She would have a fit if I just walk outside to my neighbor house for on one minute by knocking over the water bowl, the cat food and her food. She really loved her stuff animal lamb chops.
Cloe 8/2/2010 – 6/4/2021
Then you for the article. I have a very unfortunate situation. My roommate was a quadriplegic. She has a beautiful service dog. Sadly my roommate comets suicide and I am now carrying for her 12 year old lab. It’s been changeover as I don’t really live a life style suitable for caring for a 12 year old lab who is used to being with her owner 24/7. I’m almost never home. The only good thing is, coming out of the pandemic I have more time than usual. But my schedule will return to normal soon. So I’m gradually trying to get the dog used to a new lifestyle. Or maybe find a neighbor who might take her altogether. You’re article was very informative thank you
“…there are so many factors, both genetic and hereditary”
Genetic *and* hereditary, huh? Perhaps you could explain how one differs from the other, hmm?
The labs I grew up with were 8 and 12 when they passed. My black lab Dakota is currently 13 years 8 months. She ate purina alpo since she was 1 and has been vaccinated. She gets ear infections and she’s covered in lumps. She’s had a couple bouts of sickness this year which made her lose a lot of weight. She’s about 51 pounds right now (normally she’s around 65 pounds). She also has daily incontinence. Her balance isn’t always the greatest and her eyesight isn’t either. She doesn’t wear a collar and freely walks around our unfenced back yard. She has developed some anxiety in her old age and will follow us around the house. She had bloodwork a few months ago and there were no concerns.
Due to her bladder incontinence increasing we feel that it will just get worse come fall/winter when kids return to school and we’re at work all day. When she has a bm we can easily pick it up of the floor or carpet. But the urine is destroying our home. When asleep she will pee and will be laying on it puppy pad/dog bed/floor/carpet. She isn’t cleaning herself when she does this.
Other then the incontinence our very cold winters are very hard on her joints.
We think that we will be putting her down this fall before she turns 14. We don’t want to, we need to but it’s incredibly difficult as she’s otherwise healthy.
We had a yellow lab which had cancer at age 12 but after removal of her tumor she lived to 13 years and 3 months. We have now a chocolate lab who is already 13 years and 8 months and doing great . Still able to run a little :) of course she sleeps 8 out of 12 hrs during the day and her vision and hearing is not the best but we still love her the same :)
Hello, i have 2 female chocolate Labrador retriever’s. Age 11 half years old, sisters of same liter. Weight 20.40 kg, no signs of slowing down. In very good health, vets said they do not look 11 years old and forgets that they are old ladies. Have been advised to look out for dementia, as they will live longer than expected for Labs due to them being kept healthy and fit.
Our chocolate lab will be 14 in Feb! She had parvo at 5 weeks and almost died. She had a mammary cancer at 8 when I changed her to raw good only. The cancer went away! She still runs(occasionally) and goes up the stairs, but she get excited for food every day! Her eyesight and hearing are not what they use to be. But she enjoys the grandchildren just as much as she did the children!
My Westchester Labrador is 15yr 2months. He is amazing. If he didn’t have arthritis and some spinal issues he would be running in circles today. He does still walk we have to use a lifting harness outside of that his desire and drive is nonstop. He’s a super lovey sweet dog.
Thank you for this extremely informative article. We just laid our Field (American) chocolate lab, Madeline, to rest this week. She was 15 years and 5 days. She passed two day after Christmas, and we are sure that was her gift to us. She gave us so much light for so many years, even having a clubbed foot. I truly believe the key with her was her diet. We fed her quality food, and also gave her fish oil every day off her life. She got veggies as snakes, and LOVED carrots, green beans, and lettuce. She also was a thief of the cuccumbers we grew in the garded. She was a companion dog and slept with us, but we also took her camping, and literally had an inground pool put in so she could swim. She was a force of nature with us, and we will miss her.
I have a beautiful back lab. He’s a purebred and he turned 15 on January 14, 2021! He’s been an awesome pet, my best buddy in life! He was a fabulous swimmer….in the ocean or lakes wherever there was water to swim in! Thank goodness he’s been healthy his entire life….only his yearly check-ups and shots that go a long with the check-up! He’s my second lab! My other lab lived to be 13 1/2 and died of cancer.
Our dog Porter is a rescue who is primarily a black lab, we’ve had him since he was 5 mo. old. He’s always been a very trim lab and never been over 75 lbs. He’s 14.5 now and we are currently waiting on results of a urine test to see if he has bladder cancer. He never had accidents but now has urinary incontinence, our vet suspects it’s bladder cancer. He has muscle wasting, therefore it’s hard for him to get up and down but for the most part, he manages. We’ know that soon we will likely have to help him cross the rainbow bridge. It’s heart wrenching to see him decline, we love him, he has been a wonderful dog.
We had a female black lab/ hound mix. She developed bloat suddenly last week at 14, and had to be put down. She also had multiple eye lid growths that had to be removed, always came back.
My pure female Labrador will be 16 on the 16th of August. She has arthritis and has breathing problems especially at night, and cataracts. She still walks ok though.
My Labrador Lottie has just been put to sleep. She was 16 years and 7 months old. She was a smaller Labrador (working possibly) but a pedigree. I am beyond lost without her. I swear she understood every word we said. So loving and followed me everywhere. Amazing Dogs.
My full bred Black Labrador is 14 years and 3 months. She is doing great, but I did put her on low dose of Carprofen 6 months ago and that helped alot. Now, she can jump on the bed again :)
Every morning I feed her a tablespoon of shredded carrots, 2 banana slices, 1 tablespoon greek yogurt, canned dog food (Kirkland) and premium kibble. In the evening she gets canned dog food and kibble. And a Greenie for dessert. Been doing this for years….not sure if it has helped her, but she sees and hears well and can still walk 2 miles every day. These responses give me hope she can make it till over 15 :).