We all want our dogs to live the longest lives possible, and Goldendoodle owners are no exception. As such, it’s normal to wonder who the oldest Goldendoodle is, along with their age.
Unfortunately, there is no record of the oldest Goldendoodle to have ever lived. However, there are many people on social media claiming the oldest Goldendoodle has lived up to 17 years of age.
Keep reading to find out how you can maximize your Goldendoodle’s lifespan.
Before reading this guide, “Who Is the Oldest Goldendoodle,” check out: Can Goldendoodles Swim? (2023)
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ToggleWhy Goldendoodles Don’t Live Very Long
The average Goldendoodle only lives to be about 10 or 12 years old, as reported by the American Kennel Club. But previously, it was common for Goldendoodles to live up to roughly 16 or 17 years old.
But why the shift now? The Goldendoodle was bred using two popular dog breeds, the Golden Retriever and Poodle. Since both of these parent breeds have a high rate of different health problems, it is very likely that the Goldendoodle will sooner or later develop health issues as well.
Who Is the Oldest Goldendoodle?
The world’s oldest Goldendoodle has not yet been officially recorded. However, there are owners all over the world posting photos and memories of their adorable senior Goldendoodles.
Goldendoodle owners are beaming with pride when they share photos of their 11- to 15-year-old dogs who are still active and in good health in online communities and Facebook threads.
There have even been reports of Goldendoodles that are 17 years old and are still active. Goldendoodle owners who are hoping for a longer lifespan for their pets will be overjoyed to hear this.
Life Stages of a Goldendoodle
What follows is a description of the life of a Goldendoodle, beginning when it is a young puppy and continuing on until adulthood. A healthy diet, regular exercise, and access to veterinary care all contribute to a long life for a Goldendoodle.
Newborn
Goldendoodle puppies typically have anywhere from three to seven siblings and lack sensory experiences at birth. Additionally, they will not have teeth and will have to rely solely on their mother’s milk and other sources of sustenance. They seek her out as a source of safety and comfort.
The majority of Goldendoodle puppies gain their vision sometime after two weeks. By the end of their first month, they’ll be able to get around on their own and start interacting with others. As any Goldendoodle owner knows, the best part is when they are just a little puppy.
Puppyhood
Goldendoodle puppies are social, outgoing, and full of energy between the ages of two and six. Due to their extraordinary intellect and eagerness to learn, they are prone to getting into a lot of trouble by exploring everything around them.
Your Goldendoodle puppy will greatly benefit from regular, vigorous activity, but it also requires plenty of time to rest and recover.
Your new Goldendoodle may surprise you by displaying some independence. This dog breed has the potential to be known as one of the most rebellious puppies. However, with the right encouragement and training, all of these problems are fixable.
Goldendoodles are not considered full-grown dogs until they’ve reached at least one year of age. It takes a minimum of a year and a half, and sometimes even two, for larger Goldendoodles to reach their full size. They will still be active, but if you’ve trained them well, they’ll listen to you now.
Adulthood
After about two or three years, Goldendoodles are considered adults. They will continue to be joyful additions to your family as adults. When they are six to eight years old, most dogs have reached a point in their lives where they are content to settle down.
As they age, Goldendoodles‘ athletic build and longer legs make them more susceptible to joint problems like arthritis. A chiropractor may be helpful for senior Goldendoodles. If they are in pain or discomfort, you could also give them medication to reduce inflammation.
You can do numerous things to ensure your Goldendoodle lives a long and happy life. After all, Goldendoodles can live for at least 10, and often 15, years. Who knows, you may find yourself with the oldest Goldendoodle!
Common Goldendoodle Health Issues
Disease and illness can shorten or lengthen the life of a Goldendoodle, just as they can for dogs of any breed. The following is a list of common health issues that afflict Goldendoodles:
Hip Dysplasia
The cause of hip dysplasia is a joint that is not formed properly, which causes the bones to rub against each other. Some older adults develop arthritis, and surgery to replace the affected joint with a plastic and metal prosthesis that is functionally equivalent to the natural one is the typical treatment.
Ear Infections
Bacteria thrive in the warm, damp crevices of floppy ears. These may start out seemingly harmless, but if left untreated, they can progress to become severe inner ear issues. It’s a good idea to include frequent ear examinations and cleanings as part of your Goldendoodle’s maintenance routine.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Pregressive Retinal Atrophy is not just one disease but a collection of many that will slowly destroy a dog’s eyesight. The dog’s night vision is the first to go, and eventually, it will have trouble seeing in the daytime as well.
This disorder has a genetic component and typically manifests in adulthood.
There is currently no cure available; however, it appears that even the oldest Goldendoodle will be able to cope well with the condition. Although there is no hard evidence that it works, some dog owners give their dogs antioxidant and vitamin supplements in an effort to delay the onset of cataracts.
Von Willebrand’s Disease
This condition is caused by a lack of proteins that prevent proper blood clotting and can lead to serious complications. Injuries, operations, or even the loss of a single tooth can result in dangerously high blood loss if this happens.
This genetic disorder has no known cure; however, it can be managed with medicine and treatments such as blood transfusions, coagulation sponges, and styptic powder. All credible breeders will screen their Goldendoodles for this disease as part of their routine screening process.
Cancer
Cancer is quite prevalent in the Goldendoodle’s parent breed, the Golden Retriever.
Tips to Extend Your Goldendoodle’s Lifespan
Follow the tips in this section to keep your pup a top contender for title of oldest Goldendoodle!
Exercise
Like their human friends, dogs benefit mentally, physically, and emotionally from regular exercise. One of the best things you can do for your Goldendoodle is engage in lots of physical activity.
Nutrition
It’s adorable to see Goldendoodles eating human snacks on Instagram, but it’s obviously not recommended.
Pancreatitis is an emergency waiting to happen if you feed your dog table scraps and greasy foods. The risk of pancreatitis is somewhat greater in Poodles compared to several other dog breeds.
Pancreatitis is only one reason why a healthy diet is crucial for the oldest Goldendoodle! Talk to your vet about what you can do to improve your dog’s diet so that he lives a long and healthy life.
Vet Visits
Keeping in mind the topic of veterinarians a little more, taking your Goldendoodle to the veterinarian regularly is one more thing you can do to increase the likelihood that he or she will live a long and healthy life. Consistent checkups with your vet are an important part of disease prevention.
Weight
A recent survey conducted by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention found that approximately 56 percent of dogs are overweight. This is a very unfortunate finding.
Furthermore, an article by the Cummings Medical Center at Tufts University states that the “estimated increased median lifespan of normal-weight dogs over overweight dogs was six months to two years and six months.”
Although there is not much current data on the obesity level of Goldendoodles, your Goldendoodle’s general physical condition score is something else you and your vet should talk about.
Stress Reduction
Is it possible for a dog’s lifespan to be shortened by stress? We know that stress can be detrimental to humans. So, it’s really no surprise when you find that stress can be just as bad for dogs and even shorten their lifespan.
Since it has been shown that stress can shorten a dog’s lifespan, the antidote (a stress-free life in which you lavish your dog with unending love) must be beneficial to the mental health of the oldest Goldendoodle.
Even though we haven’t been able to locate any studies that back this up, it’s possible that providing your pooch with a day at the spa may also be beneficial.
Dental Care
Taking care of your dog’s dental hygiene is as simple as taking a minute from your day to brush his teeth. Preventing and treating periodontal disease can greatly improve a pet’s quality of life and extend its lifespan, as recommended by the American Animal Hospital Association.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Goldendoodles live to 20?
Most Goldendoodles only live to be up to 15 years, so few, if any, will reach 20.
What is the cause of death of Goldendoodles?
All Goldendoodle owners should screen for cancer, heart disease, and bloat.
What Doodle breed lives the longest?
Doodle breeds are new enough that it’s tough to compare them across the board and determine which has the greatest longevity. That said, many F1 Goldendoodles live up to 15 years.
Conclusion for “Who Is the Oldest Goldendoodle”
Imagine 16 or even 17 wonderful years with your dog. So, although there is no official record of the oldest Goldendoodle, you can rest assured that your Goldendoodle will live a long and healthy life if you have taken the right steps to care for him and his well-being.
If you find this guide, “Who Is the Oldest Goldendoodle,” helpful, check out:
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Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
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