Goldendoodle is a breed of golden retriever and poodle. This breed can live between 10 to 15 years. Retrievers have a life span between 10 to 12 years, while poodles have a longer life span reaching up to 15 years. Though some have shorter lives, cause just like humans, some ailments can contribute to a shorter life span.
Their life span will also depend on how well they are being cared for.
Goldendoodles are a breed that requires constant care and companionship, and they need the love and care of their owners. Their overall health will also depend on how well their owners take care of them. Making sure that they are living a happy and healthy life.
This dog breed also demands time spent with their owners cause they are affectionate breed and mostly want to share it with their humans. They are also more expressive and loving when they have bonding moments with their owners.
Here are the steps to ensure that the Goldendoodle will have a chance to live a long and healthy life.
Healthy and Balanced Diet
Even if you want the best for your dog and you only want to make them happy, filling them up with high cholesterol or salty treats is not the way to do it.
You must ensure that you are providing proper nutrition for your dog to stay at a healthy weight, have a healthy heart, gain good bone and muscle health, and gain a healthy coat.
Some dog foods are more nutritious than other types because of the high-quality ingredients used. You need to be careful when choosing the dog food you will feed them.
Table scraps are also not healthy for your dogs cause they can be salty for them. Would you please keep track of what your dog eats and ensure they get the healthy end of their diet?
Exercise
Playtime is also one way to make your Goldendoodle happy and, at the same time, they are exercising. Just letting them run in your backyard for a few minutes is a healthy exercise for them. It is better to walk with them for a good fifteen to thirty minutes since it will also increase strength in bones and muscles.
Exercise is also the best way to boost their immune system and give them something to look forward to every day.
Training
Proper obedience is essential for every dog. A simple command such as stay and sit can prevent accidents. You can control your dog when you have to. When you are in unfamiliar surroundings, and your dog is with you, there is no fear of him running off somewhere or chasing some animals. Simple commands can also help your dog stay put, which will keep him safe wherever he is.
Good Grooming and Proper Hygiene
Grooming and hygiene are crucial to the overall health of your Goldendoodle. It is not just bathing but also keeping their fur maintained. Taking care of their oral health is also one thing. They need clean beddings and clean food, and a supply of fresh water.
While bathing your pet, you should also take the time to inspect the whole body and see any bumps or skin issues you should worry about. It would be best if you kept their ears clean and their nails kept short.
It is to your dog’s benefit if you regularly look after their wellbeing and catch any health issues before it even starts.
Protection from parasites that may bring illness
The common problem faced by dogs with parasites is tick and fleas cause these parasites can target a dog no matter how far they are.
Fleas can bring tapeworms and other diseases that can be harmful to your dogs. Some are even life-threatening.
Ticks can also carry diseases, such as Lyme Disease, Anaplasmosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and even Tick Paralysis.
It is good to know that many tick and flea medicines are available to protect your pets from such parasites. You need to observe your pet if they have ticks and fleas before it multiplies.
Signs include frequent scratching, trying to chew on certain skin spots, and shaking their body at times as they try to remove the crawling parasites from their coat.
Fleas are visible even if they are small cause you will see them leaping from one piece of furniture to another. Flea dirt is obvious, and you can see it on your dog’s fur or spot it on the floor.
Vet Check-Up
A regular visit to the vet is a must. It can be once or twice a year, depending on the need of your pet. It will also keep him up to date with his vaccinations or boosters. It is best to ask the vet’s help for any health issues instead of self-medicating your dog. Sometimes this further worsens the illness instead of remedying it.
The vet will also check if your dog’s weight is where it should be and there is nothing to make you worry.
Here are some common health issues of this dog breed that may have a bearing on their life span:
Hip Dysplasia
It is a common disease, especially with big dogs. Due to their size, Golden Retriever can also experience this ailment during their latter years, and since this is a hereditary disease, it can also happen to the Goldendoodle breed. It is the weakening of the hip joints, elbow, and limbs. The dog will experience difficulty standing, walking, or running. You will notice limping, which is a sign that the dog is feeling the pain and can cause difficulty standing, eventually.
The vet will have to require some treatment which can even include surgery. Your dog will need additional support during these times, and they need to lose weight as well.
Epilepsy
It is noticeable when your dog suddenly walks in a weird pattern. They may also appear confuse and bump on furniture. It may also include the difficulty of breathing and loss of consciousness in the long run. You may need to observe the frequency of the episode so you can relate this to the vet. The vet will know what to provide for your dog, such as medicine, and will do further tests to ensure that your dog will get the right treatment.
Gastric Dilatation Volvulus or GDV
A life-threatening disorder that can be seen in large dogs. There are also instances that other dogs can get affected by this disorder.
The dog’s stomach will fill with gas which causes bloating. The bloat will then progress to volvulus if left untreated. It is where the stomach that is filled with gas will twist and block the entrance and exit, making your dog’s stomach appear huge. This is a life-threatening situation for your pet. They must be brought to the vet for immediate treatment.
Sebaceous Adenitis
It is a skin disease in Goldendoodles where their sebaceous glands are inflamed and cause hair loss. It is another hereditary disease commonly seen in a standard poodle.
Your dog will have problems that will manifest on its neck, back, and head. The appearance of scales on their skin and hair matting is noticeable. Eventually, your dog’s hair will decrease and fall off.
In this disorder, the sebaceous glands where the sebum is produced malfunction and became inflamed. This results in the gland not working as it should.
Other symptoms include a musty odor, the appearance of scabs, sores, and hot spots. There are lesions on the head and body of your dog, plus the eventual hair loss in your dog is the result.
The severe stage is when your dog’s skin becomes infected with bacteria or yeast, which is brought about by the dog’s apparent continuous itching and scratching.
Sub Valvular Aortic Stenosis
A heart condition is found in the large dog breed. The aorta is too narrow, and the distribution of the oxygen-rich blood is getting compromised. The heart requires working harder to continuously pump so the rest of the body will get oxygen-rich blood.
Symptoms may depend on the severity of the disorder, where some dogs will faint since there is not enough oxygen to the brain. Some dogs will have no energy for their daily activity, and their growth is slow, while others will be sluggish and not feed as much.
Addison’s Disease
Also known as Hypoadrenocorticism. This disease causes the cortex to be destroyed by the dog’s immune system and leads to less production of essential hormones called glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids.
These two hormones are crucial in the dog’s bodily functions. Symptoms will include vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, loss of appetite, increased urination and thirst, and shivering and shaking episodes. The dog can also collapse eventually when the body is severely affected.
They need a vet’s help to identify the disease and do some bloodwork. The vet will also prescribe some medicines and other treatments.
Patellar Luxation
This is where the patella or the kneecap in your dog suddenly dislocates from the joint. It will be excruciating for your pet as the back leg slides out of place, resulting in discomfort.
Symptoms will include difficulty moving around, limping while walking, not wanting to jump, run or play with other dogs, swelling of the affected site.
The vet will have to do a thorough check-up to provide the correct treatment. It can either be a surgical treatment or non-surgical and will depend on the severity of the problem. Non-surgical treatment includes weight management, exercise, medication, and therapy.
Cataracts
Although Cataracts are not only common to the Goldendoodle, cataracts often happen to this breed. This is when the lens of the dog’s eye has opacity, and both eyes may be involved. Eyes are clouding, and you will notice your dog having difficulty focusing on things around him.
The vet will be able to identify the progression of the disease and will include surgery to remove the cover on the lens.
Your dog cannot function when they have cataracts cause both their eyes will be compromised, eventually.
Cancer
One health problem that is common in Goldendoodles is Cancer. It can appear as early as 7-years or when the dog turned 10-years.
It is also the common cause of death in dogs but just like in humans, when the cancer is diagnosed early, it has a higher chance of being treated. The typical type of cancer found in dogs includes Mast Cell Tumors. The tumors found in the dog’s skin where are benign to malignant.
Lymphoma is where glands or lymph nodes become swollen and often found on the shoulder, under the neck, or behind the knee. Some are not visible or palpable, like those found in the abdomen or chest.
Breathing difficulty and digestive trouble are common in this illness, and the dog will deteriorate if not treated the soonest.
Osteosarcoma is also a common form of bone cancer in dogs where the larger breeds are highly affected. However, other sizes can get this cancer as well. Bones affected are bones in the wrist, knee, or shoulder. The afflicted area will have swelling, and difficulty of movement in your dog is apparent. Pain is also common.
Testicular Cancer is common in unneutered Goldendoodle and is highly preventable if you neuter your pet. The early diagnosis is critical for the successful treatment of this type of cancer.
Other cancers found in Goldendoodles and other dogs include Melanoma, Mouth and Nose Cancer, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Malignant Histiocytosis, Bladder Cancer, Mammary Carcinoma, and Brain Tumors.
The most common cancer in mammary carcinoma and non-spayed female dogs is at high risk for female Goldendoodles. Fifty percent of the tumors found in dogs are malignant, so surgical removal is appropriate.
Signs and symptoms you need to watch out for include bumps and lumps on a dog’s skin in any parts of the body. An odor that may be too foul or a discharge from the ears, rectum, mouth, or eyes should worry you. Wounds that won’t heal and loss of appetite in your dog should not be a common occurrence. When there is also difficulty breathing, coughing, depression, lethargy, swelling, pain, differing bathroom habits, it is important to have your dog checked by the vet.
