LAB/DOG owners

[Magalex]

Would like to know how long is the life of an LAB? There is a sweetheart of a yellow Lab at the local shelter(7 yrs). Also the shelter do get alot a LAB puppies too? We have a 5 yr old DS and I know LABS love children

Thanks
Magalex

 

[Christine]

I think 11 or 12 is the "average" life span. Some can go longer, others shorter. My co-worker has one that is 12. She seems old, but is still kicking. His neighbor's lab died at 12.

 

[kasar]

I think I remember reading the average is about 12 years. That sounds about right to us.

Most labs are pretty healthy, but are prone to hip and joint problems.

I'm wondering why someone would put a nice 7 year old lab in the shelter, though. Usually that's when they finally calm down and become nice family pets. Maybe there was an illness or death, but I'd check it out. I hope you're able to give that sweet girl a home, labs are the best!

(this guy looks just like my lab, Blue).

 

[Laurajean1014]

Lab pure breeds 11-12 years
Golden pure breeds 11 years
Mixed Labs/Goldens up to 13 years

My mix golden is 15.5 years old.

Good luck and post pics when you've made your decision. aw: aw:

 

[Crankyshank]

My Uncle's lab mix is 13 and starting to decline. The vet says he has another 1-2yrs left in him.

 

[allie&mattsmom]

My lab baby is going to be four. I'd like to think he'll be around for many more years. My brother's golden retriever lived to be almost 14. Labs are the best dogs!!!

 

[cindercopper]

I have one about 13. She is starting to slow down a bit.

 

[m&m's mom]

Jasmine is now 1 year old. I hope she is w/ us for a very long time.

 

[ZebraStripes]

Our Lab is 13. Still springy. Still drives us crazy (in a good way). Gets tired out faster though.

 

[ShuisFan584]

Well I have a golden retriever and they're pretty similar to labs. My dog is going to be 12 in January. She doesn't have as much energy as she did as a puppy, but she's definitely still very playful and loves going on her walks and playing fetch everyday! She's very healthy and the vet says that he sees a few years left in her.

I think a lab would be a great choice for your family. Labs/goldens are one of the best family dogs. If you keep the dog healthy and active, it could definitely be around for a few years past the average life span.

 

[Magalex]

The dog is refered by "Hashbrown" and in the shelter's website description of him it says about 7 years, he got an A+ on his behavior evalution, good with children, knows some commands, good manners, needs stay at home mom because doesn't like to be left at home by himself(I am a SAHM) or great companion for an older person.

 

[Jackie0824]

You got some great answers already. I had a black lab mix who lived to be almost 13, she developed diabetes, and even with insulin, went down hill fast. I had another black lab, who we just put to sleep in April, she was only10, she had cancer in her mouth.
Right now we have an almost 6 yr old Golden Mix(Adopted at 2yrs old)and a 18 month old yellow lab mix we just adopted 1 month ago. So as you can see, with love those golden and lab mixes

 

[clarabelle]

We had our lab put down after 14 years. She might could have made it longer
but she seemed to be suffering

If she doesn't like to be left alone you might want to check to see if she is afraid of storms/ fireworks/ gunshots
Ours was petrified of them. A common thing with Labs- that can be a bit difficult. This has nothing to do with being mistreated or traumatized. If she was out when we weren't home and it started to thunder-she would almost tear the door down trying to get in.
We got her a Kennel that we would put her in during storms(if we were home) -along with turning on the TV ect... trying to drown out the noise.

They are GREAT with kids. Easy to housetrain. They shed some.

 

[puffkin]

My inlaws had two mutts that were Lab + something else.

They just put poor Bud down a few weeks ago. One of the nicest, well behaved dogs I have ever known. He was 15. He was riddled with cancer and could barely walk by that point (bad hips). They probably should of put him down a few months sooner, but he was just such a happy/content dog, and I don't think he suffered much at all. Poor Bud.....

They also have another dog Bubba. I believe he is a lab/german shep mix. He is about 12 and the laziest dog I have ever met in my life. He does nothing more than eat, go to the bathroom and sleep. He considers it a huge inconvenience to even get up and great you when you come over. He appears to be in decent health though, no problems are apparent yet.

I would expect about a life expectancy of at least 12 years for a lab. I hope you can give the dog a good home. It is so sad to see older dogs in shelters as they have a very low rate of adoptability.

 

[Jen_in_NH]

We have a lab/shepard cross, who is 12, but you'd never guess it from watching her. She still acts like a 1-2 year old.

We also have a husky/border collie cross who is 18, and doing pretty well. I feel like we're running a home for geriatric pets.

Jen

 

[Cindy B]

My Lab girl is 15. Yes, 15. We got her at 12/13 as her previous owner passed away. She is a purebred if that matters any. Her eyesight isn't that great but she's otherwise doing ok.

I knew she wouldn't survive in a shelter, so we took her and her doggie housemate (mini poodle) in.