The ever-playful Labradors are registered as America’s number one dog breed with the American Kennel Club. Labradors are friendly dogs that were bred to act as both a working dog and friendly companions. These canines were so hardworking that fishermen trained them to fetch ropes and haul nets. Labradors are also termed as Labrador retrievers because of their use by hunters to retrieve game birds. These dogs have been faithful to these traits to date and even today, Labradors are one of world’s favorite dog breed. These dogs can be found today as assistance dogs, search and rescue dogs, show dogs and more commonly as house dogs.  They are excellent house pets because of their friendly and loving nature. But how long does a Labrador live exactly? Let’s take a look on average lifespan for a Labrador.

Average Lifespan of Labradors

Average lifespan of a Labrador is around 12 to 12.5 years. However according to a study, chocolate Labradors have shorter lifespan as compared to others with an average of 10.7 years. The color of a coat does not have any direct effect on the longevity of your precious companion but the life of a Labrador is dependent on a multitude of factors including its health, genetics, diet and their workout routine. Let’s take a look at some factors that can affect the life of your canine companion. 

• Genetics of Labrador:

One of the most common causes of short lifespan in dogs are weak genetics due to inbreeding. Hip Dysplasia is a common disease in Labradors which is a genetically transferred disease. It was found in a study that hybrid dogs usually live longer as compared to their pedigree canines due to stronger genetics and better mixing of recessive genes from each parent. This is also the reason why Chocolate Labradors have shorter lifespans as compared to other colored coats because of their excessively selective breeding. Timely vaccinations can help keep in check certain diseases and illness and result in building a stronger immunity for your bud. 

• Diet of Labrador and Obesity:

Labradors are known to be heavy eaters. While a healthy and balanced diet is a must for any dog, Labradors can easily become obese when they are fed too much. Obesity can make your dogs lazy and according to study, larger dogs tend to have shorter lifespans as compared to smaller dogs. So a firm hand when giving your buddy treats can come a long way for his health.  

• Workout Routine for your Pup:

Labradors were bred to be working dogs, which worked side by side their fishermen and hunter companions. These dogs need lots and lots of exercise with a healthy and nutritious diet. Therefore, for a longer lifespan you should ensure that your pup gets enough nourishment and exercise from a young age. A rule of thumb for pups is ten-minute workout for every month of your pup’s age.

Conclusion

In the end it can be said that a dog’s lifespan can be greatly improved given a well-balanced diet and exercise plan. Timely vet visits and vaccinations can help build immunity and protect your Labrador from a variety of illnesses. And last but not least lots of care and love are a must for any canine companion.