Expected life span for Labrador Retrievers -- and how to help YOUR Labrador Retriever live longer.

Health problems in Labrador Retrievers that affect quality of life and/or how long a Labrador Retriever lives:

Orthopedic diseases in Labrador Retrievers:

  • hip dysplasia
  • elbow dysplasia
  • luxating patella
  • osteochondritis
  • cruciate ligament rupture
  • wobbler's syndrome
  • hypertrophic osteodystrophy

Eye diseases in Labrador Retrievers:

  • PRA
  • retinal dysplasia
  • cataracts
  • entropion/ectropion

Heart disease in Labrador Retrievers:

  • tricuspid valve dysplasia

Tumors and cancer in Labrador Retrievers:

  • mast cell tumors
  • melanoma
  • histiocytic sarcoma
  • digital squamous cell carcinoma

Neurological/neuromuscular diseases in Labrador Retrievers:

  • epilepsy
  • centronuclear myopathy
  • laryngeal paralysis
  • megaesophagus
  • myasthenia gravis
  • cerebellar ataxia

Endocrine diseases in Labrador Retrievers:

  • addison's disease
  • diabetes
  • hypothyroidism

Skin disorders in Labrador Retrievers:

  • allergies/pyoderma
  • seborrhea
  • lick granuloma
  • nail bed disease

Other health problems in Labrador Retrievers:

  • bloat (gastrointestinal)
  • blood-clotting disorders

How Long Do Labrador Retrievers Live?

By Michele Welton. Copyright © 2000-2010


The typical life span for Labrador Retrievers is 10-12 years old, though some are fortunate enough to reach 13 or 14.

However, many Labrador Retrievers today live less than 10 years.

These unfortunate dogs are struck down in middle age by inherited cancers, tricuspid valve dysplasa (heart disease), bloat, epilepsy, or neuromuscular or autoimmune diseases.

Indeed, health problems have become so common in Labrador Retrievers that it can be difficult to find an individual you can count on remaining healthy for a normal lifetime.


There are two causes of health problems in Labrador Retrievers:
  1. GENETIC. Your puppy inherits these health problems from his parents.
  2. ENVIRONMENTAL. Your puppy's health is affected by everything he puts in his mouth (food, water, chew toys), by everything he breathes (fragrances, smoke, fumes), by everything put into or onto his body (medications, drugs, chemicals, vaccines, ointiments, sprays, cleaning products on your floors) . . . virtually everything he comes in contact with. Many of these things cause health problems in dogs.

To find a healthy Labrador Retriever and KEEP him healthy. . .

Book cover

I wrote How To Buy a Good Dog to help you find a puppy that has the best chance of growing up healthy. Genetic health problems have become embedded in the Labrador Retriever gene pool by unwise breeding practices.

In How To Buy a Good Dog, you'll learn how to find knowledgeable, responsible sources of Labrador Retrievers that are genetically healthy.		 Book cover

I wrote a 11 Things You Must Do Right To Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy to help you KEEP your Labrador Retriever healthy for a lifetime. Environmental health problems can be avoided by raising your Labrador Retriever in all the right ways.

In 11 Things You Must Do Right. . ., you'll learn 11 "Golden Rules" for preventing health problems throughout your dog's life. By doing just these 11 things, you will minimize your Labrador Retriever's chances of developing health problems and maximize his lifespan!