Contrary to popular belief, a dog’s age is not simply a matter of multiplying their age by seven. Instead, there is a more precise calculation that is used depending on the size of the dog. A smaller dog will generally age less rapidly than a larger dog. This means that a small dog of 10 years old will be younger in human years than a large dog of 10 years.
The calculator below will help you to determine a more accurate age of your Goldendoodle (or any other dog). Simply enter the size of your Goldendoodle and click the calculate button. This will give you the approximate age of your doodle in human years.
Use our handy Goldendoodle age calculator below to see the approximate age of your dog in human years.
Scientists have yet to discover the real reason why small dogs age differently from large dogs. However, the calculator above considers the dog size in order to determine a more accurate age. It uses a standard chart and here is an example for reference.
It’s important to note that this calculation should be used as a rough estimate only as there is no way to determine an exact age comparison between dogs and humans. However, scientists have come up with this fairly accurate calculation and it will give you a good idea.
Standard Goldendoodle Lifespan
A Goldendoodle is mostly a healthy cross-breed that comes from two healthy pure breeds: Poodle and Golden Retriever. In general, you can expect a standard Goldendoodle to live between 10 – 15 years. While this is a general age range, you can help to increase their chances of living longer by utilizing some of the tips later in this article.
Mini Goldendoodle Lifespan
A Mini Goldendoodle may have a longer lifespan than a standard Goldendoodle. You can expect a Mini Goldendoodle to live between 12 – 15 years or longer. My F1B Mini Goldendoodle is currently 14 as I write this and is still in great health. Just as any dog owner would be, I am hoping that she lives way longer than the typical lifespan. I’m going to do all that I can do to help her along the way.
I try to keep my dog as healthy as possible by making sure to always do a few basic things. Let’s look at those below.
6 Ways To Help Your Dog Live Longer
While there are many things that are out of your control when it comes to your dog’s lifespan, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. There are some simple ways you can ensure you are doing all that you can to make their life as long and happy as possible. These things are easy to do but they are also easy NOT to do which is why many people put them off.
1) Regular Checkups
I will admit that I don’t take my Mini Goldendoodle in for checkups as often as I should. She has usually gotten a good bill of health on her checkups so I often go longer between them than I should. Ideally, you want to take your dog in each year for a checkup. This should include the standard physical and should address any other issues of concern.
As your Goldendoodle ages, they may have more and more issues pop up and a regular checkup will become even more important. Checkups can help with the early detection of problems so that you may be able to catch something before it gets out of hand. This could potentially save years on your dog’s life if a life-threatening illness is caught and treated early.
2) Regular Exercise
This should go without saying but still, many people rarely exercise their dogs. I have neighbors with a large dog and I never see them taking it for a walk. It breaks my heart to know that a high energy large dog is in their house not getting the exercise that it craves. It’s no wonder that he runs around the backyard and barks with lots of energy when they let him out.
Most dogs need regular exercise in the form of walking and even more than that if the dog is large or a high energy breed. A large Goldendoodle has a lot of energy so it should definitely be walked each day. Even a senior dog still needs exercise as long as they do not have any issues that cause pain or discomfort.
My senior Mini Goldendoodle doesn’t go walking every day but I do take her multiple times per week. We have slowed down a bit as she has aged but we both look forward to our walks. If dogs don’t get enough exercise, they may gain weight, lose muscle mass, and just become unhappy in general. My dog perks up when she knows it’s time to go walking. It’s just good for them and not only allows them physical exercise but also to get fresh outdoor air and stimulate their senses with all the smells in the air.
3) Feed Them High-Quality Foods
Your dog deserves to eat a high-quality balanced food. I believe in keeping my dog’s food interesting and have changed it up many times throughout her life. I always cook a variety of foods for her and often combine it with commercial foods. She gets tired of the same foods and switching it up gets her excited again and gives her something to look forward to. I have gotten many pointers over the years from my vet and other experts and have figured out formulas that work for her.
Rather than buying the cheapest food you can buy, spend a little more for higher quality. This also might include any supplements or vitamins that may be necessary for them to thrive. An aging Goldendoodle might benefit from a daily multivitamin and other supplements that may help their joints.
4) Give Them High-Quality Filtered Water to Drink
Just like food, a dog needs to have access to a high-quality water supply. I have always given my dog filtered water just like I drink. I personally don’t like to drink tap water that may contain contaminants in it. Chlorine and Fluoride are among the ones I avoid as well as other environmental chemicals that may have leached into the water.
Instead, I drink filtered water from a reverse osmosis system. I use the AquaTru which is a countertop system that removes a large amount of these contaminants. My rule of thumb is that if I won’t drink the water, my dog isn’t drinking it either. I prefer to be cautious about such an essential part of their life. Giving your dog clean, pure water is an easy choice to make that can help keep them healthy.
5) Keep Them at a Healthy Weight
If you are doing the first four tips above, your dog is probably at a healthy weight. However, if you are not exercising your dog nor feeding them healthy and portioned meals, you may have a dog that is overweight. A dog with a healthy weight will be happier, be able to move around better, and breathe better. It will also be easier on their joints and organs throughout their body and will be beneficial to them in the long run.
There are lots of issues that a dog might take on if they are overweight so it’s essential that you keep them at a healthy weight. It’s no different than staying at a healthy weight as a human. When you become overweight, you open yourself up to problems with your health that healthy people may avoid. If you have ever been overweight and then dropped back down to a healthy weight, you know how great it feels.
6) Keep Their Teeth Healthy
Brushing your dog’s teeth and keeping them squeaky clean will go a long way towards helping your dog to thrive. If you neglect this, your dog’s teeth will build up with plaque which will cause bad breath, rotten teeth, and other health problems.
Bad dental hygiene can be a cause of heart disease in dogs so this is a concern that shouldn’t be ignored. If your Doodle is still young, start brushing their teeth regularly and making sure to continue this throughout their life. You’ll not only be rewarded with a dog that has clean teeth and pleasant breath, but you may also ward off other potential health problems in the process.
7) Give Them Lots of Love
Above all, dogs need love and attention and deserve to feel like a valuable member of your family. Many people become indifferent towards their dogs as they age and other life events get in the way. However, this is the time when they need you the most. An aging dog deserves your love more than ever and needs to feel like they are part of the pack. Be sure not to neglect your dog as they get into their later years. Give them the love, comfort, and respect that they deserve.
Conclusion
Now that you know the approximate human age of your Goldendoodle, you can compare it to humans in the same range. It’s difficult to see a dog age so fast and be at the same age as an older human, yet still a baby. To think that a 10-year-old dog can be compared to a 60-year-old (or older) human seems so unfair. It really starts to sink in as you watch your dog grow and then you wonder where all those short years have gone?
Young or old, hopefully, the calculator above will give you a general idea of your Goldendoodle’s age.