Anyone own a very large labradoodle?

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Ours is around 40kg I think.

I'm just wondering how the next few years may look.

He sleeps quite a lot at home but still moves very fast when he decides to run around the house, or out on walks. I wouldn't say any signs of being an older dog.

I wondered at what point he might get more creaky.

Also, does anyone know if the lifespan of bigger versions of the breed is much shorter than average? I know very big dogs like Danes and Wolfhounds have very short lifespans and he's not far off their size.

I have a huge Goldendoodle, he's 6 and still runs round like a puppy, no signs of going creaky yet!

How old is he at the moment OP?

I have a large (rescue) GoldenDoodle. Daft as a brush, very affectionate. Still very fast. She'll be 9 years this autumn.

I had a similar sized Labradoodle, he made it to just shy of his 11th birthday, before we had to put him to sleep as he was suffering with Lymphoma. He didn’t really slow down much until he got sick tbh.

We now have another bouncy 38kg boy and hoping for a similar timescale with him.

Our old bear who died in September was a giant labradoodle. He was 12 when he died (bastard cancer) and was as nimble as a puppy until his last day.

And still very capable of a doodle dash if the mood took him!

His 4 year old ‘brother’ (a double dood, a wonderful if very expensive mutt), is a little smaller, especially now he’s lost 10kg as his hypothyroidism is well under control, and he’s a big puppy in a big body!

Unfortunately, the older dood took the brain cell with him when he died.

Oh yes, I forgot the key information! He's just turned 9.

I've read a lot about how dogs will really slow down at 8-9, and may even need help getting into the car boot. But ours is still hurtling around the place like a puppy!

I have two friends who both have labradoodles!

C - Has one, 12. All fine. A bit slower but nothing wrong with them. Lost their other one a year ago - was only 6 and just seemed to age prematurely. Awful to watch.

H - Has two. Both insane. Absolutely insane. Aged 9. She has to exercise them for 3 hours+ a day. They're huge. Absolute monsters (50KG+) and all muscles. Both showing no signs of slowing down...

Ultimately though I think it's down to the dog as much as it is genetics. I grew up with a Flat Coat. He lived until he was 16. My older sister had one of the littermates - died at 8 (old age - not cancer or any underlying issues). Breed average is 8-10 years.

Can I ask why you're predicting a 10/11 year lifespan again?

When I look it up, it says 12-15 years for the breed. Do you think large size reduces that?

I had a labradoodle about 38kg.

She was diagnosed with multiple myeloma when she was 10. She reacted very well to treatment and died when she was 14.

My vet always used to joke we’ll treat the lab, not the lab reports. Her bloods weren’t great but she was so well in herself.

She developed arthritis in the last couple of years and was on pain meds. I also learned doggy massage and I really think that helped her a lot.

She calmed down from the crazy years about 3, but pretty much remained the same. There was only a slow down of activity the last year.

The important thing if they get arthritis is not to let them be overweight. If I was to have my time again with her, I think I’d really get to grips with the best possible diet and supplementing for joints and bones before arthritis could set in.

i hope you have as much joy as I did. They are really special dogs.

Not even 1 pic.... How awful.