Doodles LIVE HOW LONG?

 
Technically, many written articles state that Labradoodles and Goldendoodles live on the average about 12-15 years.

I say Labradoodles and Goldendoodles, as I have both types of doodles sitting at my feet this very moment, will ONLY live 15 years with a human family that will exercise a sense of humor on a daily basis! So if you are not feeling very humorous in life, I highly suggest getting a doodle. Believe me; you will discover a possible hidden or lost sense of humor while growing OLD together. For now those of you who think they are or have been called “born comedians”, think again! Doodles are the best stand up comedy act in town, outperforming you many times over and over and over again. Though you may be able to be quite the comedian when at a social event alone, without a doodle that is, retelling what antic your doodle did in the past. Otherwise, doodles take first place and you come in as a close second. If you have multiple doodles, then put it this way: you are last but think of laughter as the best medicine around and your doodles are keeping you very healthy. As they say, “He, who laughs last, has the best laugh”.

So how did someone determine the average age of Doodles? Did they refer to Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever and Standard Poodle history for their age along with temperament of comedy and love? For now, humor me as we go and look at what they say about the canine genetic mixes in a Doodle.

First a Goldendoodle , in general, is started by breeding a Golden Retriever with a Standard Poodle. The Labradoodle uses a Labrador Retriever bred with a Standard Poodle.

Golden Retrievers are known as a companion dog that is very friendly, eager to please, happy disposition, responds well to training, peaceful towards other animals, seems to be everyone’s friend in the family and while energetic as puppies, they do tend to calm down a bit in adulthood by 2 years of age. However, there is the exception to the rule and some golden retrievers can take up to 3 years to mature.

The LIFE EXPECTANCY OF GOLDEN RETRIEVERS :12 to 15 years.

The Labrador Retriever is known for its easy going, friendly and faithful nature as well as being excellent hunting dogs. This type of dog also responds well to various types of training (guide, service, therapy, rescue, etc), love attention as well as giving it to their family.  

THE LIFE EXPECTANCY OF THE LABRADOR RETRIEVER: 12 to 15 years.

 Now let’s move on to the Standard Poodle. Originally created to be a water/hunting dog, with a no shedding coat, playful and comical personality, very high intelligence, quite agile, possible watch dog in maturity, and easily trains well.

 THE LIFE EXPECTANCY OF STANDARD POODLES: 12 Years.

 According to the general public and articles on the internet and in books now, the average life expectancy of Doodles is anywhere from 12 to 15 years. For hearsay, I am going to state my doodles will live 15 years to make sure I fully develop and experience a healthy sense of humor laughing for years to come.

 Max now a 22 month old jet black scruffy but cute looking Labradoodle was almost the perfect puppy with only a few comical incidents, however around the age of 15 mos old he decided to release the Lab side of himself. Prior to 15 mos old my family and I had seen mostly the Std. Poodle side of him. Max can easily jump 6 ft in the air and do a butt wiggle and 360 softly landing on his feet. This has caused non-doodle dog owners to have their eyes pop out of their heads and stare in disbelief for a few seconds before they pick their chin off the ground as ask, “Does he always do that?” Or I love the sideways flying through the air at eye level of a person I am talking to that Max thinks is boring and he should be noticed immediately. Once again, I act nonchalant and confirm the black blur at approximately 5ft 3 ins high indeed is my agile, nimble, comical, and mischievous doodle Max. At that moment Max still has a lifespan of 15years since laughter erupted and no harm was done.

When Max shredded a 5ft by 7 ft tall Mexican plant down to 2.5ft by 4ft , I quickly hid the shredded evidence in the bottom of the pot and inspected Max’s mouth for further evidence. Next came pushing this canine pruned Mexican plant that blooms only one night every year into the corner. Under stress or was it the feeling of dread when Dave would discover his prized plant was downsized by several years growth, he might possibly freak out? Meaning Max’s life expectancy was no longer 15years, the way my heart was pounding, my mind racing on how to fix this problem in about 3 minutes, well I figured Max was down to 11.3years left to live or less. I’ve always prided myself at the workplace being able to perform well under pressure and greet challenges with enthusiasm. Here was my chance to prove myself as quick thinking Annmarie, savior of Max’s 15 year life span.

 Hmm… quickly analyzing after scooping up all the shredded succulent leaves that were in tiny pieces, I scan the area. “Where can I hide it for now and later dispose of it into the garbage container outside?” Remember, Dave is due to walk by any minute. A light bulb idea goes off and I feel I can save Max’s life. The plant is big and gangly leaning every which way, so why not rearrange the leaves and stems to appear bigger? Yes I have a plan of action. Moving faster than a speeding bullet I collect all the shredded  pieces trying to bury them in the soil of the large pot the plant sits in while pushing Max’s nose out of the way. Next I push the plant a little over to the left, extend the leaves and stems more to the right, and run downstairs with Max to sit at the dining room table behind my computer with Max lying by my feet. My heart is racing still, I am stifling a giggle or two when I realize how foolish I am to try to cover up Max’s curiosity. I should just tell Dave what happened and leave it at that. But this is real life and this is more fun seeing how long it will take Dave to notice and laugh after I tell him what I did to save Max’s life expectancy.

Dave notices about a day later. Whew, am I ever glad men aren’t as observant as us women. End result? Dave laughs so hard when I relate all the details and agrees Max has immunity thus living out his full life with us. Great and I love Dave even more for being understanding and roll my eyes at Max who tries to feign sheer innocence.
Later we have a 2nd Doodle named Peanut who is a Houdini, a devil, a princess, so sweet, and if she could she’d bounce off the walks and walk on the ceiling along with traveling the world happily with anyone who she meets. Friendly and curious with a wee devil is Peanut’s personality.

When Peanut tasted Dave’s steak sub one night on the coffee table , well her life expectancy went down to almost 9.4years but when I pointed out to Dave why in his right mind he would leave the room to get salt while a puppy was sitting at mouth level to his plate, he agreed it was foolish on his part. Besides the look of happiness and a wagging tail with the cuteness of her smile, restored Peanut’s life expectancy back up to 15 years.

 Let’s add in a 3rd Doodle named Beau who is as calm, happy go lucky and as sweet as a puppy can possibly be. On his own accord, he has watched our other 2 doodle dogs lose some years off their life and how they obtain back a full 15 year life expectancy. Yes, Beau is smart and a good observer too. Beau has mastered the Hush Puppy sad eyed look down pat along with the bowing of his head, tuck the tail down and look like he is going to cry when he does something wrong. Beau’s life expectancy goes up and down like a yo-yo. He has stopped playing quality assurance tester of rugs, shoes, mail or whatever he can slink off with in the blink of an eye. Yet when caught chewing my gas bill he eagerly drops it and waits for me to pick it up. Bingo…full life expectancy is restored at that very moment. And so is when he barks to alert us to Peanut NOT sharing a magazine she claims Max gave to her to read.

 So when I hear the words, very rarely I might add, ” I am going to kill that dog!” I then figure out a way to present a good sense of humor into action. When Max breaks free once a week tricking Dave or my son he will be good on a potty walk off leash and then runs 200 mph around the yard and house becoming a black blur having the time of his life, I then go to the back door and yell, ” BYE MAX!”. Whenever I say these words Max runs back to the front door where I wait and open it. Max then proceeds to go into his crate and punishes himself. I then announce to my household how GOOD Max is as he knows when he does wrong and gives himself a timeout whereby my household ends up laughing and letting Max out of his crate 5 minutes later. Little does Max know he keeps a full 15 year life expectancy each and every time he crates himself when he does something not good in the human view of right and wrong. 

 OH, and if you find yourself wanting to kill that dog when your best pair of shoes are eaten, remember it is up to you to teach them right from wrong while allowing them to fully live their life expectancy as a dog. As a child does not raise themselves nor does a dog. Whether a child or a puppy, both will have their quirks, good points, get into mischief due to natural curiosity that has its moments of correction along with a sense of humor applied at all times or should I say whenever possible?

If my mother and father killed me every time they said that when I managed to error in some way without allowing redemption via love, laughter, patience and further guidance, I guess I wouldn’t be writing this article today.

 So, while you ponder how long will my doodle live, ” 10, 12, or 15 years?” I no longer ponder this question anymore. By letting Doodles enter our home, hearts and life, I now plan on our doodles living as long as possible growing older with us daily. Add to that the great stories that can be told at future gatherings, laughter that has been had and yet to come, along with knowing that no one or nothing is infallible except God.

My doodles are going to live forever. As my doodles will always have a place in my heart, memories and pictures to revisit in my mind at any given moment, and love to feel any time I think of them or just have them lying at my feet waiting for me to finish typing this article and play some fetch with them.

P.S. I am glad to say all 3 doodles in my house have been granted lifetime immunity since writing this article and will live a full life expectancy.

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