Unfortunately the pure breds are not living as long these day's. My folks had to put down their golden retriever last year. The Vet said that the larger breeds are living anywhere from 8 to 10 years now.
When we first got married, we bought a Golden from a "Backyard Breeder". We subsequently joined the local Golden Club. We quickly found out that (according to them) we should have bought from a "reputable breeder". So....we bought a second Golden (Pet quality - not show quality) a year later from a Club member.
The second dog was, indeed beautiful and much closer to the breed standard - and we loved both dogs as they were our first "children". Long story short, the second dog died at age 7 after a bout with cancer. The first dog (who will forever be "my dog") lived to 15 years. I think that the breeding practices carried out by "reputable breeders" is a primary cause that sparks your Vet's comments. Too much inbreeding can't be good?
