Golden retrievers are known for their friendly and outgoing personalities, but they also have a relatively short lifespan, with an average of 10-12 years. However, new research has identified a gene that is associated with a longer lifespan in the breed.

The study, published in the journal "PLOS Genetics," analyzed the DNA of 300 golden retrievers, some of which lived longer than 13 years. The researchers found that dogs that had a certain variant of the SERPINH1 gene were more likely to live longer.

SERPINH1 is a gene that is involved in the regulation of inflammation. The variant of the gene that was associated with a longer lifespan in golden retrievers has been shown to suppress inflammation in other studies.

"This is the first study to identify a genetic variant that is associated with longevity in golden retrievers," said Dr. Christopher Brown, an assistant professor of veterinary medicine at the University of Missouri and lead author of the study. "We believe that this gene variant may help to explain why some golden retrievers live longer than others."

The researchers hope that their findings can help to develop new treatments that can extend the lifespan of golden retrievers and other dog breeds.