Apartments Are Not Appropriate For German Shepherd Huskies
Several factors are problematic when attempting to combine apartment living and a Husky mix.
Your Shepherd Husky mix will not be a giant dog but probably too large for the confined space of most apartments and condos.
More challenging than space, however, is your dogs energy level. Shepskies require a lot of exercise and have an intensity that can make them anxious when confined.
You may be thinking, Well, my apartment is big enough, or I will just take the dog out for walks multiple times a day. Even if you successfully adapt your pet to city dwelling, will your community be welcoming?
Many property owners and insurance underwriters view Siberian Huskies as destructive and aggressive. Also, many people fear Huskies, viewing them as threatening to cats, small dogs, and even children.
Insurance companies who employ breed blacklisting policies have been recently added the Siberian Husky to the list.
German Shepherds are finding themselves on more Dangerous Dogs lists because of poor breeding or negligent socialization but also due to their long standing guard dog status.
Potential restrictions on where you can live with your Shepsky will always be present, and usually dont distinguish between mixed breeds and purebreds.
If they ban German Shepherds, for example, any dog with more than a certain percentage of that breed will be prohibited, face higher security deposits, among other measures. You could end up facing a double penalty with a GSD Husky mix.
The Average German Shepherd Lifespan
The lifespan of a German Shepherd will vary depending on each dogs overall health and the care they receive throughout their life.
Though 10-12 years is the standard, there are ways to keep your Shepherd in the best shape possible, and help increase the likelihood of your furry friend to beat the standard age.
Below, well go into detail on the multiple ways you can prolong your GSDs life, and what to expect.
How To Exercise Your German Shepherd Husky Mix
Original purposes of the German Shepherd vastly differ from that of the Siberian Husky.
The German Shepherd is a true all-purpose workaholic most commonly found in the following sports:
- Tracking
- Schutzhund
- Police/military force
A lot of people get German Shepherds Husky mixes to get that protective instinct that the German Shepherd has.
This is not always the case and even a purebred may struggle with protection without proper direction and training.
That doesnt mean you should start protection training with your mixed breed or even purebred on your own.
Always consult a professional to avoid teaching your dog negative behavior patterns .
Lets take a look at the Husky.
Huskies are incredibly enduring. How could they not, they were bred to run hundreds of miles in very cold climates.
But their original working purpose was quite specific and they may need to have an outlet for this desire to run.
A Husky German Shepherd mix may not be into snuffle mats or toys as much as youd like him to but needs mental stimulation nonetheless.
Training your dog early on will prevent behavioral issues in the future and get your dog used to brain training.
Since both breeds are relatively high energy, you need to walk your Shepsky at least twice a day for a minimum of 30-60 minutes each walk.
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How Long Do German Shepherds Live For
The average life span of a German Shepherd is between 10 and 13 years. Some may live shorter lives if they encounter unusual health problems, while some might live beyond 13 years if theyre in good health. As we can see in the table below nearly 50% of this dog breed dies between the age of 10 and 13 years. If we would calculate the average age of death for a German Shepherd dog it would be around 12 years.
Some factors that affect a dogs life span are outside of your control, such as genetics or injury. However, there are many steps you can take as an owner to improve both the quality and length of your German Shepherds life.
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White Swiss Shepherd Dog
The White Swiss Shepherd Dog is a variety of the German Shepherd bred in Switzerland. It descends from the American White Shepherds the first stud dog of what became the breed was an American dog born in 1966 and imported to Switzerland. The variety was recognised by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale as a separate breed in 2003, and it is now recognised by a number of national kennel clubs.
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History & Facts About German Shepherds
The German Shepherd is one of the most well-known shepherd breeds. In the late 1800s, German Shepherds were bred in Germany and quickly became a popular military dog breed. In fact, they are still immensely popular breeds in the military and law enforcement. This is due to their intelligence, athletic prowess, and quickness. German Shepherds are used not only in the military and police forces, but also as guide dogs.
They are a breed that is both intelligent and loyal. When exposed to socializing and young children from an early age it helps them to soften their natural protective instincts. As a result, they are more adaptable to family life. The German Shepherd, like most Shepherd breeds, requires a lot of exercise daily. You should also make sure that their exercise routine challenges them both physically and mentally, as this helps with their overall behaviour.
The coats of German Shepherds are typically brown and black. They have both short and long-haired coats. This, on the other hand, is a genetic trait inherited from their parents. They shed about twice a year and should be brushed twice a week. Consider doing it more frequently as the seasons change and they shed more.
What Is The Average Lifespan Of A German Shepherd
The average German Shepherds lifespan is 11 years. This varies depending on the dogs lifestyle . Believe it or not, there is also a difference with how German Shepherds are raised in America versus in Germany.
The American GSD lifespan tends to be shorter because German Shepherds are bred for dog show purposes, which means strict expectations on how they should appear. In Americas dog show standards, this means a sloped back.
This, unfortunately, can lead to some problems such as arthritis, hip dysplasia, and other joint or back problems. Overall leading to affected mobility for the animal.
On the other hand, Germany does not so much emphasize dog shows, hence a longer average life expectancy of a German Shepherd because it is less about the looks and more about the physical, working ability.
They must pass several tests to show that the dogs are physically and mentally good before they are bred. This leads to a higher chance of having no hip or elbow dysplasia.
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The German Shepherds Life Expectancy
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German Shepherds usually have a life span that ranges from nine years to thirteen years, and even if their living conditions are adequate and they do not have any health problems, their life expectancy could exceed fifteen years. Of course, this can vary between some of the German sheepdog breeds or be conditioned by factors such as living conditions, genetics, medical and periodic care received, good nutrition, and, above all and more important, The amount of exercise you do.
Responsible breeding can be the best way to extend the life of animals. If you give your pet the attention she needs, her health will be an oak, so her life span will probably be longer. When talking about breeding, it is important to know the origin and ancestry of your pet. If their ancestors have been dogs with serious illnesses, your pet probably does too. This is why breeders avoid crossing dogs with any health problems.
Diet Vet Checks And Grooming Are A Must
You must be mindful of your dogs dietary needs, grooming requirements, and regular veterinary check-ups. Its also important that your dog completes its vaccinations from birth until its adolescence this would include booster shots and annual rabies doses. Furthermore, be wary not to feed your dog with human food that can cause digestion problems such as chocolates and the like. Note that giving your dog treats from the kitchen may not be healthy for it, even though it may seem to like it.
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How Big Are German Shepherds
Males stand about 24-26 inches at the shoulder and weigh 75-110 pounds.
Females stand about 22-24 inches and weigh 65-90 pounds.
Some German Shepherds are considerably larger than that, but shouldn’t be. This breed is supposed to be athletic and agile, not giant-sized and ponderous. Larger dogs can have more joint problems and a shorter lifespan.
How Much Bigger Will My German Shepherd Get
There are a few ways to gauge how much bigger a German Shepherd will get.
First, check your puppy’s age. If your GSD is younger than two years old, they definitely have room to keep growing!
Another way to tell if your pup still has a lot of growing to do is their paw size. Do their paws look large compared to their legs and body? This is a classic adolescent feature of a dog, and means your pup is likely still growing!
If you bought your German Shepherd from a breeder, they should be able to give you a specific, estimated weight based on your puppys parents and past litters. Most of the time, a dog will not grow bigger than its larger parents.
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How Long Do Mixed Breed Dogs Live
For mixed breed dogs, owners can use an individuals weight to help determine how long he or she would be expected to live. In general, small dogs enjoy longer lives than do their larger counterparts. A recent analysis of veterinary records revealed that dogs under 20 pounds had an average lifespan of 11 years while those over 90 pounds typically lived for only 8 years. Medium and large dogs fell in the middle at around 11 years. .
But average life expectancy isnt the whole story. The very definition of average means that many individuals will have shorter lifespans while others can be expected to live much longer than the norm. Perhaps a better way to evaluate a dogs longevity is to convert dog years into human years. In this way, we can understand just when a dog is an adult, a senior citizen, geriatric, or the equivalent of a human centenarian.
Information about a dogs expected lifespan wont help blunt the pain of his or her loss, but it can help owners plan how to best care for their companions during the time we do have together.
April 17, 2020 by Jennifer Nelson
German Shepherds are one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States, second only to the Labrador Retriever. Theyre extremely intelligent and devoted to their families. Unfortunately, the breed is plagued by a lot of health problems that can affect their lifespan. So, how long do German Shepherds live?
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Finding The Correct Breeder
You will need to find a breeder who is still enthusiastic about the breed you want to buy. When I say this, I mean that you should look for a breeder who is breeding with the goal of improving the dog breed rather than just seeing it as a commercial opportunity. German Shepherds bred in the United States have shorter lifespans than those bred in Germany. It is then recommended that you carefully examine the breeders program to see if he has any German bred dogs in his program. If there is, it will improve the overall strength of the dogs bred through the program. As a result, it has the potential to significantly reduce the occurrence of common illnesses in German Shepherds.
A good breeder will be able to show you the puppies and answer any questions you may have. They should ask you a few questions to see if this breed is a good fit for you and if you are prepared to welcome it into your home. Stay away if a breeder displays his puppies in a pet store. A good breeder will take care of the adult dogs in his breeding program as well. When you go to see the puppies, dont just look at them also consider the conditions in which the breeding dogs live and how they are cared for. Health testing should also be done on the breeding dogs.
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Is 10 Old For A German Shepherd
Yes, a 10 year old german shepherd is not only 70 years old in dog years, but it is old for that breed. At an average lifespan of 9-12 years, your 10 year old german shepherd has lived a long life! At this age paying attention to their health is extremely important. GSDs suffer from several health issues as they get older as described below.
While 12 years old is not the maximum age of a GSD it is the average age at which they tend to pass away. The oldest german shepherd on record is described below.
If you spayed or neutered your GSD they tend to live a few months to a few years longer. The study that covered that information did not look at elderly dogs that were recently spayed or neutered.
Other Ways Of Extending Your German Shepherds Life Expectancy Include:
- Spaying or neutering your German Shepherd which is said to reduce the risk of death from transferrable diseases or distress.
- Reduce the chances of distress by monitoring your kids interaction with the puppy, their exercise activities, using pet car seats, yoking a tiny dog bell, and using a leash with body harness.
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Adolescent Age Up To 2 Years
Like what human teenagers undergo, German Shepherds have this stage too. Beginning 5 months of age, as the onset of their sexual maturity, their hormones will create havoc unless the dog is neutered right away. In this phase, they will mark their territory, females will have their first estrus period, and their mind is fully alert.
Are German Shepherds Smart
According to the author of The Intelligence of Dogs,, Stanley Coren, Ph.D., ranks the German Shepherd as the third smartest dog breed. This study took a look at more than 100 dog breeds as they were judged by 200 dog obedience judges while learning new commands. Dogs were ranked based on their ability to perform commands 95% of the time or better based on less than five command repetitions.
The incredible level of intelligence in the German Shepherd, a level only bested by the Border Collie and the Poodle, makes this breed incredibly versatile. An ability to quickly pick up new commands and an intense desire to please its master means that this breed is the perfect candidate for any number of professional positions available to canines. This trait is perhaps why this is the breed of choice for both military and police work worldwide.
When theyre serving professionally, the German Shepherd can take part in police work, guard dog work, sheepdog work, service dog work, military work, and search and rescue work. German Shepherds also frequently participate in dog sports, including obedience, tracking, flyball, ring sport, and agility.
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What Traits Influence A Breeds Longevity
So what is it about long-living breeds that allow for their outstanding health? According to science, several factors are likely to contribute.
It is true that smaller dogs usually live longer than large dogs. You can count on most small breeds of dog to live into their teens, with many living into mid-to-late teens. This is usually attributed to heart health, as large breeds hearts must work harder to circulate blood.
However, medium-small dogs such as Collies seem to have the longest maximum lifespan. The two oldest living dogs, according to Guinness World Records, were 24 and 29. Both were Australian cattle dogs.
Additionally, two out of three of the dogs with the highest median lifespan are Collies. These types of breeds have one major thing in common that likely contributes to their longevity: hardy breeding practices.
These breeds of mid-sized, lightweight herders and workers were bred to be smart, healthy and athletic. Their lineages were not bred for cuteness or other physical characteristics that are perceived as desirable but often result in health complications, such as snub noses and sloped backs.
Smaller mid-sized dogs also have less broad chest cavities which limits the risk of exercise-induced collapse and the collection of air between the outside of the lungs and chest wall known as pneumothorax.
So, the major contributing factors to a breeds longevity seem to be size, for circulation and heart-health, and breeding practices that avoid genetic disease.
Gerberian Shepsky Exercise Needs
Given that they are produced by high-energy parents, it isnt shocking to learn that Gerberian Shepskies need a lot of exercise.
You should always increase the duration of exercise gradually, but most Shepskies are willing to run for miles at a time. Many owners report that their Shepskies never seem to run out of energy they may accompany you for your morning run, come home and play with the kids for hours and then start chasing squirrels once everyone else is tired.
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