How Long Do German Shepherd Dogs Live

How Long Do German Shepherds Live 5 Signs Your Gsd Life Is Ending

Welcoming a German Shepherd into your family can be an exciting decision to make, but it also comes with a couple of important thoughts and expectations. Some of which would be its lifespan, how you can lengthen it, and how you can make the most out of its life.

How Long Do German Shepherds Live? German Shepherds reach their seniority once they turn 7 years of age, and while most GSDs live as long as a decade, the average lifespan would range from 9-13 years. Many dog owners would consider this a reasonably long life, but if you wish to cherish more time with your buddy, increasing your awareness of what commonly affects a German Shepherds longevity may help you stretch out its lifespan.

What To Do If Your German Shepherd Is Near The End Of His Life

When the end of the German Shepherds life span is near, you might want to start preparing yourselves for their eventual departure.

Some owners choose to purchase another dog prior to the passing of their senior pet, to alleviate their grief. Some prefer not to be distracted as they grieve.

Talk to your family members and see what is the most comfortable option for everyone.

Some choose to cremate their pet or hold a memorial for them. You can also have a burial in your yard. Pet cemeteries have also gotten quite popular in recent years.

But ultimately, the final decision lies with you and your family.

Overview: How Long Do German Shepherds Live

The life span of German Shepherds actually depend on their genetics. Those that come from healthy and long lived lines, will often surprise you with their longevity.

Puppy mill dogs dont have the same luxury, and youll be lucky if they make it past 6 years old.

On an average, you can expect your best friend to celebrate their 10th till 13th birthday with you.

However, the AKC contradicts this information by listing their lifespan around 7 to 10 years. Why the discrepancy? American dogs often suffer from obesity.

Breeders in the United States are also less regulated than Europe breeders, which contributes directly to their Alsatian breeds overall health.

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Average Dog Life Expectancy

Life expectancy in dogs varies greatly based on breed, lifestyle, diet, and overall health, so it’s to say what the average life expectancy is for dogs in general. Here we can see the average life expectancy for a wide variety of common dog breeds:

Life expectancy also varies based on if your dog is a pure bred or mixed breed dog. Research has indicated that mixed breed dogs tend to live longer than pure bred dogs, as pure breds tend to inherit more genetic disorders. This being said, you can ensure you adopt a healthy dog by doing thorough research on the breeder and diet/lifestyle needs of the breed, and breeders can do their part by testing their dogs for genetic disorders and breeding accordingly.

Are There Any Other Ways To Potentially Prolong The Life Of A German Shepherd

A shepherd lifespan is dependent on the health and well-being of the dog. Some will live beyond 12 with the right care, while others will suffer from health issues and may not reach the age of 10.

The day-to-day care and well-being of the dog can play a big role in determining this life expectancy.

A fit, healthy dog with the right exercise regimen and diet is more likely to stick around than one that doesnt get all the right exercise or the chance to stay slim.

These dogs need plenty of room to run around, walks that suit their ability and a diet that adapts to their time of life.

There are different dietary needs for each German Shepherd lifecycle stage. Pay attention to formulas and minerals to help prevent some of the issues mentioned above.

One important question for owners is to neuter or not to neuter.

It is often suggested that GSD owners should look into neutering their pets early to combat those issues of adolescence.

On top of that, there are some studies that suggest that neutered females live almost a year longer than intact females. There are also reduced risks of certain cancers, but some vets will point out the risks involved in going through with this procedure.

There is a chance that it will make no difference to a male German shepherd lifespan so talk things through with your vet.

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How Fast Do German Shepherds Age

Youve definitely heard the saying that one year for a dog year is the equivalent of seven human years.

While this is roughly true of older dogs, the rate at which a German Shepherd ages isnt the same every year.

Also, large dogs typically dont live as long as small dogs, and hybrids live longer than purebreds of comparable sizes.

A German Shepherd begins adolescence between five and eight months of age, and continues until adulthood at around 18-24 months.

Therefore, the AVMA estimates that your puppys first year is equal to about 15 years for a human. When your Shepherd reaches the age of two, theyre about 20 to 24 in human years.

From then on, your dog ages about 5 human years for each of their own years. Relative to a human, a ten-year-old German Shepherd is about 63 to 70 years old.

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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How Old Is A 10 Year Old German Shepherd In Human Years

This is a tough question to answer without knowing the actual age of the dog, but on average, a German Shepherd would be about 70 in human years. A 10-year old German Shepherd could easily be somewhere between 80 and 90 in human years. If you adjust for a more fit dog with a leaner build or an overweight pup with some extra padding, this number can shift by up to 10..

Can A German Shepherd Mate With A Wolf

The fact that dogs and wolves are essentially the same species means that they can interbreed. So this means that German shepherds and wolves could interbreed to create viable wolf-dog hybrids. However, there are issues with breeding wolves and dogs together. Wolf-dog hybrids do not act just like regular domestic dogs.

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How Much Is A German Shepherd Boxer Mix

For this loyal protector, the price tag is at $500 to $1,500. Anything lower than that must be suspicious and might mean you are dealing with a puppy mill.

In addition, it is only an upfront cost. Taking care of a dog is a lifetime commitment and wont be cheap with the things that they need from day to day.

So consider the other more expenses you will have to incur from the moment you take home a dog within its lifetime to be 100% sure you are in for the responsibility.

What Is The Life Expectancy Of A German Shepherd Dog

On average, healthy German Shepherd Dogs live approximately 9 13 years. Some make it longer and many others pass before they are 9.

My last German Shepherd, Fina, lived to 8.5 years of age when one day a tumor cut her life short. She was in otherwise excellent physical condition. Tragically, nothing could be done to help her. The veterinarian and vet tech cried with me when she passed they knew she was a family member. I dont think they do that with every dog as they see dogs daily in all stages of life, but many tears were shed when Fina died.

Fina squirming around on her back.

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The Development And Activities Of The Animal

As the German Shepherd grows, you should reduce the amount of exercises that they perform. During adulthood, the animal should not demand more of itself in order to avoid joint diseases. When taking walks, these can be shorter to avoid fatigue. Needless to say, opt to use a dog harness instead of a neck collar.

In conclusion, the life expectancy of a German shepherd is 13 years and can be extended to 15 with the necessary care. There are factors that can reduce the symptoms of aging and improve the quality of life at this stage.

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What Is A Working Line German Shepherd

When the German Shepherd breed was in development, the intended goal was to get a big, durable dog with high stamina and intuition for work. But while that did come about in the form of the early German Shepherd, the resultant dog had the capacity for breathtaking aesthetic beauty.

Soon, GSDs were bred for their visual appeal, which branched the show line and working line Shepherd dogs.

A working line German Shepherd is a GSD bred to have improved work ethic, better discipline, and excellent physical fitness. Unlike show line GSDs, working lines have a straighter topline, better limb-length consistency due to less angulation, are more athletic, and are prone to fewer diseases.

On the other hand, show line German Shepherds are bred to utilize the breeds potential for majestic visual appeal. This includes various fur colors , limb inconsistency that produces a lion-line posture, and better eye and face contrast that makes their pupils prominent.

Beauty isnt mutually exclusive with work, though. Other varieties of German Shepherds can have some utility as private property guards, just like a working line German Shepherd can be a beautiful addition to your family.

It is just that by dog pageant standards, the three types of working line GSDs wont match the snobbish standards of dog beauty. These are:

• East German Shepherd

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Why It’s Important To Visit Your Vet

When you next take your German Shepherd to the vet, it would be worth your time to ask about your dogs life expectancy, even if they are still fairly young. Your vet will be able to look at your dogs current health. They will be able to tell you what issues they might have had in the past or warn you of any that are in the early stages and tell you how long they expect your dog to live. Your vet should also be able to tell you exactly what you should be doing in order to help your dog live as long as possible.

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.

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How Long Do German Shepherds Live Tips For A Long Life

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?

Contents

How Can I Make My German Shepherd Live Longer

To help your GSD live longer do the following:

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Maintain Your German Shepherds Weight

More than half of all pet dogs are overweight or obese, and dogs face many of the same obesity-related diseases as people. Additionally, any unnecessary weight can add more strain to already aching joints in dogs prone to hip dysplasia or arthritis.

How can you tell if your German Shepherd is overweight? When viewed from the side or above while standing, they should have a tucked in waistline. You should also be able to feel your German Shepherds ribs.

Making sure your dog has a complete and balanced diet can be trickier than you expect when reducing their food intake, so if your GSD is overweight, talk to your vet about the best way to help them lose weight safely.

The Oldest German Shepherd

There are many factors that can affect this number. In fact, the oldest German shepherd recorded was able to celebrate its eighteenth birthday.

There are many owners that claim their German shepherds to have lived longer than 20 years, so the real oldest German shepherd might be older.

Regardless, you now know that theres really no 100% answer to the question how long do German shepherds live?

However, it also means that some may have lived shorter, despite living a normal life. But why exactly is it possible?

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How To Keep Your German Shepherd Feeling Their Best

When it comes to making your dogs daily life comfortable, there are a number of ways in which you can help them feel their best. Some examples include:

• Feed them a healthy diet that nourishes their body.
• Keep them at a healthy weight.
• Give them a minimum of 30 minutes of daily exercise.
• Give them daily dental chews to keep their teeth healthy.
• Implement basic obedience training to improve their behavior and boost their confidence.
• Establish a routine veterinarian in which you can see yearly, or if any illnesses occur.
• Consider joint supplements to keep their joints and bones strong.
• Keep up with their daily and monthly grooming needs.
• Adjust your home to fit their needs as they age.
• Offer them plenty of mental and physical stimulation to keep them occupied.

Reduced Health Risks From Getting Neutered Or Spayed:

Make sure to neuter or spay your German Shepherd at the appropriate time in their development. Neutering or spaying your dog too early can lead to problems.

Male German Shepherd house pets should be neutered after they are done growing which is typically between 12 and 15 months. Any earlier could have a negative impact on their skeletal growth.

Female German Shepherds should be spayed before they are 5 months old.

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Playtime And Keeping Their Mind Active

Often overlooked, playing games with your dogs like fetch or tug or keeping them busy with enrichment activities such as puzzle toys has been shown to improve your dog’s quality of life. It may help prevent cognitive degeneration in senior dogs and play a preventative role in some age-related diseases.

How Old Was The Oldest German Shepherd

Its hard to find out exactly how old the oldest German shepherd was because the Guinness Book of World Records doesnt really cover the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th oldest dog on record. Right now, an Australian Cattle Dog holds the world record for reaching age 29. However, there are unverified reports of GSDs living all the way up to 20.

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