The Lifespan Of A German Shepherd: How Long Do German Shepherds Live
The German Shepherd is a loyal and protective breed of dog that has become one of the most popular breeds in the world. German Shepherds are known for their intelligence, obedience, and trainability, making them ideal pets for families and individuals alike. But how long do German Shepherds live?
The average lifespan of a German Shepherd is between 9 and 13 years. However, some German Shepherds have been known to live to be 15 years or older. The key to a German Shepherds longevity is proper care and nutrition. German Shepherds are a relatively healthy breed of dog, but like all breeds, they are susceptible to certain health problems.
To ensure that your German Shepherd lives a long and healthy life, it is important to take them to the vet for regular check-ups and to keep up with their vaccinations. It is also important to feed them a high-quality diet and to provide them with plenty of exercise. By following these simple tips, you can help your German Shepherd live a long and happy life.
Accept When Your Dog Is Growing Older
At some point, you will simply have to accept that your dog is growing older and will eventually pass away. Many owners will have gotten their German Shepherds as brand new puppies and will have cared for them their entire lives. It can be as tragic as watching a human friend or family member grow old and pass away, especially because you have dedicated a lot of time to caring for this animal and you have forged a strong bond.
You Can Take Action To Help Your German Shepherd Live As Long And As Happy As Possible
German Shepherds are vulnerable to a host of problems that can prematurely shorten their lives, but not all is gloomy.
You can work proactively to help your German Shepherd live their life to the fullest with a reasonable expectation for optimal health.
Buying your dog from a reputable breeder may decrease the incidence of hip and elbow dysplasia. The AKC recommends screening X-rays for German Shepherds in breeding programs.
Conscientious breeders will also pay attention to the temperaments of their dogs.
Feed your Alsatian a high-quality dog food or raw diet under veterinary or nutritionist supervision. Optimizing nutritional value in your dogs food is one of the basic steps in preventing disease.
Many conditions arise from nutrient deficiencies if the dog cant absorb or digest the vitamins and minerals. The more balanced, high-quality, and natural a diet is, the more bioavailable the ingredients are.
Consider preventative nutraceuticals such as joint supplements, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants to delay the onset of degenerative diseases like arthritis.
Your German Shepherd should receive physical check-ups by a veterinarian multiple times per year. Remember how fast large-breed dogs can age compared to humans.
Frequent checks may catch some diseases early when you can still treat or manage them.
Limiting food intake and paying attention to how you time feeding with other activities is vital to preventing GDV.
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Regularly Visit Your Vet
Regular check-ups and consultations with your vet from the time your German Shepherd is a puppy until it has reached old age can help you maintain your dogs overall health.
A vet can help you with nutritional decisions, check for underlying conditions, give advice, or catch an ailment early while it is still treatable. If the vets bills are daunting, consider taking out health insurance for your dog.
Final Thoughts: German Shepherd Life Expectancy
Dogs have a relatively short lifespan compared to humans, and it is heartbreaking when a beloved pet passes away. However, you can make the most of your years together by ensuring that your German Shepherd is getting adequate health care. Dont neglect your dog as he gets older elderly dogs need mental and physical stimulation just as much as young dogs do.
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How Can You Extend German Shepherds Life Span
As more health issues cotinue to pop up, so are countermeasures. Its important to understand that you can prolong your German shepherds life span in many ways.
- Brushing the Teeth: For one, you can regularly brush the teeth of your German shepherd, since it may become a threat to the dogs internal organs if not taken care of.
- Healthy Weight: Another way to extend a German shepherds life span is to keep their weight healthy. This is because obesity can lead to many problems.
- Regular Exercise: One way to avoid obesity is having regular exercise. It will also increase the stamina of your German shepherd, which may prepare them for any unpreventable health conditions in the future.
- Veterinary Care: Its important to see the vet regularly since you might be missing out on obscure health conditions of your German shepherd. Give them vaccinations, checkups, and so on.
- Relax Time: They might be energetic and active, but they also need some time off.
These ways can help prolong a German shepherds life span, female or male. Just make sure you dont go overboard since it might do the opposite of what you intended.
Whether German shepherds have health issues or not, they are still lovable dogs. So theres no reason for you to not prolong their life.
After knowing the result of shorter German shepherd life span, you should now understand that you need to make some changes in their lifestyle.
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What Do German Shepherds Usually Die From
German Shepherd dogs have a few inherited issues, but overall, the breed is considered healthy. The most prevalent issues include epilepsy, dysplasia of the hip, elbow, and spine, and bloat.
They frequently have minor skin, stomach, ear, and eye disorders. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency is also frequent in German Shepherds one of the main reasons to feed them mild kibble.
During routine exams, your vet should look for heart issues and autoimmune thyroiditis. Regular screening and early detection of health issues will help save your dogs life. You should also be open to hemangiosarcoma and bone cancer screenings.
Causes Of Death In Gsds
Although German Shepherd dogs can inherit some health problems, the breed as a whole is generally healthy. However, epilepsy, hip, elbow, and spine dysplasia, and bloat are the most frequent conditions.
GSDs typically suffer from mild skin, stomach, ears, and eye conditions. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency is also common in German Shepherds. It is one of the primary reasons why it is important to offer them moderate kibble.
Your veterinarian should examine your dog for heart disease and autoimmune thyroiditis during routine examinations. Your dogs life is safe if you use preventative care on them and make an early diagnosis of any health problems. Your dog should also undergo screening for both bone cancer and hemangiosarcoma.
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Why Does A German Shepherds Tail Curl
Another genetic defect that the German Shepherds suffer from is the curled tail. A German Shepherds curled tail infers that he has a gay tail. It is carried higher, curving upwards. Since it is an inherited defect, it cannot be fixed right. Some pet owners may opt for surgeries. However, not all puppies have tail curls. It is just a mannerism that can be eliminated by training for some dogs. Clicker training can give the best results in maintaining the position of the German Shepherds tail. However, the owner may need patience and perseverance to train them.
Vet Visits And Immunizations
It is important to visit the veterinarian consistently because early health interventions lead to better outcomes. In addition, you can entirely avoid some diseases such as rabies and heartworms. Vaccinations on schedule and monthly preventative care will assist in reducing the occurrence of conditions that are not necessary.
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Teach Them Something New
Its not true that you cant teach an old dog new tricks. This might actually be the perfect time to teach them some new tricks. It will help keep their brain engaged something we all need as we progress into our elder years. Whether you just want to teach your German Shepherd to shake or you are going to refresh some of the tricks that he knew as a younger dog, spend some time each day teaching your dog and rewarding him for his progress and effort.
Size And Work Load Matter
This breed is considered a working type of dog hence, unlike Pugs or Chihuahuas, they exert more physical effort that would cause their bodies to tire sooner. This explains exactly why a well-cared-for GSD is still likely to live less long compared to smaller dogs. Moreover, some common ailments can be detrimental to a German Shepherds lifespan, and sadly, many of these issues are hereditary and are caused by improper breeding.
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Dogs Age At Different Speeds Throughout Their Lives
Dogs age at different speeds throughout their lives. Puppies and older dogs age much faster than dogs in the prime of their life, which is typically considered to be around six to eight years old.Puppyhood only lasts for a year or so, while old age can last up to ten years or more. This means that the majority of a dogs life is spent in the prime of their life. Dogs reach this stage at different ages depending on their breed and size, but typically its around six to eight years old.During the prime of their life, dogs are healthy and energetic. Theyre able to run and play for hours on end, and they have a youthful outlook on life. This is the time when theyre most able to learn new things and form strong attachments to their family.
As dogs age, they slow down a bit. They may not be able to run as far or as fast as they used to, and their energy levels may start to decline. However, this doesnt mean that theyre no longer able to enjoy life. Many senior dogs are content to just sit on the couch and relax, and they still love spending time with their families.
Ultimately, dogs age at different speeds throughout their lives, and theres no one right age for every dog. Some puppies will reach the prime of their life at six months old, while others wont reach it until theyre a year or two old. And some senior dogs will remain active and healthy until theyre ten or eleven years old, while others may start to decline at an earlier age.
How To Tell If Your German Shepherd Is Nearing The End Of Its Life
Its never easy losing a German Shepherd. In some cases, your dog might show gradual aging changes over time. In other cases, when they have a disease, you might notice your German Shepherd rapidly declining in health.
Some signs that your German Shepherd might be nearing the end of its life include:
- Lack of appetite
- Inability to stand or walk far
- Defecating and urinating uncontrollably
Of course, if your German Shepherd displays any of these symptoms, it doesnt automatically mean theyre on their deathbed. However, you should assess the situation and take them to the vet.
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German Shepherd Breed Characteristics
- German Shepherds stand around two feet tall. Males can reach 24 to 26 inches and females between 22 and 24 inches.
- A medium-to-large sized working dog, male German Shepherds weigh between 65 and 90 pounds and females between 50 and 70 pounds.
- German Shepherds have a double coat. The outer coat is dense and can be straight or a little wavy, whilst the undercoat is thick but soft.
- German Shepherds are one of the most common police dogs used for everyday duties. The trainability and intelligence of the breed make it the ideal candidate for police work.
- German Shepherds are considered one of the most intelligent dog breeds, along with the Border Collie and Poodle.
- Contrary to popular belief, German Shepherds are very loving and protective pets of their owners. However, they can display aggression if their aggressive tendencies arent kept in check.
How Long Does German Shepherds Live
German Shepherds are an intelligent, athletic breed of dog that make excellent companions. They have a lifespan ranging from 10 12 years and typically live to be 13 or 14.
The longest living german shepherd is a breed of dog. They are known to live for up to 11 years old. German shepherds are often used as guard dogs and pets.
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How Long Does A German Shepherd Live
The German Shepherd, is a large breed of dog. Strong and muscular in stature, they can be very imposing, and even aggressive at times. However many GSD owners will say their fearsome reputation is unwarranted, and they make beautiful family pets, that are great with children.
Before we look into the likely lifespan for a German Shepherd, lets have a brief overview of the history of this breed.
Yes, a German Shepherd is what most people think about when they hear the term working dog. There is a very good reason for this. Most law enforcement dogs you will encounter are of this wonderful breed. Thats not what they were meant to do though.
The German Shepherd was initially bred for the express purpose of helping farmers keep their livestock in line while they were out grazing. They were also meant to help protect the livestock from wild animals. That is where they get the reputation of being a very protective breed of dog.
This is probably one of the reasons why most people would love to have the German Shepherd as a pet. And they do make wonderful pets. They can be goofy when they want to, but their obedient nature, especially when trained, means they wont be getting into too much trouble.
However, having a pet doesnt mean you get to have them for the rest of your life. You are more likely going to be the person that the pet has for most of its life. Thats the saddest part about having a pet in your life.
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German Shepherd Lifespan: How To Extend It
Sam Shephard is an experienced German Shepherd owner and has learned throughout the years how to optimize the breed’s health and wellness.
Compared to many other large breeds, German Shepherds actually live fairly long and happy lives, especially if they are kept active and regularly visit the vet. While you may not want to think about your beloved pet entering his or her senior years, it is helpful to know exactly what you can expect when it comes to your dogs life expectancy and when you should start treating your German Shepherd like the senior that he or she is.
How Long Do German Shepherds Live?
Most German Shepherds live between 10 and 13 years.
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Spaying Or Neutering At The Right Age
Spaying or neutering your pup can greatly improve his life expectancy. A 70,000-animal study conducted by the University of Georgia yielded some notable results.
The life expectancy of male dogs who were neutered increased by 13.8 percent, while female dogs life expectancy increased by 26.3 percent.
Unaltered dogs have a shorter life expectancy for a variety of reasons, one of which is that they are more inclined to seek out new partners.
This leads to more dog fights, which might result in diseases or injuries.
Escape artists that manage to get out in the hopes of finding a mate are also in danger from traffic and other environmental factors.
Getting neutered or spayed lowers health risks by:
- Less risk of getting specific forms of reproductive system malignancies
- Eliminates the danger of testicular cancer
- Prostate cancer risks are lower when German Shepherds are neutered or spayed at the proper age. Having your dog neutered or spayed too soon can cause issues.
- At the age of 12 to 15 months, male German Shepherd house dogs can be neutered. Their skeletal growth could be jeopardized if they start too soon.
- Before reaching the age of five months or their first heat, female German Shepherds can be spayed.