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How Much Does A German Shepherd Live

Expenses You Will Incur While Living With Your German Shepherd Dog Food

How Long Do German Shepherds Live? (Signs Your GSD Life is Ending)

GSD is a high energy dog. Thus it needs lots of quality food to be energized.

First, puppies at their young age eat more than adults. The reason being they are super active and require lots of energy to explore their world.

On average, you may spend 45$ a month or $540 a year to feed your GSD. Also, remember you will be feeding your dog treats, which can cost 5-10 $ a month. However, for treats, ensure they dont exceed 10 % of recommended calorie levels.

The above-stated price can either shoot up or go down.

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.

What Is Their Conservation Status

In 2008, the old German Shepherd dog was listed as ‘extremely vulnerable to extinction by GEH. The modern German Shepherd dogs, also known as Alsatian, are not under any considerable threat of extinction. For the good German Shepherd temperament, they are mostly trained as herding dogs, companion dogs, search and rescue dogs, and sniffing dogs.

Recommended Reading: How Long Does It Take To Train A German Shepherd

The German Shepherd Cost Is A German Shepherd Worth It

German Shepherds are some of the worlds most intelligent and renowned dogs for a reason.

The German Shepherd cost may be a bit more on average than other breeds, but there is a reason this dog remains at number 2 out of 196 on the American Kennel Clubs list of most popular dogs.

This family-friendly, affectionate, intelligent and devoted purebred gives back so much more than he could ever take from his human family. When properly trained, socialized and exercised, he makes a wonderful companion for children and gets along well with other pets.

He makes an affectionate snuggle buddy while at the same time serving as an ideal protector. There is nothing, it seems, that the German Shepherd cannot do.

So, if you have your heart set on a German Shepherd, we say get your budget in order and go for it. You are sure to be rewarded beyond your wildest dreams.

The Development And Activities Of The Animal

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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.

Read Also: When Do German Shepherds Start Shedding

Find A Reputable Breeder

Since German Shepherds are such a popular breed, many breeders are only looking to make money from breeding the dogs and arent interested in improving the breed.

A dog bred simply for looks or money is more likely to suffer from genetic problems like hip dysplasia or degenerative myelopathy than German Shepherds bred to work and be as healthy as possible.

Because GSDs from American lines may have shorter lifespans than those from German lines, it may be worth your while to search for reputable breeders who have added German dogs to their breeding programs to help strengthen the breed and reduce the likelihood of genetic problems.

How can you make sure you avoid a backyard breeder or puppy mill dog? Here are some tips for finding a reputable German Shepherd breeder:

  • You should be able to visit the puppies on site
  • In addition to answering your questions, the breeder should ask you questions to make sure youll provide a good home for a German Shepherd
  • You wont find their puppies in a pet store
  • The breeder does health testing on the parent dogs
  • They will take the dog back if you cant keep it

Improper Breeding And Usual Health Issues

For instance, hip and elbow dysplasia is a prevalent illness among German Shepherds because of inbreeding. This condition would gradually cause pain and discomfort to your dog since the joints from the hips or elbows are incorrectly formed in this case, it would affect more of your dogs quality of life as it would eventually disable it.

For large dogs like German Shepherds, they are also prone to developing arthritis and decreased mobility. You might be wondering why this condition is most commonly found in large dogs, and this is simply because big dogs have a greater mass that can put a lot of stress on their joints and cartilages, which progressively leads to severe inflammation and dysfunction.

Unfortunately, arthritis worsens over time and would heavily manifest when your dog reaches its seniority. The severity of both dysplasia and arthritis might not directly cause a German Shepherds fatality, but when the pain has become evidently unbearable, most dog owners choose to euthanize their dogs to save them from prolonged suffering.

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What Dog Looks Like A German Shepherd But Is Smaller

The Belgian Malinois is a dog that shares strikingly similar physical features to the German Shepherd. In general, both breeds are similar in height however, the Malinois weighs around 10-15 pounds lighter.

The American Kennel Club has a comprehensive guide comparing these two look alike breeds. Check it out here.

A Short History Of The German Shepherd

Living with a German Shepherd

As the name of the breed suggests, the German Shepherd originates from Germany. The history of the breed dates back to the late 1800s. In the 1850s, German dog breeders were trying to standardize dog breeds to preserve the best traits that assisted their job of herding sheep. This was practiced within small communities of people in Germany where shepherds bred dogs.

German breeders wanted to have a dog that had the necessary skills for herding sheep such as intelligence, strength, speed, endurance, and a strong sense of smell. The breeders got results but the ability and the appearance of dogs differed from one community to another. As a result, the Phylax Society was formed in 1891 with the purpose of creating native dog breeds but it was disbanded in just a few of years due to internal disagreements on the traits of the dogs the organization should promote. Nevertheless, Germanys efforts to create a dog breed of the nations own continued.

In 1899, Max von Stephanitz, an ex-member of the Phylax Society and a former student of the Berlin Veterinary College, was shown a dog during one of his visits to a dog show named Hektor Linksrhein. The dog was agile, loyal, fast, intelligent, and appeared pleasing to the eye. The dog satisfied his beliefs of what a working dog should be, and he purchased him.

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Choosing The Right Breeder

Every good life starts with the search for the best breeder. Correct breeding is the very foundation of a healthy and well-tempered dog and genetics play a huge role in this.

To avoid all the possible inheriatble diseases, request health certificates of both parents that adhere to the standards of the German Shepherd breeding club of america.

Even if the parents are not affected by any disease, they could be carriers of recessive genes that will be passed onto the next generation.

Check the breeders knowledge on these breed-related health issues and make sure that no questions are left unanswered.

Read my guide on All 17 Questions You Need to Ask Your Potential Breeder which will help you determine a responsible breeder by asking the right questions.

Do your own research on the breed and acquire thorough knowledge on care, health, history and temperament of your chosen puppy.

Behavior issues are also among the top leading causes of death in dogs so temperament test any puppy before buying it. Good breeders will assist you with that and match you with the right puppy.

Maintain A Schedule Of Regular Exercise

German Shepherds are bred to be active dogs, so they need plenty of exercise. As an owner, you should plan on including at least one hour of exercise for your dog every day. That could include walking, jogging, hiking, or playing with toys. Shepherds can be great dogs for accompanying runners or for use as working dogs. They need this regular activity to stay healthy.

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What Will Their Coat Be Like

All Akita German Shepherds will have fluffy coats. They are also double-coated, which means that there will be quite a bit of fur to deal with. However, some pups may be fluffier than others. The coats are medium length.

With this mixed breed, the coats will either consist of a single color or a combination of shades. It is also possible to find Akita German Shepherds with the brindle color and pattern.

Depending on their parents, this mixed breed may consist of black, red, brown, grey, red, white, silver, and sable.

Aggression And Behavioral Problems

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Most of the dogs in the world are shot to death when they start behaving abnormally due to aggression or some hereditary or genetic behavioral and mental problems. In this condition, they start attacking people, biting human beings, and killing other animals. The only solution to deal with this problem when the dogs become uncontrollable is to shot the dog to death or euthanize it.

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How To Extend Your German Shepherds Lifespan

While the average life expectancy may be 11 to 13 years, I have seen some Shepherds still up and walking around reasonably well at as old as 17. Then again, I have seen young Shepherds succumb to diseases at as young as 5 years of age. When it comes to German Shepherd life expectancy like any dogs lifespan there are a few things you can do to ensure your dog lives as long as possible by keeping him as healthy as possible.

Do German shepherds like cats? Some get along great with them!Learn more about cats and dogs getting along here!

If you have a German Shepherd, youve probably already asked yourself about German Shepherd life expectancy. I hope this post helps you in that regard, as well as in helping you extend that life for as long as possible. Remember, they key to increasing German Shepherd life expectancy or any breed, frankly is proper care both at home and at the vet.

Did you have a German Shepherd who exceeded the life expectancy for the breed? How long did your GSD live?

How Long Do German Shepherds Live

Sam Shepards

Sam Shephard is an experienced German Shepherd owner and has learned throughout the years how to optimize the breed’s health and wellness.

Wondering how long your German Shepherd will live is the least of your worries when you buy a puppy. It’s also not something people like to think about before the inevitable happens. Having an idea of the average life span for this breed and how to make sure your dog stays healthy in old age can be helpful for owners.

Ten to thirteen years of age is the average when German Shepherds die.

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How Can You Extend Your Dog’s Lifespan

There are actually quite a few steps you can take to ensure your dog lives the longest, happiest life possible!

  • Do research before adopting. Make sure you’re adopting your German Shepherd puppy from a reputable breeder who performs routine health checks and breeds out any possible genetic disorders. If you’re looking to adopt a German Shepherd from a rescue, ask them if they have their medical history.
  • Feed them a healthy diet. Food is the best preventative medicine, so make sure you choose a nutritious food without fillers or preservatives. Adding fresh food on top of their kibble is also great for longevity! You can toss some fresh fruit or veggies on top, or you can prepare a healthy, homemade dinner for them.
  • Exercise them daily! Daily exercise is so important not only for your dog’s health, but their happiness too! A tired dog is a happy dog, so don’t skip those daily walks to the park.
  • Visit your vet on a regular basis. Typically, your dog will need to visit the vet as least once per year for a general wellness exam and routine vaccines. If you have any concerns about your dog and any symptoms they may be experiencing, don’t hesitate to make an appointment as soon as possible.
  • Is There A German Shepherd Alaskan Malamute Mix

    How Much Does A GERMAN SHEPHERD Cost?

    German Shepherds and Alaskan Malamutes are both loyal and loving dogs towards their families, and naturally the mix has this tendency as well. The exceptional intelligence and courage of the German Shepherd is a characteristic that may be passed on to the mix. So it is important to keep this dog active and mentally stimulated.

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    Why Do German Shepherds Have A Short Lifespan

    In general, small breeds tend to live significantly longer than large breeds. As an example: a Chihuahua may become 20 years old while a Great Dane would die more than 10 years earlier.

    Paradoxically, large animal species tend to live longer than small species. An elephant can easily live to be 80 years old while mice only have 2 short years.

    So why does this rule change within the same species? Researches actually dont know 100%.

    But a huge study with over 80,000 dogs has found that small and large dog breeds are differentially susceptible to certain diseases with large dogs being more prone to musculoskeletal diseases .

    The lifespan of a dog also seems to drastically decrease when body mass increases, especially in giant breeds like the aforementioned Great Dane.

    We will talk more about breed-related health issues of the German Shepherd below, but there is one problem that drastically shortens their lifespan: joint issues.

    You may have noticed that I have given you a fairly large lifespan estimation above. The AKC states the longevity from 7-10 years while other sites lean more to 10-13 years.

    This discrepancy may be due to the different breeding styles of the show lines and working lines.

    The AKC breed standard defines their backs appearance as follows The withers are higher than and sloping into the level back. The back is straight, very strongly developed without sag or roach, and relatively short.

    Their position statement is the following:

    History Of The German Shepherd

    The first German Shepherd was presented at Hanover, Germany, in 1882 after being bred in Karlsruhe. The objective was to produce a dog that was as handsome as it was responsive and obedient. Many different breeds combined to create the German Shepherd, including various local farm and herding dogs. The sheer variety in coat length and texture resulted in variation along the Shepherd lines. Originally, the Shepherd had longer hair, and in 1889 the first short-haired Shepherd was presented in Berlin.

    The first dog recognized as a German Shepherd was registered in April of 1899 by Captain Max von Stephanitz. They continued to be shown as a wire-haired and a long-haired breed up until 1915. These days, only the short-haired German Shepherd is shown. In 1908, the German Shepherd became an American Kennel Club-recognized breed in the herding class.

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    Places To Find German Shepherd Puppies For Sale Or Adoption

    Once you plan everything out financially, you are ready to find places where you can buy your German Shepherd puppy. Buying from breeders or adopting from a rescue are the best options for obtaining your dream dog.

    To help on your quest, here is a list of breeders certified by the American Kennel Club that offer high-quality German Shepherd puppies:

    • Vom Ragnar German Shepherds This is a small kennel located in Illinois dedicated to breeding show-quality German Shepherds with sound temperament and the best condition because they have their puppies undergo health testing. This breeder strives to match their GSD pups to the most suited families.
    • Mittelwest German Shepherds As a well-renowned breeder, the owner ensures that they only produce show quality German Shepherd puppies that can serve as show dogs, guard dogs, K-9, and much more. They also import and ship their dogs worldwide.
    • West Coast German Shepherds If you are located in California, this breeder can offer you a health-tested German Shepherd puppy coming from the best bloodlines. Like the previously mentioned breeders, West Coast GSDs are currently breeding dogs following the standards of the German SV.

    If you werent able to find your German Shepherd puppy from this list, you could check out my article on the 10 best German Shepherd breeders for more options.

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